Intern (Legal)

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)A (least hardship)

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate TypeInternship

Target Start Date2024-06-15

Job Posting End DateMay 30, 2024

Terms of ReferenceIMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• This position is advertised to internal and external applicants. Candidates must be legally present in México at the time of application, recruitment, and hire. Only Mexicans or candidates holding a permanent residency or valid work permit in México will be considered eligible.

• Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern, is subject to proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, independently of contract type and duration. The selected candidate(s) will be required to provide the proof of vaccination prior to recruitment.

• Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on the grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

• Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The recruitment process might include written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted.

• UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

• This position is offered under an Internship contract until 31/12/2024 with the possibility of extension.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is offering a full-time internship with the Legal Unit of the Central Office under the Protection Unit at UNHCR Mexico City.
Established in December 1950, UNHCR is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for asylum seekers, refugees, returnees, internally displaced communities and stateless people. Every year, millions of men, women and children are forced to flee their homes to escape conflict and persecution. UNHCR currently operates in over 130 countries, using its long expertise to protect and care for millions.

Organizational context.

The selected candidate's work will be fulfilled within UNHCR's Legal Unit in Mexico City, which is part of the wider protection team. The Legal Unit coordinates the legal assistance program for asylum seekers, refugees and stateless, as well as the development of legal advocacy and litigation strategies to strengthen the asylum system in Mexico.

The position

The candidate will support legal analysis, compilation of judgments, assess needs for legal reform affecting refugees, logistical and technical support in strategies related to strengthening the asylum system in Mexico, strategies to prevent refoulement, strategies against the detention of refugees and asylum seekers, and legal strategies to guarantee local integration. In addition, the intern will support the response to Mexico City and the coordination of visits to shelters in the city, when needed.

Duties and responsibilities

• Legal analysis of different issues related to the asylum system in Mexico.
• Support the different legal strategies implemented by UNHCR´s Legal Unit.
• Support in the coordination of legal partners.
• Support on the revision of projects implemented by legal partners.
• Support the humanitarian response in Mexico City, under the supervision of the legal Unit.
• Other duties as required.

Minimum qualifications required

In order to be considered for an internship, candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in a field relevant or of interest to the work of UNHCR.

• Be either a recent graduate in Law (having completed their studies within two years of applying) or a current law student in a graduate school programme from a university or higher education facility accredited by IAU/UNESCO; and

NOTE: An individual whose father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister is a staff member of UNHCR, including a Temporary Appointment holder or a member of the Affiliate Workforce, is not eligible for an internship.

Desirable qualifications and skills:

• Legal analysis capacity.
• Knowledge on refugee law.
• Knowledge on administrative law.
• Knowledge on international human rights law.
• 1 year experience in humanitarian work desirable.

Conditions

It is a full time role with working hours starting from 8:30am to 5:00pm Monday to Thursday and from 9:00am to 2:30pm on Friday (35 hours per week). The successful candidate will be assigned to support the team in UNHCR´s Country Office in Mexico City.

Allowance: Interns who do not receive financial support from an outside party will receive an allowance to partially help to cover the cost of food, local transportation and living expenses.

How to apply
Interested applicants should submit their application through www.unhcr.org/careers.html click on vacancies and search for JR.
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.

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.

Standard Job Description

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Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance

Home-BasedNo