DC Service Corps Program - UNHCR Protection Counselor

Save to Favorites

DC Service Corps Program - UNHCR Protection Counselor Position Overview:

Spend your next year assisting refugees and asylum-seekers by listening to their stories and connecting them with legal resources through the UN Refugee Agency’s refugee and asylum-seeker hotline. Grow in your understanding of local and international influences on migration by serving alongside experienced human rights advocates while using your bilingual Spanish-speaking skills.

About the DC Service Corps Program:

The DC Service Corps (DCSC) Program offers young-adult Catholics opportunities to learn about nonprofits, deepen one’s commitment to service, grow in faith, and live out the Franciscan values daily. In the spirit of Saints Francis and St. Clare, participants serve for a year in various ministries, sharing Christ’s love and cultivating relationships of peace and justice.

This transformative experience is enriched by an intentional Christian community, in which participants focus on simple living, prayer, reflection, and living the Gospel mission of "service and action for a more just and humane world." As a house of hospitality, Casa San Salvador also provides participants with the opportunity to live with (and offer hospitality to) guests from around the world. The house is located in a vibrant Catholic community of DC, walking distance to the National Basilica, restaurants and shops, and a metro and bus stop hub.

Protection Counselor’s Responsibilities:

-Answer calls, emails, and letters of asylum-seekers.

-Provide asylum-seekers with access and information to legal services, self-help materials, US asylum system information and more.

-Respond to global individual refugee resettlement cases.

-Supervise a team of interns and volunteers.

-Support other members of the Protection & Solutions Unit.

-Participate in intentional community and the DC Service Corps Program.

Required Qualifications:

-Must be 21-35 years old and have a desire to develop servant leadership skills.

-Must be bilingual English/Spanish speaking.

Desired Qualifications:

-Have an interest in working on global, regional and domestic refugee issues.

-Have a commitment to providing services to the disadvantaged and to human rights and refugee protection.

-Have excellent communication skills and patience.

-Keen analytical skills, excellent research and writing abilities and attention to detail are also important.

-Open to learning about Franciscan spirituality and committed to living in an intentional community.

Benefits:

-Receive ongoing training and education on UNHCR and its role internationally and in the United States, asylum law and the asylum system in the United States.

-Opportunities to attend special events, presentations and discussions about issues related to refugee protection in the United States and internationally.

-Interact with and support lawyers in the Protection and Solutions Unit who will provide regular supervision.

-Friendships for life in an intentional community.

-Professional development and spiritual formation.

-Monthly stipend, health insurance, and a fully-furnished bedroom in a vibrant DC community.

How to apply:

-Submit an application by visiting the following webpage: https://franciscanmissionservice.org/programs/dc-service-corps/#application

About Franciscan Mission Service:

Franciscan Mission Service (FMS) is an independent nonprofit organization that provides Catholic women and men the opportunity to serve in solidarity with economically marginalized communities around the world. FMS trains, sends, and supports lay Catholics to accompany others in a way that is respectful of cultural and religious differences. Our missioners take on a posture of humility and honor the wisdom of the communities in which they live.