Deadline for ApplicationsSeptember 16, 2025
Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)H (no hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeFellow
Target Start Date2026-01-12
Terms of ReferenceUNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is offering a full-time fellowship with the Protection Policy and Legal Advice Section (PPLA) of the Division of International Protection and Solutions (DIPS) at UNHCR HQ in Geneva, Switzerland.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. We lead international action to protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. Our vision is a world where every person forced to flee can build a better future. UNHCR was established by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1950 in the aftermath of the Second World War to help the millions of people who had lost their homes. Today, we provide life-saving assistance, including shelter, food, water and medical care for people forced to flee conflict and persecution, many of whom have nobody left to turn to. We defend their right to reach safety and help them find a place to call home so they can rebuild their lives. Long term, we work with countries to improve and monitor refugee and asylum laws and policies, ensuring human rights are upheld.
Organizational context:
The fellowship will be placed within the Legal Unit of DIPSโ PPLA Section. The Division provides the necessary thematic, functional and operational support to enhance protection. The Policy and Law Service leads the progressive development and implementation of international law and protection policy relating to forced displacement and statelessness. The Legal Unit is responsible for developing legal and doctrinal guidance, and providing legal advice to Operations and Divisions on myriad issues related to refugee protection.
The position:
The fellow will provide valuable assistance to the Section, particularly to the Legal Unit. The focus of the fellowship is the ongoing legal protection work of UNHCR vis-ร -vis refugees and the fellowship will familiarize the candidate with the daily realities of UNHCR HQ.
Duties and responsibilities:
The overarching objectives of the fellowship โ from the perspective of the fellow โ are (i) to gain a deeper knowledge of the work of UNHCR and the international legal frameworks governing the organizationโs work in relation to refugee protection and the organizationโs supervisory responsibility, and (ii) to practice and develop โprofessional working skillsโ, such as time management, prioritization of tasks, teamwork, presentation skills, legal research and drafting skills.
The fellow will be directly involved in various legal and policy aspects of PPLAโs work. The work may also include some routine elements (e.g. assisting with the preparation of meetings and note taking).
Possible tasks may include:
โข conducting legal research and analysis and updating and/or drafting research papers on topics of relevance to UNHCR's policy and legal work on the protection of refugees in particular relating to developments in international law, legal doctrinal guidance, and domestic legislation;
โข assisting with collecting and analyzing data on refugee treaties and developments in national legislation;
โข editing position papers and other legal documents including reviewing citations;
โข where appropriate, attending meetings, workshops and seminars, taking notes and reporting back to the team.
Essential minimum qualifications required:
To be considered for the fellowship, candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:
โข Current student or recent graduate (those persons who completed their studies within one year of applying) in international law, preferably including human rights or refugee law, at a graduate law school programme from a university or higher education facility accredited by UNESCO;
โข Have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in a field relevant or of interest to the work of the Organization; and
โข Fluency in English (both oral and written) and working knowledge in a second UN language.
Additional Skills and requirements:
โข Strong analytical skills;
โข Excellent written and oral communication skills;
โข Creative thinking;
โข Ability to work independently and in a team;
โข Computer literacy (MS Office);
โข Favourable disposition to working effectively and harmoniously with colleagues from varied cultures and backgrounds;
โข Demonstrated affinity with the protection and rights of refugees.
Location:
The fellowship will be based at UNHCR HQ in Geneva, Switzerland.
Conditions & Allowances:
This fellowship is full time (40 hours per week), Monday to Friday.
The fellowship, including food, local transportation, living expenses and travel costs to and from the duty station must be covered by an outside party.
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).
We welcome applications from candidates with a refugee background.
Standard Job Description
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Other informationUniversity of Michigan Law SchoolThis position doesn't require a functional clearance
RemoteNo