Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)A (least hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeInternship
Target Start Date2023-07-01
Job Posting End DateJuly 10, 2023
Terms of ReferenceCandidates not residing and/or not citizens of the country must comply with all eligibility requirements for employment in line with the prevailing legislative prerequisites in the country.
Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19.
The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.
Levels of language knowledge:
A1-beginner
A2-elementary
B1-lower intermediate
B2-upper intermediate
C1-advanced/proficient
C2-fluent
Organizational context
The intern will work within the Reporting, PI and Communications unit of UNHCR Trinidad and Tobago.
Worsening socio-economic, political, human rights and humanitarian conditions in Venezuela have led to the outflow of refugees and migrants from Venezuela to Trinidad and Tobago. The impact of the arrival of increasing numbers of Venezuelans and seeking safety and international protection has been considerable, taking into account the limited size and absorption capacity of the country. Trinidad and Tobago acceded to the 1951 Convention and its 1967 Protocol in November 2000 but has not incorporated it into national law. In 2014, the Cabinet adopted a Refugee Policy to work towards developing national capacity to receive and decide on refugee claims and grant enjoyment of certain rights to refugees, however, the Refugee Policy is yet to be fully implemented. In June 2019, the Government conducted a two-week registration exercise that allowed Venezuelan nationals only the opportunity to apply for regular status, including those who entered irregularly or overstayed. Those registered were granted permission to work for six months, which has been automatically extended by the Government for another six months.
Currently approximately, 12.0000 Venezuelans over the age of 16 are registered with the government, along with approximately 2,421 children. Since the end of the government-led regularization process and the introduction of a visa requirement for Venezuelans in June 2019, Trinidad and Tobago has witnessed on going numbers of irregular arrivals from Venezuela. Despite efforts to promote social cohesion, the socio-economic integration of Venezuelans in Trinidad and Tobago is faced with obstacles such as language barriers; the lack of recognition of professional certificates and diplomas from Venezuela; access to specialized health care is limited and Venezuelan children and youth face administrative barriers to national education.
As of 30 April 2023, the active registered population in ProGres is 26,633 persons; 22,808 (85.64%) of these POCs are Venezuelans. The legal statuses are: 3,403 refugees, 22,346 asylum-seekers and 883 others of concern. Out of them, 13,454 (50.52%) are male and 13,179 (49.48%) are female. There are 6,301 (23.66%) children (under 18) registered with UNHCR. Based on RMRP estimates, there will be approximately 38,000 Venezuelan refugees and migrants residing in Trinidad and Tobago by the end of 2023. The present caseload of asylum-seekers and refugees registered with UNHCR is comprised of individuals from 41 countries of origin, mainly from Venezuela with smaller numbers coming from Cuba, Jamaica and other countries.
As a result of the lack of recognition of the right to seek asylum in the 1976 Immigration Act, persons in irregular situation, irrespective of their status as asylum-seekers or refugees, either because of overstay or entry into T&T from a point other than an official port of entry are subjected to detention for the purposes of deportation. Access to PoCs in detention is extremely challenging. Additional protection challenges include identifying and assessing persons in need of international protection and ensuring that they are protected against refoulement.
As inflows to the country continue, a larger proportion of the population is likely to remain in an irregular status. This curtails their ability to seek livelihood opportunities, access to sustainable long-term employment and prevents access of children to public denominational schools. Many in the population of concern had found employment informally in sectors negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many also faced eviction due to inability to make rent payments. Additionally, non-nationals are only allowed to access primary and emergency healthcare from public health institutions, leaving PoC with specialised healthcare needs without access to treatment. As a result, UNHCR and partner organizations like Living Water Community, LA Casita, Rape Crisis Society, Family Planning Association, UNICEF, PADF have received overwhelming numbers of requests for food, shelter, cash assistance, support for medicines and health treatments since the onset of the pandemic. Furthermore, xenophobia and discrimination against refugees and migrants in general, including in the workplace, continue to be noted in the media and public opinion. In this context, the UNHCR protection team has been developing different communication channels to provide information in regards assistance programs and services providers in a more mass customization way, including education, Cash based intervention, health related support, protection information, gender based violence prevention and attention, child protection related, among others however there are challenges and a strong need to strengthening individualized communication and tailored service. The context is making it exceedingly difficult for them to access basic services, including health and education, and obtain safe and dignified employment. The majority continue to live in the shadows, working in highly exploitative environments, suffering from discrimination and xenophobia.
Desired qualifications and skills
• Excellent command of English (C2)
• Enthusiasm for all things communications (media, social, digital, events)
• Drafting and organizational skills, and attention to detail
• Excellent analytical and communication skills;
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 a field relevant or of interest to the work of UNHCR.
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Skills
Education
Certifications
Work Experience
Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance