UNHCR Fellow

Overview

Assist in follow up of asylum seekers and monitor Belgian asylum law.

You have:

• Be currently enrolled in a postgraduate programme, preferably in law, political science, or international relations.
• Be able to regularly work from the Brussels office and dedicate sufficient time to the fellowship alongside academic commitments.
• Be fluent in either Dutch or French, with working proficiency (B1–B2 level) in the other language, and demonstrate excellent command of both written and spoken English.
• Demonstrated interest in, or prior experience with, refugee issues or human rights is highly valued.
• Eligibility for this fellowship will also depend on the establishment of a formal collaboration between UNHCR and the applicant’s academic institution in Belgium.
• Only candidates with a valid residence permit in the EU will be considered.

Deadline for Applications

October 6, 2025Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

H (no hardship)Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

FamilyStaff Member / Affiliate Type

FellowTarget Start Date

2025-10-01Terms of Reference

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. We lead international action to protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. We deliver life-saving assistance, help safeguard fundamental human rights, and develop solutions that ensure people have a safe place called home where they can build a better future. We also work to ensure that stateless people are granted nationality. We work in over 130 countries, using our expertise to protect and care for millions.

The Unit for Belgium and Luxembourg in Brussels is recruiting a part-time (minimum 50%) fellows for a minimum duration of six months and up to a maximum of one year, starting in October 2025.

WHAT WE OFFER: • Experience with a United Nations agency; • Insight into asylum and statelessness issues, working with one of the world’s largest humanitarian organizations; • A dynamic, international work environment; • Direct exposure to the experiences of refugees and stateless persons and the work carried out on their behalf; • A chance to augment completed academic studies with the experience necessary to succeed and progress in the chosen field; • A chance to develop and apply your language skills in English, French, and Dutch.

This fellowship is undertaken on a voluntary, unpaid basis. The fellow will not receive any form of compensation or allowance from UNHCR, including Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA). If travel is involved, it will not be arranged or funded by UNHCR.

REQUIREMENTS: To be eligible to this fellowship, applicants must meet the following requirements: • Academic status: Be currently enrolled in a postgraduate programme, preferably in law, political science, or international relations. • Availability: Be able to regularly work from the Brussels office and dedicate sufficient time to the fellowship alongside academic commitments. While teleworking is possible, a balanced mix of remote and in-person presence is expected. Consistent engagement and timely completion of tasks are essential. • Language Proficiency: Be fluent in either Dutch or French, with working proficiency (B1–B2 level) in the other language, and demonstrate excellent command of both written and spoken English. • Relevant Experience or Interest: Demonstrated interest in, or prior experience with, refugee issues or human rights is highly valued. • Eligibility for this fellowship will also depend on the establishment of a formal collaboration between UNHCR and the applicant’s academic institution in Belgium. • Only candidates with a valid residence permit in the EU will be considered.

Duties will include: • Assisting in the follow up of individual cases of asylum seekers, refugees and stateless persons • Monitoring, analyzing and reporting on Belgian asylum law and practice and parliamentary developments • Researching country of origin information and a variety of asylum and statelessness-related issues • Drafting documents including reports and correspondence • Writing, editing and translating texts (in English, Dutch and French, according to native language)

Standard Job Description

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Additional Qualifications

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Other information

Only candidates currently enrolled in an academic institution in Belgium or Luxembourg will be considered.This position doesn't require a functional clearance Remote

No

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Potential interview questions

Added 11 months ago - Updated 11 months ago - Source: unhcr.org