Intern - Human Rights

Job Description

Work Location

• Geneva, Switzerland

Expected Duration

• 3 to 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities
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 and strengthening accountability and the rule of law
• Integrating human rights in development and economic spheres
• Widening democratic space
• Providing early warning and protection in conflict or violence situations

This internship is with the Human Rights Council Branch (HRCB), which:

• Serves as Secretariat to the Human Rights Council (HRC), an inter-governmental body for global human rights promotion and protection
• Supports Special Procedures including special rapporteurs, representatives, experts, and working groups
• Manages mechanisms such as:
• • Universal Periodic Review (UPR)
  • Advisory Committee
  • Complaint Procedure

Additional responsibilities of the Branch include:

• Supporting three formal sessions annually and any special sessions
• Assisting the HRC President and Bureau throughout the year
• Supporting the Advisory Committee and Consultative Group for Special Procedures mandate-holder selection
• Managing informal meetings, consultations, and related activities between sessions
• Providing office-wide political and procedural advice related to subsidiary bodies of the Council

Internship Supervision and Assignment

• Based in Geneva under the Chief of the Human Rights Council Branch
• Reports to the Human Rights Officer/Intern Coordinator
• Internship duration: Initial 3 months, extendable up to 6 months
• Internship is unpaid and full-time

Intern Responsibilities May Include:

• Drafting daily notes of proceedings for information sharing
• Collecting and filing documents, statements, press releases, and points of order
• Assisting in finalizing draft reports through verification of relevant information
• Preparing statistical reports on Council operations (e.g., participation data, meeting frequency, interventions, gender and geographic balance, etc.)
• Contributing to trend analysis and suggesting operational improvements
• Drafting summaries of communications under the Complaint Procedure
• Drafting responses to correspondence
• Supporting meetings of Working Groups on Communications and Situations
• Following up on activities organized by OHCHR, DPI, and NGOs
• Drafting summaries or media highlights
• Assisting in outreach efforts, including:
• • Human Rights Council Extranet
  • Twitter and SMS Alerts
  • Responding to NGO queries
• Performing other related duties as assigned

Education
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

• Be enrolled in a graduate program (Master’s or higher)
• Be in the final year of a first university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent)
• Have completed a university degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or equivalent) and be able to start on the date indicated

Preferred fields of study:

• Law
• Political Science
• International Relations
• Social Sciences
• Related fields

No professional experience is required.

Work Experience

• None required
• Training, academic background, or skills should benefit the UN during the internship

Assessment
Short-listed applicants will be contacted for interviews. Cover letters should:

• Indicate interest in OHCHR and human rights issues
• Specify graduation date (or expected date)
• Highlight IT skills and relevant programs
• Note period of availability and earliest start date
• Include three references

Languages

• Fluency in English or French required
• Knowledge of the other is an asset
• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish) is an advantage

Internship Conditions

• Unpaid
• Interns are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses
• Non-citizens/permanent residents may require work authorization or visas
• Interns must work full-time (40 hours/week), with a one-hour lunch break

Additional Notes

• Applicants must not be children or siblings of UN staff
• The UN Secretariat is committed to diversity, inclusion, and geographic balance
• Candidates who have committed serious violations of international law or sexual misconduct are not eligible
• The UN is a non-smoking environment
• For more information, visit: UN Careers and OHCHR Human Rights Council

Deadline : Aug 19, 2025