Inter-Agency & Coordination Intern

*Terms of Reference Internship (https://www.unhcr.org/62a6f6724)*)*

Division of External Relations, Partnership and Coordination Service, Inter-Agency, and Coordination Section

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is offering a full-time internship position within the InterAgency and Coordination Section of the Partnership and Coordination Service, at UNHCR Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Established in December 1950, UNHCR 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 works in over 130 countries, using its expertise to protect and care for millions.

Title: Inter-Agency & Coordination Intern

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Duration: 6 months

Contract Type: Internship, full-time basis

Closing date for application: 26 June 2022

Expected start date: 1 September 2022

Organisational context

UNHCR’s Partnership and Coordination Service (PCS) is part of the Division of External Relations. The Service is responsible for ensuring UNHCR approaches partnerships in a strategic and dynamic manner. The Service provides support to regional and country offices on relationships with UN agencies, NGOs, advocacy partners, sports organizations, and endeavors to ensure UNHCR exercises effective leadership in areas falling under its responsibility as well as coordination responsibilities in line with its Mandate and agreed frameworks. Located in the UNHCR Headquarters in Geneva, PCS comprises three sections: the Inter-Agency and Coordination Section (IACS), the NGO and Civil Society Section, and the Sports Section. The internship is a unique opportunity to work with one of the leading UN humanitarian organizations in a team tasked with coordinating multilateral operational policy issues with a specific focus on inter-agency policy and coordination.

During the internship period, the intern will work in a multicultural environment, and acquire knowledge on humanitarian inter-agency policy making, cross-cutting operational processes – particularly on refugee/displacement responses. In addition to exposure gained through the internship, the candidate can take advantage of an array of learning and professional development material and expand understanding on issues of forced displacement, refugee protection, solutions and delivery of assistance.

UNHCR has a lively intern peer network which facilitates interaction and exchange on daily work issues and life in Geneva, including on accommodation, transport, etc.

The position

We are looking for a team-spirited and dynamic creative thinker, interested in research who is data proficient and can organize and present macro level information in interesting and user-friendly visuals and formats. Specific terms of reference are given below.

The intern will work in the Inter-Agency and Coordination Section under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Inter-Agency & Coordination Section who will on a regular basis discuss various issues and assign tasks. Further modalities for supervision and support will be discussed with the final candidate.

Duties and responsibilities

The incumbent’s tasks shall include, inter alia:

• Collating comments and feedback on assigned documents received from internal and external stakeholders;

• Undertaking primary analysis and research, collate available information on a range of topics relevant to inter-agency fora;

• Supporting IACS/PCS in the follow-up of the Global Refugee Forum pledges and contributions;

• Supporting IACS/PCS in the IASC and UN reform processes as required;

• Supporting IACS/PCS on follow-up, analysis and reporting related UNHCR-led and other inter-agency plans and appeals (Refugee Response Plans, Humanitarian Response Plans, etc.);

• Assisting IACS/PCS in supporting regional bureaus and field operations with guidance on partnerships;

• Assisting in the preparation and coordination of UNHCR meetings;

• Attending briefings and meetings and taking notes as requested;

• Providing support to managing social media accounts, producing content, engaging with partner accounts and analysing trends;

• Undertaking other tasks as required.

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 one year of applying) or a 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 or of interest to the work of UNHCR.

NOTE: An individual whose father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister is a staff member of UNHCR, including a Temporary Appointment holder or a member of the Affiliate Workforce, is not eligible for an internship.

Desirable qualifications and skills

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Political Science, International Affairs, International Development, Communications or other relevant field;

• Demonstratable interest in refugee and forced displacement issues;

• Ability to work in English;

• Excellent written and oral communication skills;

• Strong organizational skills;

• Research, data analysis, data visualization and information management skills;

• Very good knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint;

• Flexibility, teamwork skills, professional and personal integrity;

• Knowledge of French and/or other UN languages;

• Experience in managing social media accounts, producing content and analyzing trends;

• Knowledge of InDesign or other graphics design software;

• Knowledge of Microsoft Teams and Sharepoint;

• Experience in organizing events or conferences.

What the intern will learn

• Understanding of the UN systems and process;

• Overview of the humanitarian Inter-Agency system and UNHCR’s coordination role;

• Exposure to wide range of refugee issues and current thinking on the UN system, forced displacement and humanitarian issues;

• Internal processes and inter-divisional collaboration in a large humanitarian organisation; • Working in a multicultural and multilingual team.

Conditions

It is a full-time role with working hours starting from 9.00 am to 6:00 pm Monday to Friday (40 hours per week). The successful candidate will be assigned to support the team in Geneva, Switzerland. Allowance: Interns who do not receive financial support from an outside party will receive an allowance to partially help to cover the cost of food, local transportation and living expenses.