Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

A (least hardship)

Family

Internship

2024-09-17

September 20, 2024

Organizational context
Guatemala continued to be a country of origin, destination, transit, and return, with the largest number of people entering the country in 2023. Fifty-two percent were Venezuelans, followed by Hondurans (37%) and Ecuadorians (3%). Women made up most mixed movements (62%), and most traveled with family or friends (78%). The United States was the main destination for most people in transit (94%). Violence was often cited as a reason for flight (40%), demonstrating the need for international protection. People in mixed movements stayed longer in Guatemala than in previous years waiting for remittances and working informally to finance their journey. The number of asylum seekers reached a historic high of 1,255 in 2023 due to the implementation of the Quality Assurance Initiative, bringing the number of refugees and asylum seekers in Guatemala to 3,064. The country’s refugee system was also strengthened.
The position
The external relations intern provides functional and administrative support to the external relations unit, handles correspondence related to external relations, and assists in the implementation of activities and events of the unit. To do this, the intern must understand how UNHCR and the unit work..
The selected individual should actively contribute to fostering a work environment where everyone feels safe and empowered to carry out their responsibilities. This involves unequivocally rejecting sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment (including sexual harassment), sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and misuse of authority. As both individuals and managers, we should proactively prevent and address inappropriate behaviour, encourage ongoing dialogue on these matters, and seek guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when needed.
Duties and responsibilities
• Support in the organization of activities of the Department of External Relations
• Support in the organization of activities of the Central American Donors Forum (October 7-9, 2024).
• Lead the preparation of the External Relations Manual.
• Lead the preparation of a document summarizing UNHCR Guatemala’s strategy for an external audience.
• Support the External Relations Department in reporting to donors.
• Perform other related duties 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 Communication or related areas ;
• Have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in a field relevant or of interest to the work of UNHCR.

Desirable qualifications and skills
• Desirable experience in communication, international relations, political sciences, or related area. Interest in UNHCR and its mandate, and very specifically in the context of Guatemala.
• Good listening and report writing skills, cultural sensitivity, and teamwork.
• Organization of events, drafting of talking points, reports
• Public relations with diplomatic missions and international cooperation agencies.
• Good command of CANVA or other digital design tools, knowledge of photography
• Adaptable to a multicultural and international work environment.
• Team player.
• Languages: Fluency in Spanish and English. Knowledge of other languages (English, French, Arabic and Mandarin/Cantonese) would be an asset.

Conditions
It is a full-time role with working hours starting from 8.00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday (40 hours per week). The successful candidate will be assigned to support the team in CO Guatemala.
Internships lasts three months.
Candidates with previous UNHCR Internship experience must not have exceeded the maximum total cumulative duration.
Allowance: The Sponsoring Institution shall provide non-reimbursable financial support in the form of a stipend/scholarship/allowance/etc. for the period of internship with UNHCR (hereinafter referred to as the “Allowance”).
The selected candidate will receive a link to the UNHCR recruitment portal to create a profile.
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.
We welcome applications from candidates with a refugee or stateless background.

Standard Job Description

Required Languages

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Desired Languages

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Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Certifications

Other information

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance

Home-Based

No