The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is responsible for strengthening international human rights mechanisms; enhancing equality and countering discrimination; combating impunity; strengthening accountability and the rule of law; integrating human rights in development and the economic sphere; widening the democratic space; and early warning and protection of human rights in situations of conflict, violence, and insecurity.
This internship is based in the Information System and Digital Support Section (ISDSS) of the Human Rights Inquiries Branch (HRIB), which supports all mandated human rights investigations related to information management, digital forensics, online open-source investigation, information security, and archiving.
Under the general guidance of the Head of the Branch, the intern will work in coordination with ISDSS to support projects relating to digital evidence handling and online open-source investigation, reporting to the respective Coordinator/Information Management Officer.
The internship is offered for an initial period of three (3) months, with the possibility of extension up to six (6) months, with start dates between February 2026 and August 2026.
This is an UNPAID full-time internship providing students exposure to UN work within Secretariat entities. Applicants should demonstrate interest in the UN’s mission, ability to interact across cultural backgrounds, and tolerance of differing views.
Responsibilities:
Support OHCHR in its mission to protect human rights, empower people to realize their rights, and assist those responsible for upholding rights.
Assist with coordination of digital data/evidence collection, processing, analysis, review, preservation, and open-source investigation support for human rights investigations.
Conduct substantive research and analysis of technology trends and applications related to digital data handling, archiving, and open-source investigation.
Assist in developing online training materials and production of training modules.
Support senior staff in providing expert assistance to commissions of inquiry, fact-finding missions, and field presences, particularly in customized solution development.
Facilitate implementation and deployment of modern investigative technical tools and infrastructure.
Ensure proper application of digital forensic principles to digital data and evidence handling.
Perform other related duties as requested by the supervisor.
Qualifications/Special Skills
Must be a graduate or enrolled in a graduate program (Master’s or equivalent, or higher) or in the final year of a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) preferably in law, political science, international relations, social sciences, or a related field.
No professional work experience is required.
Applicants must be able to commence the internship on the date specified in the acceptance letter.
Languages
Fluency in English is required.
Knowledge of another UN official language (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish) is an advantage.
Additional Information
Interns are not financially remunerated.
Travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern or their sponsoring institution.
Non-citizens may require appropriate visas or work/employment authorization and should confirm requirements before accepting the internship
Deadline : Dec 14, 2025
Start Your Application
Applications for this position must be completed on the recruiting organization's website.
