Background
On 25 March 2013, the Court of Final Appeal of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region delivered judgment in C & others v Director of Immigration and the Secretary for Security (FACV18/2011). The Court ruled that the Hong Kong Government, despite not being Party to the 1951 Convention/1967 Protocol, has an independent duty, subject to judicial review, to enquire into whether asserted fear of persecution in the event of return is well-founded.
In compliance with the judgment, on 03 March 2014, the Hong Kong Government commenced its Unified Screening Mechanism (USM) to assess claims for non refoulement protection. Upon the commencement of the USM UNHCR ceased its asylum screening procedures in Hong Kong. Persons who indicate that they will face the risk of persecution upon return to their country of origin and/or those who filed a claim under the USM will continue to be considered as Persons of Concern to UNHCR until a final determination of persecution risk is reached under the USM.
Although UNHCR in Hong Kong is no longer conducting refugee status determination, it is committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that the protection needs of Persons of Concern are adequately met throughout this period of change. Working within national political, economic and social structures, UNHCR maintains open dialogue with Hong Kong authorities and advocates on behalf of refugees on their rights and continuing needs, seeking to improve the quality of protection available in compliance with the territory’s human rights obligations. Utilizing its wealth of unique expertise in international refugee protection, UNHCR is able to contribute to the technical development of the USM in accordance with established international standards.
On the other hand, Private Sector Partnerships (PSP) service is launched in Hong Kong in 2007 in order to raise funds supporting refugees protection works among the world. PSP Hong Kong was the first Private Sector Partnership office in Asia and operates in a highly competitive market. In spite of the competition, the unit has experienced year on year growth and encouraging fundraising results. The unit operates a diverse new donor recruitment programme that covers face-to-face, online and direct response fundraising activities alongside a complex donor retention strategy.
Meanwhile, UNHCR in Hong Kong strives to raise the general awareness of the global refugee situation within Hong Kong society through engagements with schools, universities and other public organisations. For refugees, UNHCR continues to make efforts to secure a durable solution to their situation.
Opportunities
Internships are offered depending on the availability of meaningful projects and the needs and capacity of units/offices to receive and supervise interns.
The kind of projects interns are offered depends on UNHCR requirements as well as the qualifications and interests of the applicant. Most interns work on a project which will benefit them and UNHCR, in fields such as refugee protection (legal and social), fundraising, public information and communications, administration and finance.
The duration of internship is for a minimum period of two months, up to a maximum of six months. Upon the agreement of the intern and the supervisor, an internship may be extended up to a maximum total cumulative internship duration of eight months, provided that the eligibility criteria continue to be met.
Eligibility
In order to be considered eligible for an internship, the following criteria must be fulfilled
- Be a recent graduate or current student in graduate/undergraduate school programme from a university or higher education facility accredited by UNESCO; and
- Have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in a field relevant or of interest to the work of the Organisation.
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.
Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19.