Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)H (no hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeInternship
Target Start Date2023-06-05
Job Posting End DateJune 2, 2023
Terms of ReferenceOperational Context:
Greece has been one of the main entry points of refugees wishing to reach the EU. UNHCR has supported - and will continue doing so - the Government, which leads the refugee response working closely with the EU, state and municipal actors, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, refugees, local communities. While Greece is still considered a transit country, it has also become a country of asylum. UNHCR estimates that some 70,000-80,000 refugees, including those with subsidiary and temporary protection status, are currently living in Greece, in addition to some 30,000 asylum-seekers. While most refugees and asylum-seekers are in the mainland, living in and outside camps, there are currently over 4,500 in the islands. The large majority of the latter live in camps. UNHCR Greece is focused on a protection-driven approach around two pillars: 1. access to international protection and 2. durable solutions with a focus on integration. UNHCR uses a mix of operational engagement, CB protection efforts, expert advice provision to the Government, monitoring and improved data collection, targeted interventions, and advocacy, aiming to support Greece in fulfilling its obligations to provide protection and solutions to persons in need of international protection. Child protection, prevention of sexual and gender-based violence and sexual exploitation and abuse, and institutional capacity strengthening in these areas will continue to be priority, in line with the Officeโs age, gender and diversity mainstreaming approach. In doing so, UNHCR seeks to build on the strengths and capacities of refugees, working together and in consultation with them.
Specifically in the area of responsibility of Field Office Thessaloniki (FOT) which extends to Macedonia, Epirus, and Thessaly, there are 16 Controlled Facilities for the Temporary Accommodation of Asylum-Seekers (CFTAAs) and a Reception and Identification Centre, altogether hosting some 5,000 asylum-seekers and refugees, with main nationalities being from Afghanistan, DR Congo, Iraq, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Syria and Eritrea. The population residing in the urban context has been reduced in comparison to previous years after the closure of ESTIA, but specially in Thessaloniki there are several humanitarian actors providing services and implementing projects in support of refugees. FOT has implementation partnerships in the areas of legal aid, child protection, GBV prevention and response, as well as in integration and durable solutions, while collaboration with the local authorities in support of refugee integration is extending across northern Greece and is officialized through Memorandums of Cooperation with nine (9) Municipalities.
UNHCR's Internship Programme offers eligible students and recent graduates at the Country Offices the unique opportunity to gain hands-on practical work experience in the humanitarian sector in an international environment and to understand UNHCR's core mandate. This learning opportunity aims to attract talented candidates who bring diverse profiles and knowledge, innovative thinking, and different ideas to the UNHCR's workplace.
Functional Statement:
The Protection Intern will be part of the Protection Team of UNHCR Field Office Thessaloniki, contributing to a wide spectrum of activities including outreach, communication with communities, community-based protection, monitoring in sites and in the urban, in northern Greece. The incumbent will be involved in protection monitoring activities, focusing on the liaison and communication with asylum-seekers and refugees, facilitating the exchange of a wide range of information, some of which may be complex and sensitive. She/he will be reporting to a Senior Protection Assistant. The role requires high ethical standards, discretion, and the ability to handle highly confidential information in a professional manner.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Intern will perform the following duties:
โข Support UNHCR Protection staff in the communications with communities to improve dissemination of accurate and relevant information and reception of structured feedback.
โข Facilitate meetings, info-sessions and Focus Group Discussions with asylum-seekers and refugees, in person or remotely. Liaise and coordinate with community volunteers.
โข Draft reports and minutes of meetings in English and Greek.
โข Translation of relevant texts, including legal texts, from English to Greek and vice versa.
โข Participate in regular protection monitoring activities in urban areas, in CFTAAS (Controlled Facilities for Temporary Accommodation of Asylum Seekers) and RIC (Reception and Identification Centres).
โข Compile and enter the statistical data into the protection database, draft routine correspondence, update relevant databases within the AoR.
โข Facilitate the communication of UNHCR staff with asylum-seekers and refugees with interpretation services.
โข Refer cases to protection staff for assistance, as needed.
โข Research, comprehensive and snap-shot analysis on various topics of protection interest (Borders, Legal Protection, Community-based protection, UASC, social rights, asylum, etc.)
โข Compile a report to be submitted by the end of the internship, focusing on the specific challenges faced by asylum-seekers and refugees and the good practices identified with regards to the outreach conducted in the urban context in Thessaloniki, utilizing all available sources (services offered, humanitarian actors present, information collected via protection monitoring activities) under the guidance of the supervisor.
โข Provide organizational and logistical support for the preparation of trainings organized by the Office.
โข Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum qualifications required
โข Ability to work with people from different cultural backgrounds.
โข Fluency in English and Greek is essential. Fluency in one or more of the following languages is desirable: Farsi, Arabic, French, Lingala, Dari, Turkish, Somali, Pashto.
โข Previous experience as volunteer is an asset.
โข Commitment to Continuous Learning.
โข Strong listening and communication skills.
โข Computer literacy.
Eligibility Requirements:
In order to be considered for the internship, candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be a recent graduate* or current student in a graduate/undergraduate school programme from a university or higher education facility accredited by UNESCO;
- Have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in a field relevant or of interest to the work of the Organization;
- Not have immediate relatives (father, mother, brother, or sister) working for UNHCR as a staff member on any contract type or as an affiliate at the time of application.
(* Recent graduates are to be considered those persons who graduated within two years of applying for an internship with UNHCR. )
Additional Information:
The duration of this internship is 6 (six) months on a part-time basis (20 hours per week)
The hiring office will provide to interns, who do not receive financial support from a third party, a Food and Local Transportation Allowance calculated in USD and normally payable in local currency via bank transfer.
Shortlisted candidates will have to undergo an oral interview.
Recruitment as a UNHCR intern is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19.
Standard Job Description
Required Languages English
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Desired Languages Greek
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Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Certifications
Work Experience
Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance