Opportunities to Make a Difference: Exploring the Refugees International Internship Program and Beyond
Refugees International and UNHCR offer various internship programs, providing invaluable opportunities to contribute to the humanitarian sector. These programs allow individuals to apply their talents to a transformational organization, advocating for lifesaving assistance and protection for refugees and other displaced people, while adhering to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence.
Refugees International’s Commitment to Advocacy and Leadership
Refugees International stands as a beacon of hope for displaced populations worldwide. The organization advocates for lifesaving assistance, human rights, and protection for displaced people and promotes solutions to displacement crises. A key component of their work is empowering refugee voices and fostering leadership within affected communities.
The Refugee Fellows Program: Amplifying Refugee Voices
Refugees International’s Refugee Fellows Program plays a vital role in enriching and supporting the advocacy efforts of refugee leaders around the world. This year-long fellowship equips fellows with the necessary tools and resources to amplify the perspectives of refugees and displaced individuals and drive meaningful change in their communities. Fellows are formally affiliated with Refugees International and collaborate closely with our staff on various advocacy initiatives, including reports, opinion pieces, events, research trips, and direct engagement with policy makers.
The Fellows Alumni Network: A Continued Connection
The Fellows Alumni Network represents a dynamic community designed to sustain and deepen the connections formed during Refugee International’s Refugee Fellows Program. This network serves as a platform for alumni to continuously engage with Refugees International’s mission and with one another, fostering ongoing collaboration and support.
Internship Opportunities at Refugees International
Refugees International offers diverse internship opportunities for individuals eager to contribute to their mission. One such opportunity involves joining the program team as an intern focused on Latin America migration policy. In this role, interns work closely with the Senior Advocate for Latin America, conducting research related to refugee resettlement, pathways, security dynamics, and other humanitarian challenges. The internship provides exposure to migration policy challenges, with a particular focus on Mexico, Costa Rica, and Venezuelan displacement. The internship will focus on research, policy tracking, assisting in organizing and attending high level meetings, and writing opportunities.
Read also: Requirements for UNHCR Internships
UNHCR Internship Program: A Global Perspective
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) also offers internships at various locations, including UNHCR headquarters in Geneva, the Global Service Centres in Amman, Budapest and Copenhagen, or in field country offices. These internships provide a global perspective on refugee issues and allow individuals to contribute to the organization's vital work.
Eligibility and Requirements
Internships are open to all nationalities. 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. It is important to note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing or training).
Financial Considerations
The allowance for part-time internships is calculated at 50% of the applicable rate of the full-time allowance at the respective duty station. Unless provided or paid by their sponsoring entities, UNHCR will also reimburse interns engaged from a location outside the country of the duty station for return travel costs to/from the duty station by the most economical route available irrespective of the duration of the journey. It is the intern’s responsibility to arrange for a visa and to cover related visa costs. Before the start of an internship with UNHCR, candidates are responsible for arranging medical insurance and for providing proof to UNHCR of valid medical insurance covering the period of the contract. UNHCR accepts no responsibility for any costs connected to medical insurance of interns, nor does the organization cover the costs for medical evacuation of interns.
Diverse Experiences and Responsibilities
Interns at UNHCR engage in a wide range of activities, contributing to various aspects of the organization's work. One intern shared their experience of working as a part of the Community-Based Protection team, contributing to ensuring that the voices and capacities of refugees, IDPS, and stateless people are incorporated into all facets of protection work. Another intern was involved in procurement processes for core relief items including fuel efficient cookstoves and portable solar lamps with mobile charging, knowing that refugees would have access to these items, making their day to day lives a little easier, whilst reducing environmental impact. Another intern contributed in drafting SMC (Senior Management Committee) notes and compiled budget information on Excel files for the East and Horn pillar and had the pleasure of meeting refugees from all around the world and listening to their daily struggles, in order to best respond to their needs.
Internship in Jordan: A Focus on Refugee Health and Well-being
Jordan, known for its hospitality and history of providing shelter to those fleeing conflict, presents a unique setting for internships focused on refugee support. By interning in Jordan at an organization that works on primary health care, sexual and reproductive health, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response, emergency response through mobile clinics and outreach programs, rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities, child protection, community building, education, skills, and livelihood, and women empowerment, interns can directly assist local and international relief efforts supporting hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees. The internship will help you understand the priorities of a refugees, and you’ll learn about conflict-related traumas and psychosocial challenges of assimilation.
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Gaining Valuable Skills and Knowledge
These internships offer a unique opportunity to gain valuable skills and knowledge in the humanitarian sector. Interns develop a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by refugees and displaced populations, learn about conflict-related traumas and psychosocial challenges of assimilation, and contribute to efforts aimed at improving their lives.
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