Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

A (least hardship)

Family

Internship

2024-07-01

May 19, 2024

Title: Protection Intern
Duty Station: Country Office Beijing (CO Beijing)
Duration: 6 months
Expected Start Date: 1 July 2024 (1 July – 31 December 2024)
Contract Type: Internship

Organizational context
The UNHCR Office in China was established in 1979. Although China has been party to the 1951 Convention and 1967 Protocol since 1982, it has no law comprehensively governing asylum. In the absence of national refugee legislation, UNHCR continues to register asylum seekers, conducts individual refugee status determination under its mandate, seeks durable solutions for refugees, and provides direct assistance to the refugee population in mainland China.
The Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress adopted an Exit-Entry Administration Law on 30 June 2012, which came into force on 1 July 2013. This domestic law includes a provision (Article 46) regarding the treatment of refugees, which foresees, inter alia, the possibility for refugees and asylum seekers to legally reside in China on the basis of a temporary identification to be issued by the authorities. UNHCR has been advocating for implementing regulations concerning Article 46 as well as working on building the capacity of the Government of China to implement its obligations under the 1951 Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol.
UNHCR will continue to work with all stakeholders in China to ensure refugees and asylum seekers receive adequate protection and assistance as well as to seek durable solutions for refugees.
Through the internship with the Office, the intern will gain professional experience in a multi-cultural international organization, which is related to and supplements studies or interests in international relations, public international law or other related areas.

The position
The intern will be based in the UNHCR office in Beijing and will work under the guidance and supervision of the Protection Associate to support the daily work of the protection team.

Duties and responsibilities
S/he will perform the following tasks:
• Assist in scheduling interviews with refugees and asylum seekers.
• Assist in facilitating the resettlement application of refugees, including by communicating with refugees to collect, update and confirm their personal data and to collect pertinent documents, as well as by providing updates on case progress.
• Assist in monitoring and responding to queries from refugees and asylum seekers.
• Assist in facilitating telephone counselling for refugees and asylum seekers.
• Assist in the implementation of the Cash-based Intervention Programme.
• Assist the Protection team in preparing home visits and focus group discussions with refugees across the country.
• Assist in undertaking Country-of-Origin information research.
• Assist in conducting registration interviews of asylum-seekers.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

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.
• Completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in international relations, law, sociology, behavioural science, anthropology, health, education or other related areas.
• Fluent in English, proficiency in other languages i.e., French or Arabic is a plus.
• Firm commitment to a full-time internship of six months in Beijing.

Desirable qualifications and skills
• Strong interest in international humanitarian field.
• Professional and detail oriented.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Good team player.
• Strong awareness of cultural diversity and confidentiality requirements.
• Respect for humanity and a commitment to international public service.

Conditions
It is a full-time role with working hours starting from 9.00am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday (40 hours per week). The successful candidate will be assigned to support the team in the office in Beijing.
The internship program is not connected with the recruitment process; nevertheless, UNHCR is willing to provide reference and a fair performance evaluation of the internship for his/her contribution to UNHCR’s work.
Recruitment as an intern is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19.
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.

How to apply
Interested applicants should submit their application through https://www.unhcr.org/careers.html.
The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.
UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing or training.

Standard Job Description

Required Languages

English

,

Chinese

,

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Confidentiality, Cultural Diversity, Detail-Oriented, English Language, Humanitarianism, Teamwork

Education

Certifications

Other information

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance

Home-Based

No