UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Published purpose

Three Canadian Junior Professional Officers (JPOs) are being recruited by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 2005 and placed in Venezuela (Protection), Pakistan (Durable Solutions) and Myanmar (Program) initially for one year. Canada seeks to increase Canadian representation within UNHCR by providing a $400,000 grant to sponsor the training of three Canadian JPOs. CIDA absorbs all costs associated with the assignment by its sponsorship (i.e. salary, post allowances and transportation). In UNHCR, the JPO gains working experience, while under supervision from UNHCR officers, in the fields of protection and durable solutions for refugees. Through this project, it is expected that young Canadians are familiarized with the work of the UNHCR and gain an entry point to pursue their careers in the field of refugee protection and assistance. The expected outcomes of this project are to increase Canadian representation within UNHCR and to familiarize young Canadians with the work of the UNHCR.