UNHCR is looking for talented, motivated, and passionate individuals – like you – from around the world who bring knowledge, innovative thinking, and different ideas to enhance our capacity to serve people of concern to the organization.
UNHCR’s Internship Programme offers eligible students and recent graduates the opportunity to gain experience in the humanitarian sector in an international environment, in line with their academic program or future work in a field related to UNHCR’s mission. Internships are offered at various locations depending on the needs and capacity of offices to receive and supervise interns and provide them with meaningful assignments. An internship can begin at any time during the year and it normally lasts two to six months.
Eligibility
In order to be considered for an internship, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Recent graduate* or current student in a graduate/undergraduate school programme from a university or higher education facility accredited by UNESCO; and
- Have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in a field relevant to, or of interest to, the work of the organization.
*Recent graduates are to be considered those persons who completed their studies within one year of applying for an internship with UNHCR.
Food and Local Transportation Allowance
Interns who do not receive financial support from an outside party will receive an allowance to support costs related to food and local transportation.
Interns should be ready to cover their own travel to the duty station as well as any additional costs above and beyond any allowance they may receive from UNHCR. It is the intern’s responsibility to arrange for a visa and to cover related costs. UNHCR can provide support with the required documents.
Medical insurance
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. Interns working in locations where medical facilities are inadequate are advised to ensure that their medical insurance covers emergency medical evacuation.
Furthermore, the health insurance selected by interns should provide the necessary geographical coverage for both accident and illness.
Recruitment process
Screening
Applicants will undergo a screening process to determine whether they are suitable for the post they applied for. Education history, relevant work experience and qualifications will be considered to ensure we select the right person for the right job. Due consideration will be given to language needs, diversity and gender.
Assessments and Competency Based Interviews
Candidates who pass the basic eligibility screening will be requested to complete various assessments (language and functional assessments, as appropriate) and finally, candidates are sent for grading. Candidates who pass these assessments will be contacted by a recruiter according to the needs of UNHCR to fill positions.
UNHCR works with the best talent. To ensure we hire the right person for the right job, competency based interviews will be conducted. Such interviews are based on the concept that past behaviour and experience is the best indicator of future performance. In other words, your history tells a story about you: your talents, skills, abilities, knowledge and actual experience in handling a variety of situations.
Appointment
Apart from ensuring previous education and work experiences have been verified, we also make sure the person we hire is a team-player and can fit into the organization’s culture, able to thrive and work in a multi-cultural organization with a passion to serve people of concern. Successful candidates will receive an official offer from UNHCR. As part of this process, our dedicated recruiters will respond to candidates’ enquiries to support a smooth transition to their new position.
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