Are you a student or recent graduate with a passion for humanitarian work? Do you want to use your skills to support people forced to flee their homes? The UNHCR Internship Programme might be the perfect opportunity for you.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is looking for motivated and talented individuals from around the world to join their team. This blog post will break down everything you need to know about the program, from eligibility to compensation and how to apply.
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Who is Eligible?
To be considered for an internship, you must meet a few key requirements:
- You must be a current student in a graduate or undergraduate program, or a recent graduate who completed your studies within the last two years.
- You need to have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in a field relevant to UNHCR’s work.
- You cannot have any immediate relatives (father, mother, brother, or sister) working for UNHCR.
- You must not have exceeded the maximum cumulative internship period with UNHCR (8 months for full-time, 12 months for part-time).
- You need to be proficient in English at a minimum B2 level.
UNHCR is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. The internship program is open to all nationalities, and applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates, regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. They also explicitly welcome applications from candidates with a refugee or stateless background.
Where Can You Intern?
UNHCR offers internships at various locations globally. This includes headquarters in Geneva, the Global Service Centres in Amman, Budapest, and Copenhagen, as well as field country offices. Depending on the role and approval from your manager, some internships may even offer the flexibility of teleworking.
How Long Do Internships Last?
Internships typically last between two and six months, with the possibility of an extension. The maximum cumulative duration for a full-time internship is eight months, and for a part-time internship, it’s 12 months.
What About Compensation and Costs?
UNHCR understands that interns may need financial support. If you don’t receive funding from another source, you will receive a monthly allowance to help cover costs related to food, local transportation, and living expenses. The allowance for a full-time internship is 50% of the monthly net salary of a General Service (GS) level 3 step 1 in “H” duty stations and 70% in all other duty stations. Part-time internships receive 50% of the applicable full-time rate.
For interns joining from outside the country of the duty station, UNHCR will also reimburse return travel costs by the most economical route. However, it’s important to note that interns are responsible for arranging and paying for their own medical insurance and visa costs, though UNHCR can assist with necessary documents.
How to Apply
All current internship opportunities are advertised on the main UNHCR recruitment platform. New roles are posted regularly, so it’s a good idea to check back frequently. You can also visit the websites of specific regional and country offices, as they may post local opportunities there as well. The UNHCR website provides a helpful guide on how to create an account on their recruitment platform and apply for roles.