🇦🇺 Internship in Australia ⚖️ Legal Protection and Solutions at UNHCR 🕊️

Do you want to defend the rights of refugees across one of the world's most expansive regions? UNHCR is offering a Legal Protection and Solutions Internship at its Multi-Country Office in Canberra, supporting protection and durable solutions across Australia, New Zealand and the wider Pacific.

About UNHCR MCO Canberra

UNHCR's Multi-Country Office (MCO) Representation in Canberra is responsible for the promotion of refugee protection and solutions in Australia, New Zealand and the wider Pacific (Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu). Its geographical scope is among the most expansive, stretching from the Indian Ocean in the west to the southern Pacific. Australia and New Zealand have established asylum systems and resettlement programmes and are important strategic partners, while the Pacific Island Countries face significant challenges due to under-developed or non-existent asylum systems and are on the front lines of climate-induced displacement. UNHCR MCO engages a diverse range of stakeholders to protect the rights of forcibly displaced and stateless persons, assist in developing asylum systems, facilitate access to essential services, and support durable solutions.

The Position

This internship supports the MCO Canberra's Legal Protection and Durable Solutions portfolios, coordinating tasks related to protection and solutions across the MCO's country coverage, with a focus on Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Papua New Guinea. The intern works closely across the protection and solutions teams to contribute to legal, operational and advocacy efforts.

What You'll Do

⚖️ Conduct legal research, country of origin information (COI), and thematic analysis to support protection activities and casework.

📚 Conduct desk reviews and contribute to thematic research on protection trends, legal frameworks and policy developments.

🤝 Assist with individual case management, including counselling and referrals for asylum seekers, refugees and other persons of concern.

📞 Assist with management of protection related enquiries (email, phone, social media, in person), including research, drafting proposed responses, and record keeping.

📝 Support the drafting of file notes, reports, briefing documents and other written outputs, and provide administrative support including scheduling and coordination of meetings or events.

📊 Develop infographics, dashboards and other visual tools for advocacy, and prepare presentation materials such as PowerPoint decks, fact sheets and briefing kits, plus other tasks as required.

Who Can Apply

🎓 Be either a recent graduate (having completed studies within two years of applying) or a current student in a graduate or undergraduate programme from a university accredited by IAU/UNESCO.

📘 Have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in the legal field, international relations or a related field.

⚖️ Have experience and/or a demonstrated interest in asylum and refugee protection or human rights.

📊 Have advanced skill in Excel, including pivot tables, and not have exhausted the maximum cumulative UNHCR internship period (8 months full time, 12 months part time).