Human Rights - Internship

Job Description

Work Location

• Pretoria

Expected Duration

• 6 months, starting January 2026

Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Regional Representative and Human Rights Officer of the OHCHR Regional Office for Southern Africa, the daily responsibilities of the OHCHR ROSA Human Rights Intern will depend on the individual’s background. Specific duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Conduct substantive research and analysis and prepare analytical briefs and updates on specific thematic and/or country aspects of the human rights situation in the sub-region.
• Collect and analyze human rights data and indicators in the sub-region, including gender-specific data and indicators.
• Support activities to promote engagement of State parties, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) with human rights mechanisms.
• Strengthen national mechanisms for reporting and follow-up on human rights issues.
• Support engagement with UN country teams in the sub-region on human rights.
• Assist with implementation of outcomes of international human rights mechanisms.
• Provide support for engagement on human rights with relevant national and regional stakeholders, including follow-up on decisions rendered by policy-making, human rights, and other relevant entities.
• Help promote human rights issues, including gender equality considerations, ensuring integration into political, humanitarian, and economic programs.
• Assist in the development and implementation of training programs in human rights, international humanitarian law, democracy, and the rule of law, with attention to gender perspectives, including follow-up on cases and situations verified by the Regional Office.
• Serve as note-taker at meetings, drafting reports, communications, briefings, statements, and documents for policymaking bodies.
• Perform other duties as requested by the supervisor, as appropriate.

Qualifications/Special Skills

• Applicants MUST be enrolled in a graduate school program (Master’s degree or equivalent, or higher) or in the final year of a first-level university degree program (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent).
• Fields of study preferably include law, political science, international relations, or social sciences.

Languages

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese is an asset.

Additional Information

• Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations.
• Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern or their sponsoring institution.
• Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.

Deadline : Nov 12, 2025