Human Rights Intern

Work LocationNew York Expected duration3 Months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is the Secretariat Department responsible for strengthening international human rights mechanisms; enhancing equality and countering discrimination; combating impunity and strengthening accountability and the rule of law; integrating human rights in development and in the economic sphere; widening democratic space; and early warning and protection of human rights in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity. This announcement broadcasts international internship assignments located with the OHCHR New York Office. OHCHR-New York represents the High Commissioner for Human Rights at the United Nations headquarters (UNHQ) and ensures the effective integration of the norms, standards, methodologies, policies and mechanisms of the United Nations human rights system in the work of the New York-based intergovernmental organs, interdepartmental bodies, policy development processes, operational oversight activities and public information initiatives. The OHCHR New York Office comprises the Equality, Discrimination and Rule of Law Section (EDRS); the Intergovernmental Affairs, Communications and Outreach Section (ICOS); the Prevention and Sustaining Peace Section (PSPS), the Peace Mission Support Section (PMSS); and the Front Office. Based in New York, United States of America, under the overall leadership of the High Commissioner, the intern reports to the Chief of ICOS and/or Human Rights Officer in the area of assignment. 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. The internship will focus on supporting OHCHR’s work to integrate human rights in the work of intergovernmental bodies in New York. Daily responsibilities of interns may include but are not limited to the following: - Researching, identifying and analysing international human rights trends, developments, and initiatives in intergovernmental bodies at the United Nations, with a focus on the GA and SC assessing their impact and preparing documents and written summaries as agreed in each case - Providing support to the organisation of relevant meetings as required - Supporting the gathering of best practices, statistics and other data related to intergovernmental meetings and fora related to human rights - Supporting human rights officers on specific priority countries, regions and/or thematic areas and as such, take notes at relevant meetings - Assisting in drafting and editing various documents, reports, position papers, statements, talking points, presentations and outreach materials - Attending relevant in-person or virtual meetings as required. Qualifications/special skillsApplicants must meet one of the following requirements: (a) be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher). (b) be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent). Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work. experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required. Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PH.D. Programme. Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage. Applicants should have good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams. Strong written communication, research and analytical skills are desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Additional InformationNot available. Intern Specific textInterns 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. No FeeTHE 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.