Intern - Information and Evidence Management

Job Description

Work Location: GENEVA

Expected duration: 3 - 6 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is the Secretariat Department 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 in the economic sphere;
• Widening the democratic space; and
• Early warning and protection of human rights in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity.

This announcement broadcasts international internship assignments based in the Information System and Digital Support Section (ISDSS) located in the Human Rights Inquiries Branch (HRIB), which oversees the operationalization and provides support to all mandated human rights investigations relating to information management, digital forensics, online open-source investigation, information security and archiving.

The Human Rights Inquiries Branch comprises:

• The Investigation Support Section;
• The Accountability and Judicial Cooperation Section;
• The Information System and Digital Support Section;
• The Administrative Support Unit.

Based in Geneva, Switzerland, under the general guidance of the Head of the Branch, the intern will work in coordination with Information System and Digital Support Section to support projects relating to digital evidence handling and online open source investigation and reports to the respective Coordinator/Information Management Officer in the area of assignment.

The assignment shall be offered for an initial period of three (3) months, with the possibility of extension up to a total combined period of six (6) months, upon further approval by the supervisor, and an initial commencement date ranging/starting from March 2026 to September 2026.

This internship is an UNPAID and full-time engagement that provides a framework through which students from diverse academic backgrounds gain exposure to the work of the United Nations by way of their service within Secretariat entities.

Applicants should have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations with a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter and have the demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs - which includes willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Applicants should indicate their present matriculation status and period of availability in the application cover letter.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The intern shall support OHCHR in fulfilling its mission:

• To work for the protection of all human rights for all people.
• To help empower people to realize their rights.
• To assist those responsible for upholding such rights in ensuring that they are implemented.

Daily responsibilities of the Information and Evidence Management intern will depend on the individual’s background and duties may include but are not limited to assisting with coordination activities related to digital data/evidence collection, processing, analysis, review, preservation and open source investigation support for the human rights investigations and/activities within the assigned area, and in particular, the intern may:

• Help conduct substantive research and analysis of technology trends and applications relating to digital data handling, archiving and open source investigation.
• Assist development of online training materials and production of training modules.
• Assist senior staffs in provision of expert support to commissions of inquiry, fact-finding missions and field presences particularly relating to customized solution development.
• Facilitate implementation and deployment of modern investigative technical tools and infrastructure.
• Help ensure that digital forensic principles are properly applied to the digital data and evidence handling.
• Perform other related duties requested by the supervisor, as appropriate.

Qualifications/special skills

To qualify for the United Nations Secretariat internship programme, applicants must, at the time of submission, be:

• A graduate or enrolled in a graduate school programme (i.e. Master’s degree or equivalent degree, or higher) or,
• A graduate or enrolled in the final academic year of a first-level university degree programme (i.e. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree) preferably in the area of information and telecommunication technology, computer science, digital forensic science, data science, analytics, statistics, information management or a related field, OR
• Have graduated with a university degree as defined above AND, if selected, must commence the internship on the date specified in the Acceptance letter.

Applicants are not required to have professional work experience to participate in the programme.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of United Nations Secretariat. For this internship, fluency in English is required.

Knowledge of another United Nations official language would be an advantage (i.e. French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).

Additional Information

Not available.

Intern Specific text

Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions.

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 their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS BANK ACCOUNTS.

Deadline : Jan 4, 2026