Navigating the UNHCR Internship: Requirements and Opportunities

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) offers internship opportunities for students and recent graduates passionate about humanitarian work. These internships provide invaluable experience in an international environment, contributing to the UNHCR's mission of protecting refugees, asylum-seekers, and stateless persons. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the UNHCR internship program, covering eligibility requirements, application procedures, and other essential details.

Introduction to UNHCR Internships

UNHCR's Internship Programme is designed to attract talented individuals with diverse backgrounds, knowledge, innovative thinking, and fresh ideas. Internships are offered based on the needs and capacity of UNHCR offices to provide meaningful assignments and supervision. The program aims to provide a framework through which students from diverse academic backgrounds can enhance their educational experience through practical work assignments.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for a UNHCR internship, candidates must meet the following criteria:

Academic Standing: Be a recent graduate (within one year of applying) or a current student in a graduate or undergraduate program at a university or higher education facility accredited by UNESCO.
Educational Background: Have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in a field relevant or of interest to the work of the Organization. A field of study closely related to the type of internship applied for is required. Junior or senior students of a first university degree (bachelor or equivalent) or those currently enrolled in a Master’s or Ph.D. program, or those who have completed such programs are eligible.
Familial Status: Have no immediate relatives (father, mother, son, daughter, brother, or sister) working as staff members of UNHCR, including Temporary Appointment holders or members of the Affiliate Workforce.
Language Proficiency: Fluency in spoken and written English is generally required. Knowledge of other UN languages, such as French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, or Chinese, may be an asset, depending on the specific internship.
Skills: Good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams, is expected.
Nationality: Internships are open to all nationalities.

Meeting these qualifications does not guarantee an internship. Selection is competitive, and hiring managers directly contact successful candidates.

Application Process

Online Application: Interested candidates must register as new users and create an account on the UNHCR recruitment platform.
Application Materials: The application typically requires a letter of interest, specifying desired locations, period of availability, and preferred area of work. Proof of enrollment or completion of studies may also be required.
Application Procedures and Deadlines: Candidates should be vigilant about application procedures and deadlines, as they vary depending on the specific position.

Internship Locations

Internships are offered at various locations, including:

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UNHCR headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland
Global Service Centres in Amman, Jordan; Budapest, Hungary; and Copenhagen, Denmark
Field country offices worldwide

Regional offices tend to be less competitive than headquarters positions.

Internship Details

Duration: Internships in the UN Secretariat are usually full-time and last between three to six months, potentially taking place during specific periods of the year. The duration of the ESCWA Internship Programme is from three to six months. At OHCHR, internships are for a minimum of three months and may be renewed once for a further three-month period, with a maximum duration of six months.
Working Hours: Interns typically work full-time, 5 days a week and 8 hours per day.

Financial Aspects

Stipend: UNHCR offers full-time and part-time internships. Interns in Washington, D.C., for example, may receive an allowance equivalent to $2,196 per month for a full-time internship, with part-time allowances prorated. The allowance for part-time internships is calculated at 50% of the applicable rate of the full-time allowance at the respective duty station.
Expenses: Interns are responsible for arranging medical insurance and providing proof of valid coverage to UNHCR before the internship begins. UNHCR accepts no responsibility for medical insurance costs or medical evacuation expenses. Interns are generally responsible for covering the costs of travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses. However, UNHCR may reimburse interns engaged from a location outside the duty station country for return travel costs by the most economical route, unless these costs are provided or paid by their sponsoring entities.

Responsibilities and Tasks

The intern's tasks and responsibilities are outlined in the Terms of Reference, prepared by the hiring office and agreed upon by the intern before the assignment begins. Interns may be involved in:

Researching human rights issues
Drafting analytical papers and reports
Providing substantive and technical servicing of meetings
Backstopping fact-finding and technical cooperation activities
Supporting field operations
Case management and protection activities
Developing communication and outreach strategies
Procurement processes for core relief items.
Drafting Senior Management Committee (SMC) notes.
Compiling budget information.
Supporting the UN Partnership Officer in engaging with government counterparts on protocol-related issues.
Preparing draft Note Verbales to government counterparts regarding diplomatic immunities and privileges.
Supporting liaison with the UN Country Team on protocol-related matters.

Diversity and Inclusion

UNHCR values diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from qualified candidates without distinction based on race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities and an inclusive working environment.

Impact and Benefits

Interning at UNHCR offers a unique opportunity to contribute to ensuring that the voices and capacities of refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and stateless people are incorporated into all facets of protection work. It provides exposure to senior skilled professionals in the humanitarian sector and allows interns to meet refugees from around the world, learning about their daily struggles and helping to respond to their needs.

Examples of Internship Experiences

Working as part of a Community-Based Protection team.
Contributing to procurement processes for core relief items.
Working with the Regional Africa Bureau.
Supporting case management and protection activities in the Caribbean region.
Supporting the UN Resident Coordinator's Office (RCO) in Beijing with protocol-related matters.

Other UN Internship Programs

While this article focuses on UNHCR internships, numerous internship programs exist across the UN system and other international organizations, including:

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United Nations Headquarters Internship Programme
ESCWA Internship Programme
Economic and Social Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) Internship Programme
FAO Volunteer Programme
ICTR Internship Programme
International Labour Organization (ILO) Internship Programme
International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia Internship Programme
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Internship Programme
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Internship Program
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Internship Programme
UNESCO Institute for Education (UIE) Internship Programme
United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Internship Programme
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (IRIN)
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) Internship Programme
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Internship Programme
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Internship Programme
United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) Internship Programme

Details about these programs can be found on the respective organization's websites.

Volunteer Opportunities

For individuals whose backgrounds do not fit the ideal description for internship programs, gaining field experience through non-governmental organizations, non-profits, or volunteer programs like the Peace Corps is recommended. The UN Volunteers (UNV) program, managed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), mobilizes volunteers for peace, development, and humanitarian efforts worldwide.

Important Considerations

No Fees: The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, meeting, processing, or training.
Cooling-Off Period: Some organizations, such as the UN Secretariat, impose a "cooling-off period" between the end of the internship and an offer of full-time employment.
Visa and Work Authorization: Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization.
Health Insurance: Interns must arrange their own medical insurance covering accidents and illnesses, including emergency medical evacuation if needed. The United Nations accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness incurred during an internship.

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