Duties and Responsibilities
As the leading UN entity on human rights, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has an independent mandate to promote and protect human rights across the world and to mainstream human rights throughout the UN system. OHCHR’s mandate, its expertise, convening power and partnerships, its role as custodian of the human rights mechanisms (treaty bodies, special procedures and Universal Periodic Review), and its experience with enhancing civic space and supporting human rights defenders uniquely position the Office to support ambitious, rights-based environmental action. Precisely, the type of action that the IPCC, the HRC and other authorities have confirmed will result in more effective development policies that benefit both people and planet.
The internship will take place within the internal Sustainable Environmental Management (SEM) Group, and the intern will report to the Assistant Human Rights Officer. The SEM Group seeks to mainstream sustainability throughout OHCHR’s existing work and strengthen it as an important pillar in its own right. The SEM Group contributes to OHCHR’s work related to climate change, the environment, and sustainable development and catalyses efforts to “Build Back Better” across the Office. The intern will provide SEM Group with assistance in substantive areas of its work.
Tasks will include:
1. Support OHCHR’s internal SEM Group, its counterparts and inter-office coordination efforts to enhance OHCHR’s sustainability practices and advocacy related to human rights and sustainability.
2. Support the monitoring and implementation of OHCHR’s organizational effectiveness action plan (OEAP) on deepening SEM and an Environmental Management System (EMS).
3. Conduct research, review and analyse information related to human rights and sustainability, including environmental management systems and good practices.
4. Contribute to the development and implementation of OHCHR strategies, policies and practices on SEM, including with respect to procurement, facilities, waste management and travel.
5. Support OHCHR advocacy and communication related to SEM and human rights, including the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.
6. Support the GHG reporting for OHCHR within the United Nations System, including through Greening the Blue (HQ and field presences) and 2050 Today (Geneva Only), including, but not limited to, by collecting, analysing, and reporting related data.
7. Provide additional support to OHCHR’s SEM Group as needed.
Qualifications/special skills
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
(a) be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme in Law, International relations, Political Science, Development, Environmental Policy, Administration, Business Management, Sustainable Environmental Management or related subject (second university degree or equivalent, or higher).
(b) be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme in Law, International relations, Political Science, Development, Environmental Policy, Administration, Business Management, Sustainable Environmental Management or related subject (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent). Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required. Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), master’s or Ph.D. programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor’s, master’s or Ph.D. programme.
Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage. Knowledge in the field of human rights and/or the environment is desirable. Applicants should have good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams.
DEADLINE: 25 March 2025
