Employment in Australia

Vacancies at UNHCR Representation in Canberra

There are currently no vacancies at UNHCR's Representation in Canberra. 

Internships at UNHCR Representation in Canberra

UNHCR provides interns with a learning opportunity to gain knowledge and practical experience related to their academic programme or future work in a field related to UNHCR’s mission.

UNHCR is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic workforce committed to protecting the rights of refugees, asylum-seekers and stateless persons.

Internship opportunities are periodically offered at the UNHCR Regional Representation in Canberra.

Legal Protection

As a legal protection intern, you will join a team of specialized staff who have a strong focus on refugee law, including international and human rights law. You will be provided with the opportunity to gain practical legal work experience and the unique opportunity to contribute to the work of the United Nations.

Successful candidates will engage in legal and policy work encompassing many aspects of legal protection of refugees and others of concern to the office. You will be expected to work independently on a variety of protection issues and tasks, yet in close collaboration with colleagues and particularly fellow interns. 

Applicants must be recent graduates or have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in the legal field and have experience and/or a demonstrated interest in asylum and refugee protection or human rights.

Outreach and Solutions

In undertaking an outreach and solutions internship you will be provided with the opportunity to participate in advocacy and individual case management activities of the office for the benefit of refugees, asylum-seekers and other persons of concern to UNHCR. 

Successful candidates will undertake legal research and engage in activities to support objectives relating to refugee status determination, resettlement and protection monitoring. 

Applicants must be recent graduates or have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in the legal field and have experience and/or a demonstrated interest in asylum and refugee protection or human rights. Applicants coming from Pacific Island countries and/or with demonstrated experience in the context of policy framework in the Pacific region will have a competitive preference in the selection process. 

External Relations

UNHCR is seeking an intern to join the Representation in Canberra in 2022. The ideal candidate will be a recent graduate, with a commitment to refugee issues and a desire to develop their skills and experience in media relations and communications (including web-based and social media).

All candidates should be computer literate and have the ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality at all times. Good interpersonal skills, flexibility and attention to detail are essential.

A background in media, journalism, communications, PR, advocacy, human rights, politics, international relations, development studies or other relevant disciplines is preferred. 

Records and Information Management

As the Records and Information Management intern, you will be provided with the opportunity to develop revised records management and information sharing systems for the Regional Representation that comply with UNHCR’s revised Policy on the Management of UNHCR Records and Archives.

Applicants must be in their final year of an undergraduate degree at a minimum and have undertaken records management and archival administration or related courses.

Internship Conditions

Internships are offered on a full-time basis, Monday to Friday from 8.45am to 5.00pm for a minimum period of three months, up to a maximum of six months, provided that the eligibility criteria continue to be met.

How to Apply

Please send your current resume and a covering letter outlining your qualifications, experience and motivation for applying for an internship at the Multi-Country Representation to [email protected]. Please indicate the specific internship for which you wish to be considered and the period you would like to undertake your internship. Applications are accepted throughout the year.

Good to know when applying

Interns may be eligible to receive financial support from an outside party, usually a university, and are strongly encouraged to explore their sponsorship options. A Food and Local Transportation Allowance of a maximum of USD 1,000 per month is provided to non-sponsored interns only. 

It is the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institution to arrange for travel to and from the duty station upon commencement and conclusion of the internship. All related travel expenses, including visas, will be paid by the intern or sponsoring institution. UNHCR does not cover the cost of travel or visas.

All interns who are not nationals of the country where their duty station is located must show proof of valid medical insurance coverage, including illness, accidents and repatriation coverage, to cover the full period of the internship. UNHCR accepts no responsibility for any costs connected to medical insurance of interns.

You may also be interested to read the answers to some Frequently Asked Questions:

How long are internships with UNHCR Canberra?

Internships last from three to six months.

What is the deadline for applying?

Applications are open throughout the year and are kept on file. We will contact you if we are interested in interviewing you for an internship.

Can I get financial support?

A Food and Local Transportation Allowance of a maximum of USD 1,000 per month is provided to non-sponsored interns only. 

Are there opportunities in other regions?

UNHCR offers internship opportunities around the world, including the UNHCR Headquarters in Geneva or UNHCR’s fundraising association Australia for UNHCR in Sydney.