Disability Rights Division Intern

Application Deadline: September 11, 2023

The Disability Rights Division of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking a law student, graduate level LL.M. student, or graduate student in a relevant field with a demonstrated strong interest in disability rights and international human rights to intern part-time in our London or Brussels office. Ideally the candidate will be available for four to six months beginning in October 2023, dates and times are flexible. The candidate will intern closely with HRW staff and will build skills in conducting desk research, advocacy, and media monitoring in relation to human rights. The intern will gain experience within a small office of a large, well-organized, international non-profit organization and gain knowledge of key disability rights issues and priority human rights issues in the organization.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct background desk research and draft memos on a range of disability rights issues, including violence against people with disabilities, shackling or chaining of people with psychosocial disabilities (mental health conditions), prisoners with disabilities, and involuntary detention;
• Draft advocacy documents such as press releases, letters, and submissions to the United Nations;
• Participate in advocacy meetings and meetings with disability experts, as the opportunity arises; and
• Other projects may be assigned as they arise and match the intern’s interests and abilities.

Students may also have opportunities to attend lectures, trainings, events relating to human rights, as well as network with other HRW interns, volunteers, and employees. As an HRW intern, students will take skills acquired in school and apply them in a professional setting.

Qualifications:

• For interns in the United Kingdom, applicants must be enrolled in a graduate-level academic program for the duration of the internship.
• For interns in Belgium, applicants enrolled in a graduate-level academic program for the duration of the internship are highly preferred. The internship must be a required part of the intern’s academic program. Applicants in Belgium may also be recent graduates of an academic program who are undergoing an internship for further training.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required;
• Fluency in another language is desirable;
• Well-organized, self-motivated, and reliable candidates are desirable;
• Previous desk research experience with an understanding of, and a strong interest in international human rights is preferred;
• Interest and/or experience in the disability rights field is desirable;
• Relevant coursework in disability rights, human rights, law, and/or policy is a plus; and
• Internet research and computer skills (i.e., Microsoft Office, internet applications) are required.

Applicants who are offered an internship must possess valid work authorization for the location in which they will be based for the duration of the internship.

Compensation:

Compensation will be based on local law and HRW policy. Interns in the United Kingdom will be paid an hourly wage of GBP 11.95 per hour. Human Rights Watch offers interns in the United Kingdom (20) days of vacation prorated per year pursuant to the work schedule and length of employment. This Internship in Belgium is unpaid. However, Interns who are currently enrolled students, completing this internship as a required part of their university program, will be reimbursed for their lunch and local travel costs as pre-approved by HRW and in accordance with HRW policy. Interns in Belgium who are recent graduates will receive a gross stipend of EUR 920 per month.

Students are often able to arrange academic credit, as HRW internships may offer direct exposure to the workings of an international human rights organization, close supervision by the HRW staff, and interaction with other international organizations and foreign and domestic government officials. Students should check with their individual academic institutions for requirements.

How to Apply: Please apply immediately by visiting our online job portal at: https://careers.hrw.org and attaching a CV/resume, letter of interest, and a writing sample. No calls or email inquiries, please. Only complete applications will be reviewed. Due to the large number of applications only shortlisted candidates will be contacted further.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application submission, or if you require accommodations during the application process, please email [email protected]. Due to the large response, application submissions via email will not be accepted and inquiries regarding the status of applications will go unanswered.

Human Rights Watch is strong because it is diverse. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Human Rights Watch does not discriminate on the basis of disability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal record. We welcome all kinds of diversity. Our employees include people who are parents and nonparents, the self-taught and university educated, and from a wide span of socio-economic backgrounds and perspectives on the world. Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer.

Human Rights Watch is an international human rights monitoring and advocacy organization known for its in-depth investigations, its incisive and timely reporting, its innovative and high-profile advocacy campaigns, and its success in changing the human rights-related policies and practices of influential governments and international institutions.