External Relations Intern

April 7, 2026

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

H (no hardship)

FamilyInternship

2026-04-161. Organizational context
Established in December 1950, UNHCR is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for asylum seekers, refugees, returnees, internally displaced communities and stateless people. Every year, millions of men, women and children are forced to flee their homes to escape conflict and persecution. UNHCR currently operates in over 130 countries, using its long expertise to protect and care for millions.
The UNHCR Multi-Country Office (MCO) based in Italy oversees operations in Italy, the Holy See, Malta, and San Marino—countries situated at the crossroads of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, and characterized by diverse asylum systems, distinct legal frameworks, and varying capacities for refugee protection.
This sub region plays a pivotal role in migration and refugee movements to Europe, particularly through the Central and Eastern Mediterranean routes. Irregular arrivals by sea and land, secondary movements, and complex protection needs place continued pressure on national asylum and reception systems. Although the number of arrivals fluctuates, the centrality of these countries in broader European migration dynamics remains constant.
Italy and Malta, in particular, continue to serve as primary entry points to the EU for persons seeking international protection. Their geographic proximity to North Africa positions Italy as a key actor in search and rescue (SAR) activities and in receiving persons rescued at sea.
San Marino and the Vatican City, though not primary asylum destinations, are engaged partners in refugee protection through political advocacy, moral leadership, and resettlement or complementary pathways, especially under community sponsorship and humanitarian corridors supported by faith-based organizations.
UNHCR in Italy operates in an increasingly complex political and institutional environment, marked by the growing centrality of migration governance in national, European and international policy agendas. Italy plays a prominent role in shaping discussions on the external dimension of migration, regional cooperation with countries of origin and transit, asylum system reform and legal pathways, notably through its role in managing the Regional Development and Protection Programme for North Africa (RDPP NA) and through processes such as the Rome Process, the Mattei Plan and the follow-up to the Global Refugee Forum.
The RDPP NA, is a programme established in 2015 to strengthen the protection of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees and improve their living conditions in North Africa, funded through the Asylum Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) Work Programmes for Union Actions. The main objective of the Programme is to support third countries in North Africa and across the Central Mediterranean route to consolidate their migration and asylum systems and build capacities to provide adequate reception, access to international protection and durable solutions within mixed movements contexts.
The Programme is managed by the Italian Ministry of Interior – Department for Civil Liberties and Immigration, leader of the RDPP NA Consortium composed of EU Member States (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden).
MCO supports the implementation and coordination of RDPP NA activities through technical engagement with the Italian Ministry of Interior and other consortium members, contributing to programme monitoring, reporting, visibility, and coordination among stakeholders involved in the programme.

2. The position
The Intern will support the work of the External Relations Unit in connection with the implementation and coordination of the Regional Development and Protection Programme for North Africa (RDPP NA). S/he will contribute to the implementation and monitoring of activities, including supporting the preparation of programme reporting and deliverables, as well as communication and visibility outputs related to the programme. The intern will also support coordination with relevant institutional stakeholders and consortium members involved in RDPP NA implementation. Finally, the intern will support the activities that ensure coherence between the RDPP NA and the portfolio of the External Relations Unit.
Through this experience, the intern will have the opportunity to strengthen and deepen the knowledge acquired during university studies on migration governance and international cooperation on asylum matters through practical work experience, including on-the-job training and coaching, with particular exposure to EU-funded regional protection programmes and coordination mechanisms.

3. Duties and responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Project Coordination Officer, the Intern will perform the following tasks:
• Support the development, implementation and monitoring of activities under the RDPP NA.
• Contribute to ensuring the timely preparation and submission of reporting, analytical summaries, background notes and deliverables as well as communication and visibility outputs related to the RDPP NA.
• Support coordination with the RDPP NA Consortium members and relevant institutional stakeholders, including through preparation of meeting materials and follow-up documentation.
• Support the organization of RDPP NA meetings, workshops and programme-related events.
• Contribute to maintaining organized records and documentation related to RDPP NA activities, deliverables and programme outputs.
• Contribute, as required, to the broader activities and functioning of the External Relations Unit, which supports the coordination and implementation of the RDPP NA programme.

4. Minimum qualifications and skills required:
Essential
• University studies in Law, Human Rights, Political Science, Social Science, Community Development/Social Work, or related areas
• Fluency in both English (required level: B2) and Italian (required level: C2)
• Computer literacy (MS Office)
• Good drafting and communication skills
• Good teamworking skills
• Good organizing skills and ability to work autonomously
• Capacity to work under pressure
Desirable
• Previous working experiences in the field of asylum, migration governance and refugee protection
• Experience in drafting reports, briefing notes or other analytical and communication materials
• Experience supporting stakeholder engagement, institutional relations or event organization
• Knowledge of other UN languages
• Additional computer skills: excellent ability to use Office package and other relevant IT tools.

5. Eligibility
In order to be considered for an internship, candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:
• Be either a recent graduate (having completed their studies within two years of applying) or a current student in a graduate/undergraduate school programme from a university or higher education facility accredited by IAU/UNESCO; and
• Have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in a field relevant or of interest to the work of UNHCR.
NOTE: An individual whose father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister is a staff member of UNHCR, including a Temporary Appointment holder or a member of the Affiliate Workforce, is not eligible for an internship.
Interns who do not receive financial support from an outside party will receive an allowance to partially help cover the cost of food, local transportation and living expenses.
The UNHCR workforce comprises 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, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

6. Conditions
It is a full-time role with working hours starting from 9.00am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday (37.5 hours per week). The successful candidate will be offered a full-time internship in the context of the Regional Development and Protection Programme for North Africa (RDPP NA) coordination activities within the External Relations team at UNHCR Multi-Country Office Italy.

7. Additional Information
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Italy.
English is the official working language of UNHCR in Italy. Only applications fully completed in English will be considered.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Assessment of short-listed candidates might comprise of both an interview and a written test.
UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. UNHCR has a ZERO TOLERANCE policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and sexual harassment. Successful candidates will be subject to mandatory UN Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment clearance check prior to receiving an offer.
UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).
All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
In case of any queries, please contact the Italy HR Team at itarohr@unhcr.org.

Standard Job Description

Required Languages

English

,

Italian

,

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Certifications

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Remote

No