Background information/Organisational Context

UNHCR’s Multi-Country Office (MCO) Representation in Canberra, Australia is responsible for the promotion of refugee protection and solutions in Australia, New Zealand and the wider Pacific (Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu). The geographical scope of UNHCR MCO is among the most expansive, stretching from the Indian Ocean in the west to the southern Pacific.

Australia and New Zealand have established asylum systems and well-established resettlement programmes. Both States provide funding for UNHCR global programmes and are important strategic partners at global and regional levels. The Pacific Island Countries face significant challenges due to under-developed or non-existent asylum systems, and which are on the front lines of climate-induced displacement.

UNHCR MCO engages with a diverse range of stakeholders, including government, non-governmental organizations, civil society, other UN agencies, the international community, private sector, donors, as well as forcibly displaced and stateless persons (FDSPs) and refugee-led organizations, to protect the rights of FDSPs, assist in the development of asylum systems, facilitate FDSPs access to essential services, and support the pursuit of durable solutions.

This internship will support the MCO Canberra’s Legal Protection and Durable Solutions portfolios with coordinating tasks related to protection and solutions across the MCO’s country coverage, however with a focus on Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Papua New Guinea. The intern will work closely across the protection and solutions teams within the MCO to contribute to legal, operational, and advocacy efforts.

The ideal candidate is pursuing or has recently completed studies in law, international relations or a related field and has a demonstrated interest in refugee protection, asylum systems, human rights, and international protection issues.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct legal research, country of origin information (COI), and thematic analysis to support protection activities and casework.
• Conduct desk reviews and contribute to thematic research on protection trends, legal frameworks, and policy developments.
• Assist with individual case management, including counselling and referrals for asylum seekers, refugees, and other persons of concern.
• Assist with management of protection related enquiries (email, phone, social media, in person), including research and drafting of proposed responses, support to management of standard information, and support to administration and record keeping.
• Support the drafting of file notes, reports, briefing documents, and other written outputs as required.
• Provide administrative support, including scheduling, documentation, and coordination of meetings or events.
• Develop infographics, dashboards, and other visual tools to support internal and external advocacy on protection issues.
• Prepare presentation materials such as PowerPoint decks, fact sheets, and briefing kits for meetings with stakeholders.
• Perform any other tasks as required by the supervisor or the Protection Unit.

Minimum qualifications required

In order to be considered for an internship, candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Be either a recent graduate (having completed their studies within two years of applying) or a current student in a graduate/undergraduate school programme from a university or higher education facility accredited by IAU/UNESCO ; and
• Have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in the legal field, international relations or related field(s); and
• Have experience and/or a demonstrated interest in asylum and refugee protection or human rights.
• not have exhausted the maximum cumulative internship period with UNHCR, including any prior internships (8 months for full-time and 12 months for part-time).
• Advanced skill in Excel including pivot tables.

The candidate must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident at the time the application closes.