INTERN - HUMAN RIGHTS

Support OHCHR in fulfilling its mission for human rights.

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OHCHR - Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

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Application deadline 8 months ago: Friday 26 Sep 2025 at 03:59 UTC

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Overview

Support OHCHR in fulfilling its mission for human rights.

You have:

  • Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher), or be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent).
  • Academic backgrounds in international relations, international human rights law, political science, or related fields is desirable.
  • Fluency in English or French is required, knowledge of the other is an asset.
  • Knowledge of another United Nations official language would be an advantage (Russian).

Contract

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

Work Location

Europe and Central Asia Section

Expected duration

3 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. Daily responsibilities of the Europe and Central-Asia Section human rights intern will depend on the individual's background and duties may include but are not limited to compiling basic information, analyzing key issues, collecting information and documents received from United Nations headquarters- and field-level offices and, in particular, the intern may: review relevant information and documents related to OHCHR work in order to acquire basic understanding of the mandates, strategic policies, framework of programmes/ activities of the organization; assist the Desk Officers (DOs) in maintaining contacts with concerned United Nations Country Teams and relevant human rights offices, non-government organizations (NGOs) and national human rights institutions (NHRIs) as well as OHCHR field offices in the region; assist Europe and Central-Asia Section Desk Officers in the coordination of the programme of missions of special rapporteurs, representatives, experts, working groups and/or others in the geographical area concerned and liaise in this regard with the thematic mechanisms teams, other OHCHR entities, including the office of the High Commissioner; assist with activities pertaining to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and follow-up, as necessary; lend support with OHCHR activities related to information collection and compilation of basic background for the preparation of technical papers and speeches; support with selected field of work and program/project activities related to their priority areas of studies and internship; assist in organizing meetings, seminars and official missions; and perform other duties requested by supervisor, as appropriate.

Qualifications/special skills

Applicants must either: (a) Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or, (b) Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent). Academic backgrounds in international relations, international human rights law, political science, or related fields is desirable.

Languages

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

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

Can you describe a situation where you had to analyze complex information? This helps the interviewer understand your analytical skills and ability to draw insights from data. Discuss a specific situation where you successfully analyzed information and draw key conclusions.
How do you prioritize tasks when working on multiple projects simultaneously? This question assesses your time management and organizational skills. Pro members can see the explanation.
Have you ever worked with people from different backgrounds or cultures? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What inspires you to work in the field of human rights? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you provide an example of a successful team project you participated in? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What do you understand by the Universal Periodic Review process? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Explain a time when you had to present information to others. How did you prepare? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Why do you think communication is important in human rights work? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 8 months ago - Updated 8 months ago - Source: careers.un.org