UNHCR Internship Program | Humanitarian Internships Summer 2025

Would you be interested in learning about working with a United Nations agency and actually getting to learn from one of the biggest organizations that helps refugees? Well, if that sounds attractive to you, then don?t waste any time and apply for the latest UNHCR internship! This organization has been out here for ages while fighting for human rights and protecting people on a global level. And guess what? As an intern, you?ll have the chance to see how these big international organizations actually work. Plus, it?s a great way to build your skills, learn new perspectives, and be part of something that actually makes a difference for refugees worldwide.

If you?re living anywhere in the USA, there are plenty of traineeships and summer internships you can apply for in legal protection, refugee agency, humanitarian work, and even more areas. But that?s not all. There are also international vacancies in different fields like finance, marketing, and more. So if you?re someone who really cares about humanitarian work, refugee rights, or just making a real impact, don?t let this opportunity pass you by! Get your application in before it?s too late!

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Fully Funded UNHCR Internship for Undergraduates | Application Form Details & More

About United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is a specialized global agency. It is dedicated to providing protection and support for persons who have been displaced due to civil war, persecution, or human rights-related issues. Established in 1950, the UNHCR works with Member and non-Member States, international organizations, and civil societies. It does this to develop standards and solutions for resettlement, repatriation, and guidance for peace development programs.

This United Nations agency has various initiatives such as granting legal services, material aid programs, and emergency relief operations in conflict areas. It has helped hundreds of thousands of refugees build stable lives and regain their human dignity. The organization actively engages in public advocacy work as it works to ensure that refugee rights are properly protected across all nations worldwide. Both the United Nations General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council are its parent organizations.

Also, Check Out: UNESCO Internship for Undergraduate & Graduate Students

Types of UNHCR Internships

UNHCR offers multiple internship opportunities suited to students and recent graduates with different academic backgrounds and career interests. Whether you?re looking for a short summer internship, a humanitarian-focused role, or an opportunity to work directly with refugees, there?s a program that suits your goals. UNHCR offers a variety of internships, as follows:

1. Summer Internships

UNHCR summer internships usually last between two and three months and are available at its headquarters in Geneva and other field offices across the world. Since summer programs correspond with academic breaks, they are perfect for students who want to spend their time working in a globally recognized organization rather than taking traditional summer jobs.

Interns in this program may assist with research projects, communications, administrative work, data analysis, or refugee protection services, depending on their skills and area of interest. These internships are often competitive due to high demand, so applicants must submit strong applications to stand out. While some positions are paid, others may require interns to secure external funding or support from their universities.

Key Features:
? Duration: Usually 2-3 months during summer breaks.
? Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and graduate students.
? Location: Headquarters (Geneva) & various global field offices.
? Roles: Research, data analysis, refugee protection, communications, and admin work.
? Salary: Some positions offer stipends, while others require external funding.
? Best for: Students looking for a short-term internship with global exposure.

2. Humanitarian Internships

The Humanitarian Internship program at UNHCR is designed for students and graduates who have a strong interest in humanitarian aid, refugee rights, and crisis response. Interns in this program learn about the daily operations of one of the world?s leading humanitarian organizations. They are involved in emergency response planning, advocacy for displaced communities, policy research, and supporting field officers in refugee camps.

Interns can be placed at headquarters, regional offices, or directly in field locations. Those in the field may assist with food distribution, medical aid coordination, and organizing temporary shelters for refugees. It is an interactive internship that provides interns with a real-world understanding of international relief efforts.

Key Features:
? Duration: 3 to 6 months.
? Eligibility: Ideal for students and graduates in international relations, human rights, or political science.
? Location: Headquarters, regional hubs, and field offices.
? Roles: Emergency response, advocacy, refugee assistance, and policy research.
? Salary: Stipends are available for most positions.
? Best for: Students who want humanitarian fieldwork experience.

3. Refugee Internships

If you are passionate about working directly with displaced individuals, then the Refugee Internship program is for you. Interns in this category often work in refugee shelters, resettlement programs, asylum application processes, and social integration projects. Their tasks may include helping displaced families find housing, assisting with legal paperwork for asylum seekers, organizing educational activities, or even providing mental health support.

Since the refugee crisis is a constantly evolving challenge, interns need to be prepared for a constantly changing work environment. These internships are mostly based in regions with a high number of refugees, such as Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. For those seeking careers in refugee advocacy, social work, or migration policies, this placement provides a great starting point.

Key Features:
? Duration: 4 to 6 months (extendable).
? Eligibility: Open to students from social work, psychology, law, and public policy backgrounds.
? Location: Field offices, refugee camps, and legal aid centres.
? Roles: Resettlement, legal aid, integration programs, and asylum applications.
? Salary: Some paid opportunities, but some require self-funding.
? Best for: Those looking for direct involvement in refugee communities.

4. Communications and Media Internships

With humanitarian efforts relying heavily on public awareness and media outreach, the Communications and Media Internship at UNHCR is designed for students interested in journalism, content creation, digital marketing, and media production. Interns work on press releases, refugee storytelling campaigns, social media strategy, and advocacy reports to help spread awareness of the refugee crisis.

The communications team collaborates with news agencies, social media influencers, and documentary filmmakers to amplify refugee voices. Interns can work on projects such as editing short films, creating graphics for campaigns, writing impact stories, or even managing UNHCR?s social media accounts.

Key Features:
? Duration: 3 to 6 months.
? Eligibility: Ideal for students in journalism, media, public relations, and digital marketing.
? Location: Headquarters and regional offices.
? Roles: Social media, refugee storytelling, PR, media outreach, and advocacy campaigns.
? Salary: Some paid positions, but not all.
? Best for: Creatives who want to tell impactful refugee stories.

5. Legal and Protection Internships

For law students or those interested in human rights, Legal Internships at UNHCR focus on asylum laws, refugee protection policies, and international humanitarian law. Interns assist legal officers with asylum applications, conduct legal research, and support advocacy for refugee rights.

Moreover, interns may be involved in drafting legal opinions, reviewing UN conventions, or even representing refugees in asylum proceedings. This is a high-responsibility role that allows interns to work with UN lawyers, government agencies, and human rights organizations.

Key Features:
? Duration: 3 to 6 months.
? Eligibility: Open to students studying law, international relations, and human rights.
? Location: UNHCR legal offices and headquarters.
? Roles: Asylum processing, refugee protection, policy drafting, legal aid.
? Salary: Some stipends are available.
? Best for: Law students who want to acquire experience in international refugee law.

Internships Overview

Internship Type

Salary (Allowance)

Deadline

Start Date

Location

Summer Internships

Approx. $700 ? $1,200/month

April ? May (varies by posting)

June ? August

Geneva, Field Offices

Humanitarian Internships

Approx. $800 ? $1,300/month

Ongoing (year-round applications)

Flexible

Global Field Offices

Refugee Internships

Approx. $750 ? $1,250/month

Ongoing (year-round applications)

Flexible

Refugee Camps, Field Offices

Communications Internships

Varies ($500 ? $1,000/month)

March ? June (depends on position)

Flexible

Geneva, Regional Offices

Legal & Protection Internships

Approx. $900 ? $1,400/month

March ? June (depends on position)

Flexible

Legal Offices, HQ

IT & Data Science Internships

Approx. $850 ? $1,300/month

March ? June (depends on position)

Flexible

Budapest, Amman, Copenhagen

UNHCR Internship Interview Questions:

Alright, so getting an interview with the UNHCR is kinda a big deal, but if you really wanna make a good impression, you gotta make sure you bring your A-game. It?s not just about answering questions but about making them see why you?d be a total asset to their team. If you do your homework and actually understand what they focus on, you?ll impress them way more. Plus, if you can explain how your own skills and experiences fit into what they need, that?s a win. The trick to succeeding? Give convincing answers that actually show off your achievements, leadership skills, and any outstanding work you?ve done.

How to Apply for the UNHCR Internship?

So, applying for the UNHCR internship isn?t exactly easy. It takes effort and patience, but trust us, it?s totally worth it. You can grab the application form straight from UNHCR?s official website, and that?s also where you?ll find all the details you need to get through the whole process without messing up. Before you even think about hitting submit, make sure you?ve actually read everything properly. Every step has to be followed exactly how they want it, no shortcuts! Plus, you?ll need to attach documents that prove you?ve got the right background and experience for the role you?re applying for. Once you?ve got everything sorted, just upload the whole thing online according to the instructions in the job listing, and you?re good to go!

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