Europe and Central Asia Section

3 months – as of 1 September 2025

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; and to assist those responsible for upholding such rights in ensuring that they are implemented. Daily responsibilities of the Europe and Central-Asia Section human rights intern will depend on the individual”s background and duties may include but are not limited to compiling basic information, analyzing key issues, collecting information and documents received from United Nations headquarters- and field-level offices and, in particular, the intern may: review relevant information and documents related to OHCHR work in order to acquire basic understanding of the mandates, strategic policies, framework of programmes/ activities of the organization; assist the Desk Officers (DOs) in maintaining contacts with concerned United Nations Country Teams and relevant human rights offices, non-government organizations (NGOs) and national human rights institutions (NHRIs) as well as OHCHR field offices in the region; assist Europe and Central-Asia Section Desk Officers in the coordination of the programme of missions of special rapporteurs, representatives, experts, working groups and/or others in the geographical area concerned and liaise in this regard with the thematic mechanisms teams, other OHCHR entities, including the office of the High Commissioner; assist with activities pertaining to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and follow-up, as necessary; lend support with OHCHR activities related to information collection and compilation of basic background for the preparation of technical papers and speeches; support with selected field of work and program/project activities related to their priority areas of studies and internship; assist in organizing meetings, seminars and official missions; and perform other duties requested by supervisor, as appropriate.

Applicants must either: (a) Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or, (b) Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent). Academic backgrounds in international relations, international human rights law, political science, or related fields is desirable.

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 (Russian).

Not available.

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.

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.