Protection Intern

Job Posting Organization:
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, was established in December 1950 with the mission to save lives, protect rights, and build a better future for asylum seekers, refugees, returnees, internally displaced communities, and stateless people. It operates in over 130 countries, leveraging its extensive experience to care for millions of forcibly displaced individuals. The organization is dedicated to ensuring that the rights of these vulnerable populations are upheld and that they receive the necessary support and protection in their time of need.

Job Overview:
The Protection Intern position at UNHCR’s Multi-Country Office in Washington, D.C. is a full-time internship that will last approximately 2.5 to 3 months, starting in May 202

• The intern will be part of the Protection and Solutions Unit (PSU), which focuses on providing assistance to asylum-seekers, refugees, and stateless persons in the U.S. and the northern Caribbean. The intern will support the Individual Case (IC) team, which plays a crucial role in disseminating information about U.S. laws and policies regarding refugee protection. This position involves responding to inquiries from various stakeholders, including congressional offices and NGOs, and assisting with individual casework. The intern will also attend meetings, provide read-outs, and support various projects as needed, contributing to the overall mission of UNHCR to ensure that the rights of forcibly displaced individuals are protected and that they have access to necessary resources and information.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including: responding to individual queries from forcibly displaced and stateless individuals; addressing inquiries from congressional offices and NGOs that may require outreach to UNHCR country offices; opening and maintaining individual case files in UNHCR’s case management database and conducting data analysis; observing and reporting on relevant meetings and conferences with NGOs and other stakeholders; and supporting other projects as needed to assist the team and the individuals UNHCR serves. This role is integral to the functioning of the PSU and provides a unique opportunity to engage with critical issues surrounding refugee protection and support.

Required Qualifications:
To be eligible for this internship, candidates must meet specific criteria: they should be either a recent graduate (having completed their studies within the last two years) or a current student in a graduate or undergraduate program at a university accredited by IAU/UNESCO. Additionally, candidates must have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in a field relevant to UNHCR's work. It is important to note that candidates who have previously interned with UNHCR must not have exceeded a total of eight months of full-time internship experience.

Educational Background:
Candidates should possess a strong academic background relevant to the work of UNHCR. This includes having completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in fields such as international relations, law, human rights, or social sciences. A focus on forced displacement, refugee law, or international human rights is particularly desirable, as it aligns closely with the mission and activities of UNHCR.

Experience:
While prior experience is not strictly required, candidates with exposure to forced displacement issues, whether through academic study or work experience, will be viewed favorably. This could include internships, volunteer work, or coursework that demonstrates a commitment to understanding the complexities of refugee protection and human rights.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, candidates with developed Spanish language skills are preferred, as this can enhance communication with diverse populations and stakeholders involved in refugee protection efforts.

Additional Notes:
This internship is a full-time role, requiring a commitment of 40 hours per week, with working hours from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday. The intern will receive a monthly allowance of $1,642.75 USD for the Washington DC duty station, and travel costs to and from the internship location will be the responsibility of the sponsoring institution. Internships typically last between two to six months, with the possibility of extension for full-time internships up to eight months and twelve months for part-time internships. Candidates are responsible for acquiring and renewing any necessary visas and health insurance, and must provide proof of funding from their sponsoring institution if applicable. UNHCR does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and encourages applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds, including those with disabilities.