Internship - Middle East and North Africa Branch (MENA)/Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division (FOTCD)

Contract

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

Work Location

Hybrid: This internship is designed to be full-time and in person but may be adjusted based on the needs of the successful candidate.

Expected duration

3 to 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The Office of the United Nations (UN) 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 the democratic space; and early warning and protection of human rights in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity. This announcement broadcasts international internship assignments with the Middle East and North Africa Branch (MENA) of the Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division (FOTCD), which is responsible for coordinating the assessment and implementation of the Office's engagement; maintaining effective partnerships with Governments, regional organizations, national stakeholders (e.g. national human rights institutions, non-government organizations, et cetera, as well as United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs)); briefing and advising the High Commissioner, the Secretary-General, United Treaty Bodies and Special Procedures Mandate Holders on country situations; and providing follow-up to recommendations by the international human rights system, including the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), the Middle East & North Africa Section, in collaboration with other OHCHR entities, is responsible for OHCHR's work at the country-level in the respective region of responsibility. Based in Geneva Switzerland, under the overall guidance of the Head of the Secretariat, the intern reports to the Human Rights Officer in the assigned work unit. The internship assignment shall be for an initial period of three (3) months, renewable for a combined period of six (6) months, upon further approval by the supervisor, and a scheduled commencement date during the second quarter of the next year, ranging/starting from April 2024 to September 2024. This internship is designed to be full-time and in person but may be adjusted based on the needs of the successful candidate (Hybrid). This internship is an UNPAID and full-time engagement that provides a framework through which students from diverse academic backgrounds gain exposure to the work of the United Nations by way of their service within Secretariat entities. Applicants should have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations with a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter and have the demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs - which includes willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views. THE UNITED NATIONS IS COMMITTED TO BUILDING A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE WORKFORCE AND WELCOMES APPLICANTS FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS AND COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO MIGRANTS AND/OR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. APPLICANTS SHOULD INDICATE THEIR PRESENT MATRICULATION STATUS AND PERIOD OF AVAILABILITY IN THE APPLICATION COVER LETTER. 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 Human Rights MENA interns will depend on the individual's background and duties may include but are not limited to assisting the Section in the systematic collection and analysis of information regarding the human rights situation of countries in the Middle East and North Africa region and in the preparation of reports, documents and other written materials thereon; Assist Desk Officers in researching and drafting of individual cases of alleged human rights violations; Support Desk Officers in responding to requests for information relating to the human rights situation in the region and/ or countries concerned; Assist Desk Officers in preparing and updating Country profiles, briefing packages, daily and monthly updates/reports; Support Desk Officers in the preparation of relevant documents on thematic and country specific human rights issues; Assist Desk Officers in taking minutes of meetings, attending side-events, Human Rights Council sessions, Treaty Bodies review and Universal Periodic Review (UPR) review; and Perform other related duties as requested by supervisor, as appropriate.

Qualifications/special skills

Education 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 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 law, political science, international relations, social sciences or a related field, AND, if selected, must commence the internship on the date indicated in the Acceptance letter. APPLICANTS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAMME.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship, fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

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.