Intern

Job Posting Organization:
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is a key department within the United Nations Secretariat, established to promote and protect human rights globally. The OHCHR works to strengthen international human rights mechanisms, enhance equality, combat discrimination, and ensure accountability and the rule of law. The organization plays a crucial role in integrating human rights into development and economic policies, widening democratic space, and providing early warning and protection in situations of conflict and violence. The OHCHR operates in various countries and collaborates with intergovernmental bodies to uphold human rights standards.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position at the OHCHR New York Office is designed for individuals who are passionate about human rights and wish to contribute to the organization's mission of protecting and promoting human rights for all. Interns will work under the guidance of the Chief of the Intergovernmental Affairs, Communications and Outreach Section (ICOS) and/or a Human Rights Officer. The primary focus of the internship will be to support the integration of human rights into the work of intergovernmental bodies at the United Nations, particularly the General Assembly (GA) and the security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security Council (SC). Interns will engage in research, analysis, and documentation related to international human rights trends and developments, and will assist in organizing meetings and gathering data relevant to human rights discussions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Interns will be responsible for a variety of tasks that support the OHCHR's objectives. These include researching and analyzing international human rights trends and developments, particularly in relation to intergovernmental bodies at the UN. Interns will prepare documents and written summaries, provide support for organizing meetings, and assist in gathering best practices and statistics related to human rights. They will also support human rights officers by taking notes during meetings, drafting and editing documents such as reports and position papers, and attending relevant meetings, whether in-person or virtual. The role requires a proactive approach to learning and contributing to the OHCHR's mission.

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must meet specific educational criteria to be eligible for the internship. They should either be enrolled in or have completed a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent) or be in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent). While professional work experience is not required, a field of study closely related to the internship is necessary. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in standard software applications, particularly MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams, and possess strong written communication, research, and analytical skills.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this internship includes being a student in the final year of a first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), or having completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. program. This ensures that interns have a solid academic foundation relevant to the work of the OHCHR and can effectively contribute to the organization's goals.

Experience:
While prior professional work experience is not a prerequisite for this internship, candidates are expected to have relevant academic experience or coursework that aligns with the responsibilities of the position. This could include studies in international relations, human rights law, political science, or related fields that provide a strong understanding of human rights issues.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this internship, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of an additional official UN language, such as French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is considered an advantage and may enhance the candidate's application.

Additional Notes:
This internship is not financially remunerated, meaning that interns will not receive a salary or stipend from the United Nations. Interns are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses. Additionally, those who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is located may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization. It is important for successful candidates to discuss their specific visa requirements prior to accepting the internship offer. The United Nations emphasizes that it does not charge any fees during the recruitment process, ensuring that applicants are not subjected to any financial burdens.