Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)H (no hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeInternship
Target Start Date2023-08-01
Job Posting End DateJuly 9, 2023
Terms of ReferenceToR Community-Based Protection Internship
(Communication with Communities and Outreach)
Organizational unit: UNHCR Country Office in Spain – Protection Unit
Duty station: Madrid (Spain)
Duration of the internship: until 31st December 2023
Expected start date: 1st August 2023
Background information and organizational context
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights, and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. Every year, millions of men, women, and children are forced to flee their homes to escape conflict and persecution. UNHCR’s staff work in 130 countries around the world, from major capitals to remote and often dangerous locations, using their expertise to protect and care for millions of people. Wherever refugees arrive, UNHCR works closely with governments to ensure the 1951 Refugee Convention is honored.
The Specific needs and Community-Based Protection (CBP) team is part of the Protection Unit at the UNHCR Country Office in Spain. The team is headed by a Senior Protection Associate and focuses on three areas: i) reinforcing identification of protection and specific needs of refugees and other persons at heightened protection risks ; ii) supporting and reinforcing two-way communication with forcibly displaced communities, including refugee-led organizations, and coordination with external stakeholders supporting their empowerment; and iii) supporting the relevant authorities in identifying and addressing international protection needs of refugee girls, boys and adolescents.
This internship is intended to provide last year students and recent graduates with the opportunity to undertake work experience in the field of international protection, complementing their academic experience with direct exposure to the daily work of UNHCR CO in Spain. The intern will be supervised by the Community-Based Protection Associate, who will provide regular guidance and advice to the incumbent with the support of the rest of the team and under the overall supervision of the Senior Protection Associate leading the team..
The ideal candidate for this position will have a demonstrable commitment for humanitarian and development work, especially regarding forced displacement, desire to develop skills and experience in engaging directly with refugee communities to identify the risks they face and to leverage their capacities to protect themselves, their families, and communities. Forcibly displaced and stateless people are encouraged to apply.
The ability to always maintain a high level of confidentiality, good interpersonal skills, as well as flexibility, teamwork and collaboration are essential for this position. Interns are required to perform their duties in a manner consistent with UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity, and respect for diversity.
Knowledge of UNHCR global policies and developments, including the Global Compact on Refugees, as well as sound understanding of UNHCR Policy on age, gender and diversity (AGD) and Community Based Protection standards, operational procedures and fundamental practices are key for this position. Fluency in Spanish (with advanced writing and editing skills) and English are required. Advanced knowledge of Arabic will be considered as a valuable asset.
Duties and responsibilities
Providing support to UNHCR Spain Specific Needs and Community Based Protection team, including:
• Assist in the design, development and implementation of activities carried out by the specific needs and CBP team.
• Providing support in the monitoring and evaluation of CBP and other initiatives carried out by the team.
• Support participatory assessments and ongoing consultations with refugee and stateless communities.
• Assist with translation of relevant protection documents and communication with refugee and stateless communities.
• Assist in the identification of refugee led organizations as well as supporting in the maintenance of regular two-way communication and support.
• Assist in the identification of organizations and resources available for the support of persons with specific needs.
• Support the maintenance of UNHCR’s Help Information website and reinforcing UNHCR’s provision of information and outreach to refugee communities.
• Assist the team in engagement and follow up activities related to the Spanish and Global Refugee Forum.
• Support the team with the organization of capacity building initiatives and administrative tasks as required.
Eligibility and minimum qualifications required
• Potential applicants must have resident status in Spain, be a resident in Spain and be entitled to work in Spain at the time of application (please note that the Office will not be in the position to provide flexibility regarding this requirement).
• Be a recent graduate or current student in a graduate/undergraduate school programme from a university or higher education facility accredited by UNESCO having completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in a field relevant of interest to the work of the Organization (i.e. Law, Journalism, Political Science, International Relations, Communication, Social Studies or other relevant disciplines).
• Not have immediate relatives (father, mother, brother or sister) working for UNHCR as a staff member on any contract type or as an affiliate at the time of application.
• Be available to work full time for a full five-month period, Monday to Friday, 9:00 - 17:15hr (please note that the Office will not be in the position to provide flexibility regarding this requirement).
• Strong verbal communication and writing skills in Spanish (minimum C1 level) and English (minimum B2 level). The knowledge of Arab and other languages will be an asset.
• Previous relevant working experience with forcibly displaced persons is an asset and/or personal experience of forced displacement.
• Have excellent research and organizational skills.
• Have excellent inter-personal skills and be a keen team-player.
• Good intercultural communication skills.
• Respect for diversity and capacity to work and communicate with persons from different backgrounds.
• Capacity to work in stressful contexts.
• Analytical and drafting skills.
• Knowledge of UNHCR’s Age, Gender and diversity policy and UNHCR’s community-based protection fundamentals.
• Have advanced experience using the Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel and Powerpoint).
Additional information
• Internships do not carry any expectation or entitlement to employment with UNHCR at the conclusion of the internship or at any time thereafter.
• Interns are neither staff members under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations nor officials within the meaning of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.
• Interns must observe their obligations under local law, including laws relating to taxation and social security.
• The Office will provide interns who do not receive financial support from a third party, a food and local transportation allowance payable in local currency via bank transfer.
• Interns are fully responsible for arranging medical insurance covering the full internship period. A copy of proof of a valid medical insurance covering the period of the internship agreement must be provided to UNHCR.
• Proof of COVID-19 full vaccination must be provided to UNHCR.
• Only successfully screened candidates will be invited to sit a written test and/or to hold a personal interview.
,Spanish
,
,
,
Skills
Education
Certifications
Work Experience
Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance