UN Advocacy Intern

Application Deadline: 17 November 2023

The UN Advocacy Division of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking interns for its Geneva office. Ideally, Interns will be available mid February 2024 through early May 2024.

Responsibilities:

The internship will focus on the activities of the UN advocacy team before, during, and after the 55^th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), as well as relevant developments at the UN General Assembly, UN Security Council, various Treaty Body reviews and other meetings. The interns will be active members of HRW’s UN Advocacy Division and will work closely with other staff members. The internship will involve:

• Attending UN Human Rights Council sessions, negotiations of draft resolutions, and other UN meetings and taking notes to enhance understanding of the material and brief the UN Advocacy team on developments;
• Researching human rights issues relevant to the UN human rights mechanisms in Geneva;
• Drafting correspondence and advocacy materials related to the UN Human Rights Council and HRW advocacy goals;
• Supporting the organization of advocacy meetings and side-events at the UN Human Rights Council;
• Tracking key UN policy debates and official statements within UN New York forums as needed; and
• Contributing to some administrative tasks related to HRW’s advocacy activities.

Students will also have opportunities to attend lectures, trainings, professional development workshops, special 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: Applicants enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate-level academic program for the duration of the internship are highly preferred. In some circumstances, applicants can be recent graduates of their first degree (such as a Bachelor’s) who will be pursuing an advanced degree (such as Master’s or law degree). Strong proven oral and written command of English is essential and knowledge of French is desirable. Computer skills (Microsoft Office, Outlook, and internet) are required. Applicants should be well-organized, self-motivated, and reliable with a demonstrated commitment to human rights and/or international issues. The ideal candidate should be a disciplined self-starter and a strong team player. Knowledge of the UN system is highly preferred.

Applicants who are offered an internship must possess valid work authorization in Switzerland for the duration of the internship.

Compensation: Interns will receive a gross monthly stipend of CHF 1,550 per month, which will be pro-rated based on the number of hours worked, to help offset living expenses in accordance with HRW policy and the intern. 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/cover letter, and brief 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, 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 do not discriminate in hiring practices and actively seek a diverse applicant pool. We encourage candidates of all abilities, ages, gender identities and expressions, national origins, races and ethnicities, religious beliefs, sexual orientations, and those with criminal records to apply. 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.