UNHCR is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic workforce committed to protecting the rights of refugees, asylum-seekers and stateless persons. An internship provides the opportunity to learn about UNHCR’s activities, to gain initial work experience and gain knowledge on a broad range of refugee related issues with a focus on the Nordic and Baltic Countries (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden).
As an intern in the Protection Unit based in Vilnius, LITHUANIA, you will join a team of specialized staff who have a strong focus on refugee and asylum law, including international and human rights law. You will actively participate in the work of the UNHCR Representation for the Nordic and Baltic Countries (UNHCR RNB) and will be engaged in a variety of protection issues and tasks.
During the internship you will receive a mentor. You will assist the Protection team with protection related tasks such as conducting research on legal issues, preparing legal interventions, briefing notes and reports. In addition, you could be also deal with individual case management. Your interest, skills and expertise will be taken into consideration when guiding some of your workload. You will be expected to work independently, yet in close collaboration with your mentor, colleagues within the team and interns from the Protection, PI/communication and External Relations units.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:
- Undertake independent analysis/research on legal issues relevant to domestic or international asylum legislation or practice;
- Assist in the preparation of legal interventions;
- Handle calls and letters from persons of concern who are seeking information and advice related to asylum or family reunification procedures in the region covered by UNHCR RNB;
- Handle individual cases raising special questions in the application or interpretation of the applicable refugee law principles;
- Support and take part in Refugee Law and Protection training activities for authorities responsible for refugee status determination, judges and lawyers;
- Gather and analyze information and prepare briefing notes and background papers on political, legal, social and economic developments which have a bearing on UNHCR protection activities in the area in order to promote the adoption of appropriate protection policies and activities;
- Participate in, when relevant, and report from meetings with persons of concern to UNHCR, meetings with relevant interlocutors, and other events relevant for the organization; and
- Provide administrative and other support to the Office in Vilnius as required.
BACKGROUND AND REQUIREMENTS:
- Recent graduate or final year student in law, and/or have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in a field relevant or of interest to UNHCR;
- An interest in asylum/migration/refugee law, European asylum law and/or international human rights law;
- Work experience in the field of asylum, human rights law is an asset;
- Fluency in oral and written English;
- Fluency in oral and written Lithuanian;
- Knowledge of another language(s) is an asset;
- Multicultural competence and the awareness, knowledge and skills needed to work with others who are culturally different from self in meaningful, relevant, and productive ways.
APPLY TO THIS INTERNSHIP
Good to know when applying
- Interns may be eligible for funding through scholarships available by universities, or other external sources and are encouraged to look into this. A food and transportation allowance based on local DSA rates per month (ca 700 USD) is available for un-sponsored interns.
- It is the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institution to arrange for travel to and from the duty station upon commencement and conclusion of the internship. All related travel expenses, including visas, will be paid by the intern or sponsoring institution. UNHCR does not cover the cost of travel or visa.
- All interns who are not nationals of the country where their duty station is located must show proof of valid medical insurance coverage, including illness, accidents and repatriation coverage, to cover the full period of the internship. UNHCR accepts no responsibility for any costs connected to medical insurance of interns.
- There is one vacancy with start in August and the internship is for 3 months. The start date is to be agreed.
- Kindly note that fluency in written and oral English and Lithuanian is required.
- Please be informed that the interns may be required to be present in the Office in Vilnius. UNHCR RNB have taken measures to adapt our workplace in order to work safely in the Office.
- You may also be interested to read the answers to some Frequently Asked Questions.
Prepare your application
Your application consists of three documents written in English:
- A one-page letter of motivation
- A copy of your up-to-date CV/resume
- A completed UNHCR Personal History Form
Submit your application
Please send your application to [email protected] by 9 August 2021.
If you have any questions, please contact Vladimiras SINIOVAS, at [email protected]
Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.
Candidates with refugee or migration background are strongly encouraged to apply.
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