Protection Intern - Translation

Deadline for Applications August 29, 2026 Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based) A (least hardship) Family Type (not applicable for home-based) Family Staff Member / Affiliate Type Internship Target Start Date 2026-09-01 Terms of Reference UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is offering a full-time internship with the Protection Unit –at UNHCR Algiers, Algeria. 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. Organizational context: UNHCR has been accredited to the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, a signatory to the 1951 Convention relating to the status of refugees, since 1984. It provides protection and assistance to persons of concern in both urban and camp settings. UNHCR’s operation in Algiers serves more than 10,000 refugees and asylum-seekers from the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa. At the request of the Algerian authorities, UNHCR undertakes registration and status determination for asylum-seekers and helps them to secure durable solutions once recognized as refugees.

Under the supervision of the Associate Refugee Status Determination (RSD) Officer and in line with UNHCR standards, policies and operating procedures, the intern will support the activities of the Protection Unit. The Protection Intern will provide support to the Protection Team in interpreting and translating communication between asylum seekers and refugees and UNHCR staff, as well as assisting in identifying and responding to Persons with Specific Needs (PWSN) who require protection counselling and assistance. Moreover, the Protection intern will support the RSD Team within the Protection Unit with key activities of refugee status determination and resettlement. This role will also allow the intern to gain practical exposure to UNHCR protection standards, working with local partners, and the broader protection framework. Duties and responsibilities: • Interpret/translate between UNHCR staff and asylum seekers and refugees in one-to-one interviews as well as in multilateral meetings. • Support the identification of PwSN and document their needs and protection risks. • Assist in providing general protection counselling to PwSN, and more generally asylum seekers and refugees. • Support Refugee Status Determination and Resettlement procedures: Conduct Country of Origin Information (COI) research, legal analysis to support Refugee Status Determination and first instance and appeal decisions, resettlement activities. Assist with the system for the triaging and prioritization of cases for interviews. • Help determine appropriate responses, including referrals to partners or other relevant UNHCR units. • Maintain accurate records of interactions, cases, and follow-up actions. • Support the preparation of briefing notes or summaries for other protection staff. • Work closely with UNHCR Protection staff and partners to ensure that PwSN receive timely and appropriate protection support. • Attend team briefings, trainings, and relevant inter-agency meetings as appropriate. Minimum qualifications required: 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. • Very good command of spoken and written Arabic, French,