External Relations Intern

External Relations Intern

Apply locations: Bern, Switzerland

Time type: Full time

Posted on: Posted 7 Days Ago

Time left to apply: End Date: January 27, 2025 (10 days left to apply)

Job requisition id: JR2552403

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based): H (no hardship)

Family Type (not applicable for home-based): Family

Staff Member / Affiliate Type: Internship

Target Start Date: 2025-03-26

Deadline for Applications: January 26, 2025

Terms of Reference:

The UNHCR Office for Switzerland and Liechtenstein acts as a country office for Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The Office works closely with the Swiss authorities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), refugees and other relevant actors in Switzerland and Liechtenstein for the protection of forcibly displaced and stateless persons.

The Office is recruiting an External Relations Intern for a 6-month period, on a full-time basis.

Main responsibilities of the External Relations Intern:

1. Assist with the compilation of a daily press review.
2. Assist with the development and implementation of awareness raising activities.
3. Support our cooperation with institutions, companies, media, etc.
4. Draft articles and other texts.
5. Do research and translation work.
6. Support the website and social media activities.
7. Support the organisation of events.
8. Perform other tasks as required.

Selection Criteria:

In order to be considered eligible for an internship, the following criteria must be fulfilled:

1. Be a recent graduate or current student in a graduate/undergraduate school programme from a university or higher education facility accredited by IAU/UNESCO.
2. Have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in media, international relations or related studies and have a particular interest in refugee protection.
3. Not have exhausted the maximum cumulative internship period with UNHCR, including any prior internships (8 months for full-time and 12 months for part-time).
4. Not have a relationship of parent, child or sibling or step-parent, step-child or step-sibling to a current UNHCR staff member or affiliate.
5. Excellent knowledge of English, as well as German AND French (minimum B2 level).
6. Strong drafting skills.
7. Good general working knowledge of communication and public relations principles and methods.
8. Working knowledge of design tools (Canva), social media and newsletter platforms.
9. Knowledge of the Swiss media landscape is an advantage.

What makes this position attractive:

Our interns are part of a small but dynamic team and benefit from individual supervision. They are involved in day-to-day tasks, but are also entrusted with specific longer and shorter term projects. It is important for us that interns profit from the given tasks and learn more about UNHCR’s mandate and activities. There is also the possibility of hybrid working, i.e. a combination of teleworking and on-site presence at the office in Berne.

Interns who do not receive financial support from an outside party will receive an allowance to partially help to cover the cost of food, local transportation and living expenses. Interns are expected to make their own arrangements for travel, visa, accommodation and living expenses during the internship period. Please be aware that this internship does not carry any expectation or entitlement to employment with UNHCR at the conclusion of the internship or at any time thereafter.

We welcome applications from candidates with a refugee or stateless background.

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).

Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a test.

The successful candidate would ideally start on 26 March 2025.

Standard Job Description

Required Languages: English, German, French

Desired Languages:

Additional Qualifications:

Skills

Education

Certifications

Work Experience

Other information:

This position doesn't require a functional clearance.

Home-Based: No

Welcome to UNHCR’s new recruitment platform:

Please note that applications are only accepted via the UNHCR online recruitment platform. CVs and/or application requests sent via email will not be answered, reviewed nor considered.

For external applicants:

• We would like to call your attention on the eligibility of International Professional (P) category: According to our Recruitment and Assignments Policy, P staff members will not normally serve in the country of their nationality, and the first regular appointment in the P category must be outside the staff member's country of nationality. In practical terms this means that you are not eligible to apply for International Professional vacancies advertised in the country where you are national of.
• In case of technical difficulties when applying, external applicants (not current UNHCR workforce members) can write to recruitment@case.unhcr.org.
• Former UNHCR employees who are on mandatory break-in service or have separated from UNHCR after 1 October 2022 should create an account through this platform. Once you fill in your basic personal information (employee ID, birth date, name, email address), Workday will identify you as prior personnel and merge your employee account with your external applicant account.

Diversity:

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.

About Us:

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, takes the lead in protecting people forced to flee wars and persecution around the world, providing life-saving aid including shelter, food and water to ensure their basic safety, rights and dignity. With 18,879 women and men working in 137 countries, we work tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of 89.3 million forcibly displaced people worldwide.

Our dedicated and professional staff work around the clock in roles including legal protection, community services, public affairs, health and more. Despite the challenges they can face, our staff are proud to work for UNHCR and determined to make a positive impact.

Why a career with UNHCR?

Our dedicated staff work to protect and assist people fleeing conflict and persecution at a time when global forced displacement is at a record high. Our colleagues bring a wide range of specialized skills, including expertise in legal protection, administration, community services, public affairs, health and other disciplines.

Disability inclusion:

If you are a person with a disability and you expect you may face challenges during the recruitment process, you can indicate it in your application form. There are options to select any health conditions you may have and outline any necessary adjustments related to disabilities during the recruitment phases. Providing this information is optional. It will be treated as strictly confidential and used only for the purpose of finding out how to better assist you during the recruitment process.

Adjustments for candidates with disabilities will be provided as best as possible and as needed upon request.

All candidates will be assessed based on meeting the requirements for each vacancy in relation to experience, skills, and education.