INTERN - UN High Commissioner for Refugees

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Division of Programme Support and Management (DPSM)

Geneva, Switzerland

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established on December 14, 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Since 1950, the agency has helped tens of millions of people restart their lives. Today, a staff of more than 9,300 people in 123 countries continues to help and protect millions of refugees, returnees, internally displaced and stateless people.

The Division of Programme Support and Management (DPSM) works to provide the knowledge, guidance and tools necessary to design and deliver UNHCR programmes that demonstrate quality, technical integrity and innovation. The Division leads efforts to strengthen Results-Based Management (RBM) within UNHCR and to ensure that planning, implementation and key management decisions are based on evidence and sound analysis. DPSM sets strategies, policies and standards and develops practical guidance and tools across a wide range of technical areas, from public health to food security and nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, shelter and settlements, durable solutions, livelihoods and self-reliance, domestic energy, environmental management, registration, information management and statistic.

One area of interest and challenge is implementing the new Policy on Alternatives to Camps, which UNHCR released in July 2014 to move away from traditional camp-based operational responses and create possibilities for refugees to live lawfully, peacefully and independently in communities. To implement the Policy, field operations now have available a Diagnostic Tool for Alternatives to Camps. This self-assessment tool provides an overview of the current situation in each operation and assists country teams in analysing the prospects, opportunities and challenges of pursuing alternatives to camps.

Under the supervision of the Director’s Office, the intern will perform the following activities:

1) Draft and design information material to the DPSM Key Initiatives Update series on new user-friendly tools and approaches developed by UNHCR’s Division of Programme Support and Management to help UNHCR operations provide better protection, assistance and solutions to refugees.

2) Gather and analyse data from UNHCR field operations through the Diagnostic Tool on Alternatives to Camps, in order to provide an overall picture of where UNHCR stands with the implementation of the policy. Efforts should be made to improve the tool and maximise the use of the data through various types of analysis.

3) Support research and reporting initiatives, including conducting analysis and drafting complex documents. This includes liaising with a large number of primarily internal stakeholders in the field and HQ.

Commitment: Starting February 2016, for 6 months. The intern will be working on a full-time basis at UNHCR headquarters, 94, rue de Montbrillant, Geneva, Switzerland.

What we offer: The selected candidate will obtain first-hand experience working in a dynamic UN organization and gain insights into the development of emergency and longer-term solutions for refugees and other displaced populations. (S)he will substantially contribute to the implementation of UNHCR policies of institutional importance. (S)he will also gain insight around health, environment, livelihoods, shelter, information management and other technical sectors both in UNHCR and in the wider humanitarian community.

Requirements:

• Graduate studies completed (communications, public relations, design, international relations or related area)
• Excellent command of English with very good writing and editing skills
• Strong and proven experience in survey-based data collection and analysis
• Strong and proven desktop publishing and design skills
• Excellent IT skills (Excel, online survey platforms, social media design and related; knowledge of google forms is an advantage)
• Strong interest in development/humanitarian issues
• Ability to work well in team and multicultural environment
• Knowledge of other UN languages an asset

HOW TO APPLY:

How to apply/inquiries:

Please send an email with your CV and cover letter to HQATC@unhcr.org and sjoberg@unhcr.org by 15 January 2016 (midnight GVA time), indicating which relevant experience you will bring to this internship position, by when you will be available to start the 6-month internship, and that you are fully aware of the below conditions:

• United Nations interns are not paid. All costs related to travel, insurance, accommodation, and living expenses must be borne by either the interns or their sponsoring institutions.
• Visa: The intern will be responsible for obtaining and financing the necessary visas.
• Travel: The intern will arrange and finance the travel to the United Nations location where the internship will be completed. Medical insurance: The intern will be responsible for costs arising from accidents and/or illness incurred during the internship and must show proof of a valid medical insurance coverage.