DONOR AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS OFFICER (REPORTING/COMMUNICATIONS)

Support OHCHR in fulfilling its human rights mission as an intern.

This opening expired 10 months ago. Do not try to apply for this job.

OHCHR - Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

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Application deadline 10 months ago: Wednesday 9 Jul 2025 at 03:59 UTC

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Overview

Support OHCHR in fulfilling its human rights mission as an intern.

You have:

  • Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first-level university degree programme.
  • Be enrolled in a graduate school programme or have completed an academic degree.
  • No working experience is required, but prior work/internship experience at the UN, NGO or private sector is an asset.
  • Fluency in English is required.
  • Knowledge of French is an asset.
  • Knowledge of another UN official language would be an advantage.

Contract

This is a I-1 contract. It usually requires 0 years of experience, depending on education. More about I-1 contracts.

Work Location

BRUSSELS

Expected duration

From 3 to 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

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 intern will be part of the team of the Donor and External Relations (sub)Section at OHCHR’s Regional Office for Europe in Brussels, consisting of 3 professional staff. In function of his/her background and expectations, s/he will be assigned to work on a part or parts of the section’s areas of concern, as follows: • Donor intelligence/strategy: the section gathers information about EU external action priorities and policy and related funding opportunities in a range of areas related to Human Rights, in order to match them with OHCHR programme priorities and thus identify possible areas of partnership; • Resource mobilization: Dexrel in Brussels supports OHCHR staff all over the world in their re-source mobilization-related activities with the EU, through the preparation of high quality proposals anchored in OHCHR programme priorities, in coordination with thematic units at HQ in Geneva and/or in field locations, as well as entertaining relationships with key counterparts in the European institutions (European Commission, Council of the EU, European Parliament), and ensuring a proper flow of relevant information on matters of concern (e. g. Human Rights situation in specific countries where partnerships are in place; EU Human Rights dialogues with partner countries, etc.);• Project portfolio management: the Dexrel (sub)section in Brussels works in coordination with the Dexrel section in Geneva of which it is part. As such it supports OHCHR staff implementing EU-funded projects. Presently these amount to a total value over 90 million EUR, and concerns diverse range of countries across all world regions, as well as different thematic priorities(e.g. Human Rights Defenders, Peace and Security, reporting to HR Treaty Bodies, etc.);In these work streams s/he will be required to perform the following tasks: • Researching and preparing reports, briefing notes and other written documents on donor intelligence matters (e. g. possibilities for fundraising related to Human Rights and Climate Change/HR and the Environment), with special attention to the activities of the External Action Service and of the European Parliament relevant to Human Rights; • Supporting project implementation, with a special emphasis on supporting the colleagues for timely monitoring and reporting on selected projects, in due coordination with HQ or field units involved;• Contributing to the preparation of high quality project proposals and related information in the context of the negotiation of EU contributions to OHCHR;• Attending, on behalf of OHCHR, relevant meetings and consultations with partners in the region, with special attention to relevant public presentations; • Perform other duties as requested by the Office Team.

Qualifications/special skills

To qualify for the United Nations Secretariat internship programme applicants must, at the time of their submission, be enrolled in the final academic year of a first-level university degree programme (i.e. Bachelor's degree or equivalent degree); be enrolled in a graduate school programme (i.e. Master's degree or equivalent degree, or higher) or have completed an aforementioned academic degree, preferably in the area of international relations, business, marketing, journalism, communication, social sciences or a related field, AND, if selected, must commence the internship on the date indicated on the acceptance letter. No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. However, any prior work/internship experience at the UN, NGO or private sector would be an asset. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is an asset. Knowledge of another United Nations official language would be an advantage (i.e. Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).

Additional Information

Not available.

Intern Specific text

Interns 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 Fee

THE 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.

Potential interview questions

What motivates you to apply for an internship at the UN in the field of human rights? This question assesses your passion for human rights and the UN's mission. Discuss your interest in human rights and how it aligns with your educational background.
Describe a time when you conducted research on a complex topic. What was your approach? This evaluates your research skills and problem-solving capabilities. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you prioritize tasks when working on multiple projects? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you provide an example of how you've effectively communicated complex information? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What approach would you take to engage with stakeholders in a project? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you handle feedback on your written work? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Why do you think resource mobilization is important for organizations like the UN? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Discuss a time when you had to adapt to a new cultural environment or situation. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 11 months ago - Updated 11 months ago - Source: careers.un.org