UNHCR 2026-2027 Legal Fellowships

Job Posting Organization:
The UNHCR, or the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, is an international organization established in 1950 with the mission to protect and support refugees and displaced persons worldwide. The organization operates in over 130 countries and has a workforce of more than 18,000 employees. UNHCR's primary goal is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees, ensuring they find safe refuge and can rebuild their lives. The agency also works to find durable solutions for the forcibly displaced, including voluntary repatriation, local integration, or resettlement to a third country. UNHCR is committed to promoting international cooperation and solidarity in addressing the challenges faced by refugees and stateless persons, and it advocates for the rights of these vulnerable populations on a global scale.

Job Overview:
The UNHCR 2026-2027 Legal Fellowships offer post-graduate law students or recent graduates the opportunity to work full-time in the Protection and Solutions Unit (PSU) at UNHCR’s Multi-Country Office in Washington, D.C. This fellowship is designed to provide fellows with substantial professional development opportunities while contributing to UNHCR's strategic objectives. The fellowship will last for one year, commencing in September 2026, and fellows will be expected to secure external funding for the duration of their fellowship. The PSU team focuses on serving asylum-seekers, refugees, and stateless persons in the United States and the northern Caribbean, ensuring that domestic law and policy align with international refugee law. Legal Fellows will engage in various activities, including law and policy analysis, monitoring protection conditions, and providing individual case support, all aimed at enhancing the protection of forcibly displaced individuals.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Legal Fellows will be responsible for supporting PSU’s overall protection and solutions strategy, particularly in relation to the United States and its regional engagement. Their duties will include advising on the alignment of domestic asylum systems with international standards, providing comments on proposed legislation, submitting amicus briefs on international legal issues, and sharing information on global and regional displacement trends. Additionally, fellows will conduct trainings on statelessness, gather information on the protection situation of displaced persons, and develop policy options for relevant authorities. They will also provide guidance on asylum laws and procedures to individuals seeking protection, and may engage in research and legal analysis at the intersection of international and domestic law.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must be degree candidates or recent graduates from a U.S. law school, with a strong academic background in international law, refugee law, and human rights. Additional coursework in U.S. immigration law is preferred. Experience in U.S. asylum and refugee law, as well as direct service experience with asylum-seekers or stateless individuals, is highly desirable. Candidates should possess excellent oral and written communication skills, strong research and legal analysis abilities, and be detail-oriented. The ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, and prioritize effectively with minimal supervision is essential.

Educational Background:
A Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited U.S. law school is required for this position. Candidates should have completed relevant coursework in international law, refugee law, and human rights, with additional coursework in U.S. immigration law being advantageous.

Experience:
Candidates are expected to have experience in the immigration and refugee field, particularly in areas related to asylum and refugee law. Experience with legal clinics or direct service roles involving asylum-seekers or stateless individuals will be beneficial. Prospective fellows should articulate their relevant experiences and the skills they wish to develop during the fellowship in their applications.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, while proficiency in Spanish is essential for fellows focusing on U.S. southern border and protection policy issues in the Americas. Spanish language skills are also highly desirable for other areas of work within the fellowship.

Additional Notes:
The fellowship is a one-year commitment starting in September 2026, and candidates must demonstrate a guaranteed funding source for the entire duration of the fellowship in their application. UNHCR does not provide any financial support for the fellowship, and candidates are responsible for their housing, legal stay in the U.S., health insurance, and any necessary documentation. The fellowship does not create any expectation of employment with UNHCR upon completion. Candidates must have work authorization in the United States for the full duration of the fellowship.