Internship

Job Posting Organization:
The UNHCR Representation in France was established on October 1, 195

• Its mission is to provide advice and advocacy to French institutions and to inform and raise awareness among the general public, benefiting individuals under its mandate. The organization operates in various capacities, focusing on legal and political affairs related to asylum in France, including overseas territories, and its alignment with EU law and international protection standards. It engages in regular dialogue with competent authorities and contributes to advocacy activities regarding asylum policy in France, particularly concerning the implementation of the European Pact on Migration and Asylum, resettlement, and the development of legal pathways to protection. The UNHCR works closely with institutional and associative partners, as well as the UNHCR Regional Bureau for Europe.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position is within the Legal and Political Affairs Unit of the UNHCR Representation in France. The intern will support the unit in legal analysis, advocacy, and institutional coordination activities, particularly related to asylum procedures in France, EU law, and the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum. The role involves contributing to the training of CNDA members, conducting legal research, drafting analytical notes on asylum law and procedures, monitoring legislative and political developments in asylum matters, and participating in the preparation of meetings and external interventions. The intern will also engage in transversal activities of the unit as needed, including status verifications in first asylum countries for applicants.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern's duties include:

• Contributing to the implementation of initial and ongoing training for CNDA members.
• Conducting legal research and drafting analytical notes related to asylum law and procedures in France, including overseas territories, as well as EU law.
• Monitoring legislative, jurisprudential, and political developments in asylum matters, particularly regarding the implementation of the European Pact on Migration and Asylum.
• Assisting in the preparation of meetings, events, and external interventions, including drafting minutes and summary notes.
• Participating in transversal activities of the unit as required.
• Engaging in status verifications in first asylum countries for applicants.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates should be recent graduates (i.e., individuals who have completed their studies within the two years preceding their application for the UNHCR internship) or currently pursuing higher education at a university or higher education institution accredited by UNESCO. They must have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in a relevant field or one that is of interest to the organization's work, such as human rights law, public international law, international relations, or political science. Additionally, candidates should possess in-depth knowledge of the asylum procedure in France and the actors involved, strong writing skills in both French and English, research, analysis, and synthesis capabilities, organizational skills, autonomy, responsiveness, and adaptability.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field such as human rights law, public international law, international relations, or political science. Candidates should have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in a pertinent area, demonstrating a solid understanding of the legal and political frameworks surrounding asylum.

Experience:
The position is aimed at recent graduates or students currently pursuing higher education, thus requiring no extensive prior work experience. However, familiarity with legal research, asylum procedures, and relevant political contexts will be beneficial. The ideal candidate should demonstrate a proactive approach to learning and a strong interest in the field of asylum and refugee protection.

Languages:
The internship requires a minimum C2 level proficiency in French and a minimum B2 level proficiency in English according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). C2 proficiency indicates the ability to understand virtually everything read or heard with ease, summarize information from various sources coherently, and express oneself fluently and precisely. B2 proficiency entails understanding the essential content of complex texts, engaging in spontaneous conversation with native speakers, and articulating opinions on current issues clearly and in detail.

Additional Notes:
The internship is a full-time position requiring 40 hours per week, with a duration of 5 to 6 months. The ideal start date for the internship is March 17, 2026, and the application deadline is February 27, 2026, at midnight Paris time. Interns who do not receive financial support from third-party organizations will receive a stipend to partially cover food, local transportation, and living expenses, currently set at approximately €1480 per month. It is important to note that applying for an internship or any position at UNHCR does not require any payment at any stage of the application or recruitment process. For inquiries regarding the recruitment process, candidates should contact the administrative service via email. Due to the high volume of applications, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted, with interviews for the internship scheduled for late February 2026.