Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

B

Family

Internship

2024-12-01

November 21, 2024

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is offering a full-time internship at UNHCR Havana, Cuba.

This is an internship, and the vacancy is open to applications of nationals of Cuba. Persons interested in applying for this position must be legally present in the country at the time of recruitment. Candidates must comply with all eligibility requirements for employment in line with the prevailing legislative prerequisites in the country.

Please note that this position is offered for an initial period of 3 months, with possible extension subject to budget, good performance and operational needs.

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. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

In order to be considered for an internship, candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria for all internships:

a. Be either a recent graduate (having completed their studies within two years of applying for an internship with UNHCR) or a current student in a graduate/undergraduate school programme from a university or higher education facility accredited by IAU/UNESCO;

b. Have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in a field relevant or of interest to the work of UNHCR; and

c. Not have immediate relatives (father, mother, brother, or sister) working for UNHCR as a staff member on any contract type or as an affiliate at the time of application.

Levels of language knowledge:
A1-beginner
A2-elementary
B1-lower intermediate
B2-upper intermediate
C1-advanced/proficient
C2-fluent

English and Spanish are required at a B2 level for this position.

Established in December 1950, UNHCR is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for asylum seekers, refugees, returnees, internally 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 currently operates in over 130 countries, using its long expertise to protect and care for millions.

Title: Filling Internship
Duty Station: Havana, Cuba
Duration: 3 months
Contract Type: Internship
Closing date for application:
Start date: 1 December
Organizational context

UNHCR has a small office in Cuba, with three staff members. It reports to the Multi-Country Office for Belize, Cuba, Panama, Nicaragua and Southern Caribbean, based in Panama. Cuba is not a state party to any international instrument on the status of refugees, so UNHCR carries out its work under its mandate in the country. UNHCR’s work in Cuba is largely focused on protection and assistance to a small number of refugees from a variety of countries including Afghanistan, Iran, Ethiopia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, amongst others.
The position

Interns will participate in a range of activities within the office, depending on their skills and interest, and will become familiar with the daily realities of working in a large humanitarian organization.

The intern will (i) gain a deeper knowledge of principles and practices guiding the organization’s interventions, particularly as they apply to the work of UNHCR in the Caribbean region; and (ii) develop professional working skills, such as archiving, maintaining updated databases, preparing documents for transfer and archiving, digitizing documents, project and time management, prioritization, and teamwork. The work of the interns is not confined to a single project, as interns will be directly involved in all operational aspects of our work.

While the precise tasks of interns vary, considering the dynamics of the work in Cuba and other Office priorities, as well as the specific skills, competencies and areas of interest of the respective intern, the main tasks in which interns are involved are:

Duties and responsibilities

• Study, analysis and understanding of archiving procedures;
• Review, classification and organization of documents;
• Digitalization of documents;
• Destruction of documents according to procedures;
• Preparation of documents for sending to HQ;
• Exchange with Admin team and archiving staff to carry out the work;
• Support to administrative tasks as requested.

Desirable qualifications and skills

• Sound understanding and ability to implement UNHCR’s policy and proceedings, in the area of responsibility at appropriate level.
• Ability to work a multi-cultural environment.
• Good communication skill, both internal and external
• English and Spanish knowledge
• Good knowledge of Microsoft programmes, such as Word, Excel, Power Point, database system
• Orientation towards solutions and actions
• Ability to work in a team but also in independence.
• Upholding of team spirits and peaceful working environment
• Discretion and ability to handle confidential information.

Standard Job Description

Required Languages

Spanish

,

English

,

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Certifications

Other information

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance

Home-Based

No