Mentorship Programme for Journalists from the UNHCR

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is pleased to offer a mentorship programme for aspiring journalists from all over the world. Refugees, internally displaced people or stateless people currently studying journalism, communications or a related field are welcome to apply.

About the Programme:-

• The goal of this programme is to help refugees tell their stories – or any story that is important to them – to the world. 

• The programme will bring together internal staff, external media partners and academics to help provide networking and training/educational opportunities during the course of the programme. 

• The length of the programme is six months – although certain flexibility will be granted depending on the circumstances.

• Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most, if not all, of training and reporting will likely be done virtually.

Benefits:-

• Selected candidates will receive training and mentorship related to journalism, reporting and writing skills such as interviewing, pitching stories, and constructing a narrative. 
• Limited funds to cover certain expenses (including but not limited to any travel-related costs, telephone or Internet costs incurred during reporting and costs related to accessing training sessions) will also be provided.

Requirements:-

A successful candidate must:

• Be a refugee, internally displaced, or stateless person.
• Currently be enrolled in a tertiary education institution degree programme.
• Have published at least one piece of non-fiction writing.
• Be able to write/produce projects in English (UNHCR aims to include additional languages in future years).
• Be enthusiastic about sharing stories that shed light on important issues in the world today.

Key Dates:-

• Deadline for applications:  27 November 2020.
• Announcement of successful candidates: 17 December 2020.
• Programme start date: 18 January 2021.

About UNHCR:-

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is a UN agency mandated to aid and protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people, and to assist in their voluntary repatriation, local integration or resettlement to a third country. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, with over 17,300 staff working in 135 countries. Its annual budget has grown from US$300,000 in 1951 to US$8.6 billion in 2019, making it one of the largest UN agencies by expenditure.

See more scholarships available on For9a

See more available online courses on For9a