UNHCR RSD Intern

Job Posting Organization:
The UNHCR Multi-Country Office (MCO) based in Italy oversees operations in Italy, the Holy See, Malta, and San Marino. Established to address the complexities of migration and refugee movements, the organization plays a crucial role in providing protection and assistance to refugees and asylum seekers. The office operates in a region characterized by diverse asylum systems and legal frameworks, and it is involved in various activities aimed at enhancing the capacity of national systems to handle asylum requests effectively. The UNHCR's mission is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees, ensuring that they find safety and the opportunity to rebuild their lives. The organization has a significant presence in multiple countries and collaborates with various stakeholders to promote refugee protection and support.

Job Overview:
The UNHCR RSD Intern position is designed for individuals who are eager to contribute to the legal review and updating of training materials related to international protection and asylum procedures. The intern will work closely with the RSD team, particularly focusing on enhancing the quality and relevance of training resources that are essential for various actors involved in the asylum process in Italy. This role is pivotal in ensuring that training materials reflect the latest legislative, policy, and jurisprudential developments, particularly in light of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. The intern will be expected to engage in substantive content review, updating existing materials, and preparing background resources that facilitate effective training sessions. This position offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field of refugee protection and asylum law while contributing to the capacity development of key stakeholders in the asylum process.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of the RSD Associate and in close coordination with the RSD focal point for capacity development, the intern will be responsible for the following duties:

• Review existing training materials on international protection and asylum procedures, ensuring they are aligned with current legislative, jurisprudential, policy, and operational developments.
• Identify sections of the training materials that require revision and support the RSD team in implementing necessary updates.
• Contribute to the substantive updating of training materials, ensuring legal accuracy, clarity, and consistency.
• Assist in preparing background materials for facilitators, including relevant legislation, case law, policy documents, and guidance.
• Adapt training materials for course participants, tailoring content to the specific roles and responsibilities of different actors in the asylum procedure.
• Develop practical training tools, including case studies and discussion scenarios based on relevant legal and procedural issues.
• Organize and consolidate legal resources and reference materials to facilitate their use in training and capacity-development activities.

Required Qualifications:
To be eligible for this internship, candidates must meet the following qualifications:

• Be a recent graduate (having completed studies within two years of applying) or a current student in a graduate or undergraduate program from an accredited university or higher education facility.
• Have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in a field relevant to the work of UNHCR.
• Candidates with previous UNHCR internship experience must not have exceeded a total cumulative full-time internship duration of eight months.
• Fluency in Italian and a good command of English are required.
• Note that individuals with a familial relationship to current UNHCR staff members or affiliates are not eligible for this internship.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in a relevant field, such as Law or a related discipline. A strong academic background in international protection, human rights, or asylum law is highly desirable. Recent graduates or current students pursuing degrees in these areas will be given preference, as they will bring relevant knowledge and insights to the internship role.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have some level of experience in legal research and analysis, particularly in reviewing legislation, case law, and policy documents. While prior internship experience is beneficial, it is not mandatory. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong analytical skills and the ability to work collaboratively within a team environment. Experience in drafting and editing legal documents or training materials is also advantageous.

Languages:
Fluency in Italian is mandatory, and a good command of English is required. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the context of refugee protection and asylum procedures in Italy.

Additional Notes:
This internship is a full-time position with working hours from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, totaling 37.5 hours per week. Interns who do not receive financial support from an outside party will receive an allowance to cover food, local transportation, and living expenses. Selected interns must provide proof of medical insurance coverage valid for the internship location. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Italy, and UNHCR does not charge any fees during the recruitment process. All applications must be submitted in English, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessment, which may include an interview and a written test. UNHCR encourages applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences, including those with a refugee or stateless background.