The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Refugee Agency, is inviting applications for the position of Fundraising Intern based in Montreal, Canada. This exciting internship opportunity offers motivated students and recent graduates the chance to gain hands-on professional experience while contributing to life-saving humanitarian work that supports millions of displaced people worldwide
With a target start date of 1 September 2025 and a competitive monthly allowance, this internship is ideal for individuals interested in communications, fundraising, international development, and nonprofit engagement—particularly those fluent in both French and English.
About UNHCR
UNHCR leads global efforts to protect people forced to flee due to conflict, violence, and persecution. Operating in 137 countries, UNHCR delivers essential services such as shelter, food, water, legal protection, healthcare, and education. With nearly 19,000 staff members worldwide, the organization supports more than 89 million forcibly displaced people.
UNHCR’s work is driven by compassion, professionalism, and a commitment to human dignity. A career with UNHCR means contributing directly to humanitarian solutions at a time when global displacement is at record levels.
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Internship Overview
The Fundraising Intern position is part of UNHCR Canada’s Private Sector Partnerships (PSP) team. The internship focuses on strengthening fundraising engagement in Quebec, with particular emphasis on the Montreal region and French-speaking donors.
Interns will work closely with experienced fundraising professionals and be entrusted with meaningful responsibilities from day one. The role is designed to combine academic learning with real-world application while encouraging creativity, initiative, and independent thinking.
Key Internship Details
- Position Title: Fundraising Intern
- Location: Montreal, Canada
- Employment Type: Full-time Internship
- Target Start Date: 1 September 2025
- Application Deadline: 23 January 2026
- Job Requisition ID: JR2558897
- Hardship Level: H (No hardship)
- Family Type: Family duty station
- Remote Work: No
Applicants must be legally eligible to work in Canada at the time of application.
Purpose of the Internship
The primary goal of this internship is to support PSP Canada’s fundraising efforts in Quebec. Quebec represents a strategic market for UNHCR, particularly due to its large French-speaking population and strong culture of philanthropy.
By leveraging bilingual communication skills, the intern will help UNHCR:
- Enhance engagement with French-speaking donors
- Expand its regional donor base
- Strengthen localized fundraising strategies
- Improve donor communications and outreach
This internship also provides UNHCR with an opportunity to assess future fundraising needs while building localized capacity in Quebec.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Senior PSP Officer (Head of PSP Canada) and the operations team, the Fundraising Intern will perform a variety of tasks, including:
- Supporting the development and execution of fundraising strategies tailored to the Quebec market
- Building and strengthening relationships with existing French-speaking donors
- Assisting with the planning and delivery of fundraising events in Montreal, such as donor receptions, community outreach activities, and partner activations
- Conducting prospect research to identify potential individual donors, foundations, and corporate partners
- Translating, adapting, and localizing donor-facing materials into French
- Engaging donor prospects through direct outreach, follow-up, and personalized communication
- Providing timely responses to donor inquiries to support satisfaction and retention
- Gathering and analyzing insights on Quebec’s fundraising landscape and donor behavior
- Maintaining and updating donor databases with accurate information
- Drafting donor correspondence, impact reports, invitations, and email campaigns in both English and French
- Collaborating with UNHCR’s national fundraising team to ensure alignment with branding and strategic goals
Required Qualifications and Competencies
To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Educational Requirements
- Be currently enrolled in a university or college degree program (with at least two years completed), or
- Have completed a degree within the last 24 months
Degrees in Communications, Marketing, International Development, or related fields are considered strong assets.
Skills and Competencies
- Strong attention to detail
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Ability to work efficiently under deadlines
- Capacity to work independently and collaboratively
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Experience with database management is an asset
Language Requirements
- Fluency in written and spoken French and English is mandatory
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Internship Allowance and Working Conditions
Interns who do not receive financial support from another institution will receive a monthly allowance to help cover food and local transportation costs.
- Maximum monthly allowance: CAD $1,576.75
- Working hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Duty station: Montreal, Canada
This allowance is intended to help reduce financial barriers and ensure equitable access to the internship.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
UNHCR is deeply committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified individuals regardless of race, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Candidates with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process. Any information shared is treated confidentially and used solely to support accessibility needs.
Important Application Notes
- UNHCR does not charge any fees at any stage of recruitment
- Applications are accepted only through the official UNHCR online platform
- CVs or applications sent via email will not be reviewed
- Applicants experiencing technical issues may contact recruitmentcase@unhcr.org
Why Apply for the UNHCR Fundraising Internship?
This internship offers:
- Practical fundraising and communications experience
- Exposure to humanitarian operations
- Professional mentorship from experienced UN staff
- Opportunities to work in a bilingual, multicultural environment
- A chance to make a real impact on refugee protection and assistance
