Intern

Job Posting Organization:
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is a vital part of the UN Secretariat, established to strengthen international human rights mechanisms. The organization is dedicated to enhancing equality, countering discrimination, combating impunity, and strengthening accountability and the rule of law. OHCHR integrates human rights into development and economic spheres, widens democratic spaces, and provides early warning and protection of human rights in conflict situations. The Methodology, Learning, Policy and Practice Section (MLPP) within OHCHR offers specialized support across core areas of the organization's mandate, responding to emerging needs for methodological guidance, policy development, and strengthening practices informed by continuous learning. The MLPP promotes innovative and adaptive approaches to support operational work, address emerging challenges, and advance the effective implementation of human rights. The organization operates globally, with a focus on various countries and regions where human rights issues are prevalent, and employs a diverse workforce dedicated to these critical missions.

Job Overview:
The internship-position" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">internship position is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and is offered for an initial period of three months, with the possibility of extension up to six months, depending on performance and organizational needs. The intern will be situated within the Global Operations Division, specifically with the MLPP team, which provides policy advice and technical support on United Nations human rights frameworks. The intern will assist in integrating human rights into UN policies and procedures, particularly in relation to security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security forces and mandatory training programs for UN personnel. The role involves supporting the organization and delivery of training sessions, conducting background research, preparing training materials, and managing communication products. The intern will also create a library of multimedia resources, assist in automating screening processes, and contribute to the production of knowledge-sharing materials and internal guidance documents. This position is ideal for individuals looking to gain practical experience in human rights policy and training within a global organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will have a variety of responsibilities, including:

• Supporting the organization and delivery of training on security forces, which involves logistical arrangements, background research, preparation of training materials, and communication products.
• Managing the training platform and intranet site, coordinating with participants, and supporting post-training documentation and reporting.
• Creating a library of videos and photographs that represent law enforcement practices for use in training exercises.
• Assisting in the automation of screening processes to improve efficiency.
• Producing knowledge-sharing materials, briefings, and internal guidance documents.
• Updating and maintaining intranet or internal knowledge management platforms.
• Digitizing, organizing, and managing documents and datasets.
• Supporting the organization and implementation of outreach or learning activities.
• Assisting with other tasks as required, such as document processing, data management, or event organization.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify for the United Nations Secretariat Internship Programme, applicants must be enrolled in a graduate school program (Master's degree or equivalent) or in the final academic year of a first-level university degree program (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as information management, knowledge management, digital studies, human rights, international law, international relations, political science, public policy, governance, or security sector-related studies. While prior professional work experience is not required, relevant academic, research, or practical experience is considered an asset. Specific advantageous qualifications include academic coursework or research related to digitization trends and technologies, experience with data organization and document management, and familiarity with human rights issues or UN-related work.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a strong educational background, either currently enrolled in a graduate program or in the final year of a bachelor's degree program. Relevant fields of study include information management, knowledge management, digital studies, human rights, international law, international relations, political science, public policy, governance, or security sector-related studies. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of human rights policies and the operational needs of the UN.

Experience:
While the internship does not require prior professional work experience, any relevant academic, research, or practical experience will be beneficial. This could include internships, academic projects, or research assistance that involves data organization, document management, or qualitative research. Candidates with experience in conducting desk-based research or familiarity with human rights issues will have an advantage in this role.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this internship, as English is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of another United Nations official language, such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish, is considered an asset and may enhance a candidate's application.

Additional Notes:
The internship is unpaid, and interns are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of Switzerland may need to obtain the appropriate visa and work authorization. It is important for successful candidates to discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer. Additionally, the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring a fair and transparent selection process.