Human Rights Intern

Work Location

This internship is designed to be hybrid (remote and in person) and full time. The modality can be adjusted on request of the successful candidate.

Expected duration

6 months, Start date – 2 September 2024

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. The intern under the general guidance of a primary supervisor will be assigned to the Women Human Rights and Gender Section (WHRGS) in the Rule of Law, Equality and Non-Discrimination Branch (ROLENDB), in Geneva, Switzerland. The Women’s Human Rights and Gender Section (WHRGS) was established in 2007 to work on women’s human rights and gender integration and to systematically inform all areas of OHCHR’s activities. The Section works to protect and promote women’s human rights by highlighting discriminatory laws and policies which allow gender-based discrimination and bring them in line with the international human rights law. In addition, the Section works to promote gender integration across OHCHR and broader UN planning and programmes. The Section also develops and supports High Commissioner leadership on women’s human rights and gender equality, produces thematic reports, statements and tools pertaining to women’s human rights and gender equality, internal guidance and conducts training, capacity-building and briefings in these areas, facilitates dialogue among stakeholders, and develops a network of experts and civil society organizations, including women human rights defenders, in order to leverage expertise and advance the women’s human rights agenda. The core work of the Section prioritizes some areas of focus: gender integration; women, peace and security; gender-based violence; sexual and reproductive health and rights; access to care and support; gender stereotypes; women human rights defenders; and protection of people from violence and discrimination on grounds of their sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics. Information on the work done in each of these areas can be found in the following page. https://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Women/WRGS/Pages/WRGSIndex.aspx At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. 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.

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, be 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 law, political science, international relations, social sciences 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 FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAMME.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship fluency in English or French is required, knowledge of the other is an asset. Knowledge of another United Nations official language would be an advantage (i.e. 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.