Switzerland Intern for the Community Services Unit/ UNHCR

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees www.unhcr.org

Background

The community Services (CS) Unit in the Division of International Protection (DIP) at headquarters coordinates matters which are relevant to community-based protection of displaced populations and supports UNHCR’s Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) approach.

Through the systematic application of an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) approach in its operations worldwide, UNHCR seeks to ensure that all persons of concern enjoy their rights on an equal footing and are able to participate fully in the decisions that affect their lives and the lives of their family members and communities.

Age, Gender and Diversity Mainstreaming started in 2005 and has contributed to increasing the protection of women, men, girls and boys of concern to the agency. Whereas a broad range of child protection and gender equality has already been developed, the Diversity aspect of the AGD was less clearly defined. With the new 2011 AGD policy, the focus on diversity has been intensified and individuals and groups falling under diversity have been identified. These include persons with disabilities, older persons, LGBTI persons and minorities and indigenous groups. Following from this, the development of a range of guidance material for UNHCR and partner staff has been started, including a Need to Know Guidance series, training modules and e-learning courses.

The AGD approach has further developed since its introduction to UNHCR in 2005. Different management and accountability tools have been developed to monitor implementation and measure impact. Furthermore, all country operations have applied specific measures to mainstream the framework and address a variety of issues in partnership with stakeholders and partners. An annual analysis of the AGD Accountability Framework monitors progress and gaps, forming the basis for intensified work in the identified gap areas.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Age, Gender and Diversity Policy, 8 June 2011,http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4def34f6887.html
Need to Know Guidance Series: http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4e6073972.html

As part of its protection policy, UNHCR pursues a community development approach. This is designed to enable staff to empower refugees and other persons of concern to the Office by working alongside them to identify and introduce measures that will make a positive difference to their life, as well as the life of their host community. Implementing a community-development approach necessitates a multifunctional team effort, bringing to bear a wide range of cross-sectoral skills in the course of the operation cycle. The CS function plays an important role in establishing a sound understanding of the situation of persons of concern on which to build effective and equitable protection strategies for all individuals and groups, including persons with disabilities, older persons and others with specific needs.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Community Services: towards a community development approach, 31 May2011, EC/62/SC/CRP.16, http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4e967d852.html

UNHCR Manual on a Community Based Approach in UNHCR Operations:http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/47da54722.html

Tasks

The intern will perform the following activities:

I. Age, Gender and Diversity approach
 Provide support to organize the Age, Gender and Diversity conference in Geneva in 2013  Provide support to the analysis of the 2012/13 AGD Accountability Framework (http://www.unhcr.org/50066fdf9.html)

II. Protection of diverse groups within forced displacement  Support the development of new modules for the Need to Know Guidance series (http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/5006aa262.html) on effective communication and women in leadership  Support the organization of the LGBTI training in different locations  Provide admin support for field deployments to increase the protection of older persons  Support the implementation of the disability action plan  Support the CS team in monitoring country operations and analyse the End of Year reports 2012

III. Community-based Protection  Support the coordination of the design, printing and dissemination of the new guiding principles on community-based protection  Support the organization of three orientation workshops in the field

IV. Information and Knowledge Management  Analyse, compile, and disseminate data and reports to relevant stakeholders including field offices, partners and donors  Update the intranet  Organize webinars with UNHCR and partner staff  Take minutes during meetings

V. Development of Training Material  Provide support for the development of the “Socially Excluded Groups”
e-learning course and roll-out

VI. Revision of the Community Services Function  Assist with the review of CS concept paper and operationisation of community-based protection  Assist in strengthening organizational understanding and visibility of CS activities, and sensitization of diversity

VII. Other  Assist with conference preparation as required, and provide support to the unit and division with any other administrative tasks as necessary

Requirements

 Study of, or Bachelor or Master’s Degree in Development, International Social Work, Anthropology, Social Sciences, International Relations or related work  Previous internships, volunteer work or extra-curricular activities in working with refugee communities and/or socially excluded groups, field experience is considered an asset  Good organizational skills  Good English writing and editing skills  Knowledge of another UN language (French and Arabic are considered an asset)  Interest in displacement, humanitarian work and human rights with specific interest in social development, promotion of diversity and support to vulnerable groups  Attention to detail and ability to prioritize within a multi-tasking environment; Timeframe

Internship 1: November 15, 2012 to May 2013 (6 months, dates are flexible) Internship 2: 6 months, dates are flexible

Additional information

Internships with UNHCR are not remunerated.

How to apply: 

Please send your CV, cover letter and writing sample per e-mail to Ms. Charity Alikuleti, alikulet@unhcr.org until November 1, 2012 for the internship starting in November 2012.

For internships with the Community Services unit in 2013, submit your application until December 31, 2012 to Stefanie Krause, krauses@unhcr.org.