Project Coordination Intern At UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Background information

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights, and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people. UNHCR teams are present in some 127 countries, using their expertise to protect and care for millions of people.

The intern will be placed within UNHCR Country Office in Tunis, responsible for protecting and assisting refugees and asylum seekers arriving in Tunisia. Currently there some 10,000 people of concern to UNHCR’s mandate.

This internship is a unique opportunity to gain exposure to UNHCR’s humanitarian and protection work in a North African context, while simultaneously increasing his/her knowledge in the areas of project management, donor reporting and coordination. The selected candidate will participate in meetings and briefings and benefit from in-house technical and on-the-job training opportunities (as appropriate).

Duties and responsibilities

UNHCR is seeking a dedicated, dynamic, and proactive intern, with strong interest in refugee and asylum issues. The intern will be expected to be flexible and work on multiple tasks with varying and often tight, deadlines. The selected candidate will be assisting the UNHCR Tunisia Project Coordinator with the following key duties:

• Assist in fulfilling project requirements and prepare various donor materials related to UNHCR’s operation in Tunisia for internal and external use;
• Support the drafting of narrative reports on projects’ results, achievements, and indicators, in full collaboration with UNHCR Tunisia in-house units and partners;
• Conduct policy research, when needed, and assist in preparing presentations, briefings, other information required by donor partners;
• Help prepare project submissions for funding;
• Participate in coordination meetings with UN, NGO, and donor partners on behalf of the Project Coordination Unit
• Support programmes of visits, meetings and the consultations with relevant donors, as well as for donor field missions when required;
• Keep abreast of political, policy, and security developments impacting UNHCR’s activities in the country;
• Perform other related duties as required.

Essential minimum qualifications

• University degree – preferably advanced Master’s – in International Law, Political Science, International Relations, Communications. or a related field. Knowledge of refugee law, international protection and human rights are an asset;
• Excellent drafting skills in English and French (knowledge of Arabic is an asset);
• Very good analytical, communication, and research skills;
• Ability to work independently, when necessary;
• Good command of Word, Excel and PowerPoint;
• Previous experience in an international environment is an advantage;
• Flexibility, team working skills, professional and personal integrity; and
• Commitment to the mandate of UNHCR.

What the intern will learn

• Direct exposure to the field work of UNHCR and its partners;
• Communicate efficiently regarding UNHCR’s projects;
• Work across thematic sectors to advance UNHCR’s work in Tunisia; and
• Familiarization with internal processes and cross-thematic collaboration in a large humanitarian organization;
• Gain knowledge on different other UN organizations, partners, and donors.

Conditions

• Supervision: The intern will report directly to the Project Coordinator sitting in the Tunisia Country Office in Tunis.
• Duration and work hours: The internship assignment is expected to begin as soon as possible and will last for a period of 6 months (with possible extension). The role is full time (40 hours per week). Working hours are 8.30 am to 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday.
• Visa and residencies: Obtaining entry visa including all associated costs are the responsibility of the intern. UNHCR may assist by providing supporting documentation where the intern encounters difficulty or UNHCR intervention or facilitation is required by the authorities.
• Security: Soon after taking office, the intern will be required to complete mandatory online security trainings. Interns are covered under the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) and must comply with all security policies and procedures.
• Food and transportation allowance: UNHCR will provide interns who do not receive financial support from an outside party a Food and Local Transportation Allowance, which will be the equivalent of 10% of the Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) of the duty station (approximately US$400/month for Tunis duty station) and be based on 30 calendar days.
• Absences: UNHCR interns shall accumulate 1.5 leave days per months of continuous service and may take leave following the agreement of the supervisor.