Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)H (no hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeInternship
Target Start Date2025-02-03
Deadline for ApplicationsJanuary 30, 2025
Terms of ReferenceOrganizational context
The UNHCR Multi-Country Office based in Canberra, Australia, is responsible for the promotion and protection of refugee rights in the Pacific region which includes Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
The MCO Durable Solutions Unit (DSU) covers all solutions across the Pacific including Australia and New Zealand resettlement programs and to ensure that solutions and self-reliance are being considered at the earliest stage of the refugee journey. In addition to durable solutions, the MCO DSU covers protection work in the 14 Pacific Island Countries (PICs) under the MCOโs coverage. This includes building asylum systems across the Pacific, supporting government counterparts with mandate or joint refugee status determination (RSD) processes, influencing the regional protection space via shaping legislation and policy, and strengthening relationships with PIC governments and other stakeholders to promote UNHCRโs protection agenda and minimize the risk of refoulement and detention. In addition, and in view of the compelling humanitarian circumstances of individuals who have been subject to Australiaโs offshore processing arrangements and in light of the March 2022 resettlement agreement between Australia and New Zealand, the DSU continues working with governments to achieve durable solutions for those affected including a resolution process and human rights safeguards for any who are not accepted for resettlement.
Moreover, the DSU is responsible for Incoming Resettlement and Complementary Pathways work. The DSU receives emergency case referrals from UNHCR operations globally for submission to either Australia or New Zealand. Given the emergency nature of such referrals, UNHCR Canberra ensures expedited processing and submission.
In terms of Voluntary Repatriation, the MCO monitors and establishes coordination mechanisms through regional forums and with various governments in the Pacific to ensure that refugees considering return to the country of origin are able to take an informed decision free from coercion and supported in a way that will uphold the principles of voluntariness, dignity and safety.
Regarding local integration, the MCO actively engages with Papua New Guinea, Fiji and other PICs to ensure that local integration for all refugees is effective in its four dimensions (Legal, Economic, Social, Civil and Political). The MCO intervenes in various countries, providing advice and technical guidance to the Government and develops a joint strategy in consultations with relevant stakeholders and persons served. The solutions unit further aims at leveraging support from Australia and New Zealand to promote good practices in terms of self-reliance, settlement and integration.
The position
This internship position will support the MCO Canberra Durable Solutions Unit across its four key sub-unit thematic areas of work including: Offshore, Incoming Resettlement and Complementary Pathways, Pacific Protection and Papua New Guinea. The internship will therefore entail varied and interesting work, supporting the broader DSU Unit and acquiring insights into UNHCRโs protection and solutions activities on a daily basis, working alongside a large number of different staff members. The position will involve cross-cutting work relevant to enhancing the efficiency of workflows and the capturing and visualization of data across the DSU team. It will also involve substantive and logistical support on a range of DSU team engagements with stakeholders on pursuing protection and solutions outcomes for the people UNHCR serves.
Duties and responsibilities
The DSU Intern will be mentored by different staff in the DSU Unit to undertake their duties, and in turn will support the Unit across its relevant Pillars in:
โข Developing tools and enhancing systems in place to support a more efficient and effective workflow;
โข Data management support including the development of infographics and related visual tools to support internal and external advocacy with stakeholders on the protection situation for people UNHCR serves;
โข Support development of electronic and hard copy informational materials to enhance awareness among asylum seekers and refugees of their key rights, but also to raise awareness at community and Government levels on protection matters;
โข Support in DSU engagements including mission preparation and logistical and coordination support;
โข Conduct Country of Origin (COI) information research and other research as needed, to support Eligibility Officers in their Refugee Status Determination and resettlement (RST) case processing procedures;
โข Prepare presentation materials such as PowerPoints, fact sheets and related materials;
โข Assist with scheduling for the DSU team (counselling, mission appointments, protection monitoring and interviewing);
โข Support in protection counselling to asylum seekers and refugees and supporting to enhance counselling lines and tools including group-based counselling;
โข Support to enhance and update the UNHCR website materials relating to information available to the people UNHCR serves but also external audiences;
โข Support in research and compilation of analytical papers on thematic protection and solutions matters;
โข Assist in reviewing and documenting data management procedures and policies, ensuring that written guidance is available for all procedures in place;
โข Support to contact refugees and asylum-seekers subject to offshore processing to assist them to complete Expressions of Interest (EOI) in New Zealand as needed, provide them with information on the New Zealand process and ensure that they are informed on the voluntariness of participation in the resettlement process;
โข Assist with New Zealand resettlement selection missions as needed, including basic pre-interview counselling; and
โข Support in preparation of file notes, reports, administrative tasks, and any other relevant activities, as required.
Minimum qualifications required.
In order to be considered for an internship, candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:
โข Be either a recent graduate (having completed their studies within two years of applying) or a current student in a graduate/undergraduate school programme from a university or higher education facility accredited by IAU/UNESCO ; and
โข Have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in a field relevant or of interest to the work of UNHCR .
โข Candidates with previous UNHCR Internship experience must not have exceeded the
maximum total cumulative full-time internship duration of eight (8) months.
Desirable qualifications and skills
โข Applicants should have relevant studies in law or the legal field, international relations, human rights, or related field(s);
โข Have experience and/or a demonstrated interest in asylum and refugee protection or broader human rights.
โข Data management skills and advanced computer and related skills are desirable.
โข Strong interpersonal and communication skills are desirable traits for this role.
Conditions
It is a full-time role with working hours starting from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday (37.5 hours per week). The successful candidate will be assigned to support the team in Canberra, Australia.
The Internโs allowance for Canberra internship location is AUD 2261.38 per month (50% of the monthly net salary of GS Level 3, Step 1 per month).
Internships normally last two to six months with the possibility of extension up to eight months for full-time internships and twelve months for part-time internships.
How to apply
The selected candidate will receive a link to the UNHCR recruitment portal to create a profile.
Obligations
Acquiring and renewing current visas, residence permits including all associated costs, obtaining medical certification and compliance with taxation requirements (if applicable), are the responsibility of the intern.
The selected candidate will need to provide UNHCR with a proof of funding from the sponsoring institution (if applicable), health insurance coverage applicable to the assigned internship location and a certificate of good health from a qualified medical practitioner certifying their fitness for work, as well as travel. In the event the candidate is not able to produce the required certificate, they will not be admitted to the Internship Programme.
Allowance and Travel: The Sponsoring Institution shall provide non-reimbursable financial support in the form of a stipend/scholarship/allowance/etc. for the period of internship with UNHCR. Travel expenses to and from the internship location shall be the responsibility of the respective sponsoring institution. UNHCR is not responsible for any renumeration for the intern during the internship period.
If you are a person with a disability and you expect you may face challenges during the recruitment process, you can indicate it in your application form.
There are options to select any health conditions you may have and outline any necessary adjustments related to disabilities during the recruitment phases. Providing this information is optional. It will be treated as strictly confidential and used only for the purpose of finding out how to better assist you during the recruitment process.
Adjustments for candidates with disabilities will be provided as best as possible and as needed upon request.
All candidates will be assessed based on meeting the requirements for each vacancy in relation to experience, skills, and education.
UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, or training).
We welcome applications from candidates with a refugee or stateless background.
The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Standard Job Description
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Desired Languages English
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Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Certifications
Work Experience
Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance
Home-BasedNo