Job Details
Job Title | External Relations / Communications Intern
Job ID | 34542
Location | Lesvos, Greece
Salary Grade
Hardship Level | H
Family Location Type | Family
Eligible Applicants
This position is open to all applicants.
Non-EU applicants can apply provided they have the required documents to work in Greece.
Interested applicants are invited to apply on-line using the external Careers pages www.unhcr.org/careers and https://www.unhcr.org/gr-jobs/ .
Kindly note that only electronic applications submitted through the website mentioned above will be considered.
Duties and Qualifications
Operational Context:
Currently, some 96,000 asylum-seekers and refugees are hosted in Greece. In 2021, over 6,300 people have arrived either by sea or lands with significant reduction compared to previous years. UNHCR supports the Government who coordinates the refugee and migrant response in the development of policy, capacity building and targeted interventions in the areas of reception, asylum procedures and for finding durable solutions, with a focus on integration.
Within these 96,000 persons, there are currently almost 5,800 refugees and asylum-seekers on the Aegean islands. The Greek government will open new “Multipurpose Reception and Identification Centres” on the five Aegean islands hosting asylum-seekers, namely Lesvos, Samos, Chios, Leros and Kos. The first such centre was inaugurated on Samos in September 2021.
UNHCR also has multiple interventions in core areas of Child Protection, GBV and areas addressing specific needs of persons of concern. The Office retains a readiness to respond to emergencies and new arrivals, with a focus on immediate support to the most vulnerable.
UNHCR Greece plays a strong advocacy role since continued support is needed particularly from EU countries and EU institutions in providing immediate protection to those most at-risk through sufficient resources, ensuring capacity in the country and responsibility-sharing. UNHCR, along with other actors, fully supports the relocation process led by the Greek government and supported by the EU, of unaccompanied children, vulnerable asylum-seeking families and refugees. To date, some 4,381 people have been relocated from Greece to 14 EU countries. UNHCR will continue to assist Greek authorities in responding to both short and long-term challenges.
SO Lesvos is coordinating UNHCR activities in other offices in Aegean islands. Lesvos is a family duty station. In accordance with UNDSS security risk assessment, the whole Greek operation is classified as Security Level 2 (low). Security Clearance is required for travelling in the country.
The External Relations/Communications Intern will be part of the External Relations and Communications Unit of UNHCR Sub-Office Lesvos, helping to promote UNHCR’s work and mandate, to raise awareness to the plight of refugees, to shift public perception, and to keep the Organization abreast of major sociopolitical developments. More specifically, the incumbent will be involved in media interactions, the production and dissemination of internal and external reports, in coordination activities, in facilitating high level visits and in producing human interest stories. The External Relations/Communications Intern will report to the Assistant Government Liaison Officer, and shall work closely with other UNHCR staff members, as well as authorities, NGOs, civil society and volunteers, gaining a horizontal knowledge of the operation in the process, sharpening skills and acquiring experience in the fields of humanitarian work and external relations. The role requires high ethical standards, the ability to handle information in a professional manner, excellent communication and interpersonal skills and political awareness.
Eligibility requirements
In order to be considered for the internship, candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:
– Be a recent graduate* or current student in a graduate/undergraduate school programme from a university or higher education facility accredited by UNESCO;
– Have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in a field relevant or of interest to the work of the Organization
– Have no immediate relatives (father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister) working as staff members of UNHCR, including a Temporary Appointment holders or members of the Affiliate Workforce.
(* Recent graduates are to be considered those persons who completed their studies within one year of applying for an internship with UNHCR.)
Duties and Responsibilities:
– Assist with coordinating media requests – arranging interviews for the Head of Sub-Office or the Assistant Government Liaison Officer;
– Assist in consolidation of data for preparation of periodic reports such as statistics’ snapshots, and for background briefings to media;
– Prepare briefing kits for visitors;
– Monitor local media (including online, print and social media) and report on major developments;
– Assist with photo coverage of UNHCR activities;
– Send invitations for coordination meetings and take minutes of the meetings;
– Provide administrative support in routine services and activities within the Unit.
Minimum qualifications
Essential:
– Fluency in Greek and English
– Very good drafting skills
– Very good computer skills (MS Office)
Desirable:
– Degree in Journalism, Social Science or Humanities
All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.
As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
Additional Information
Duration of the internship: 2 months, with possibility of extension
Allowance: 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.
The closing date for submission is 29 March 2022 (Midnight, Geneva).
– No late applications will be accepted.
– Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
– Shortlisted candidates may have to undergo an oral interview and/or a written test.
Recruitment as a UNHCR intern is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19.
UNHCR is an equal opportunity employer and does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).
UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
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