United Nations Internships

UN Human Rights Internship in Switzerland | All Details

The UN human rights internship is a great opportunity for individuals aiming to support international efforts to promote and defend human rights. As a human rights intern, you can obtain useful experience while working in a varied and welcoming workplace.

In this article, you will get information about a UN Human Rights Internship provided by OHCHR. So, if you like to be a human rights intern, maintaining the highest levels of efficiency, skill, and honesty while assisting with data gathering, research, and report production, this Internship in Geneva can be great for you.

About the Organization Providing This Internship in Geneva

Secretariat Department in charge of strengthening international human rights mechanisms; Combating impunity and strengthening accountability and the rule of law; Enhancing equality and countering discrimination; Widening the democratic space; Integrating human rights in development and in the economic sphere; as well as Early warning and protection of human rights in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity.

The Africa Branch (AB) of the Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division (FOTCD) is announcing worldwide internship opportunities. The Division is in charge of overseeing the evaluation and execution of the Office’s engagement, maintaining successful collaborations with regional organizations, governments, and national stakeholders.

The Africa Branch, in partnership with other OHCHR units, is in charge of OHCHR’s operations on the ground in the particular region of responsibility. The Branch assists six Special-Procedures mandate holders appointed by the Human Rights Council (CAR, Eritrea, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Somalia, as well as Sudan) and comprises the Africa Section I (Eastern & Southern Africa) and the Africa Section II (Western & Central Africa).

About UN Human Rights Internship

This UN human rights internship is a full-time, UNPAID internship. Its purpose is to give students from various academic backgrounds an opportunity to learn about the operations of the UN by having them work for Secretariat organizations.

Candidates must demonstrate the ability to successfully interact with people of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, including the willingness to understand and be tolerant of opposing opinions and views. They should also have a shown keen interest in the work of the UN and a personal commitment to the principles of the Charter.

The human rights intern reports to a Human Rights Officer within the designated geographical Section from Geneva, Switzerland, and works under the general supervision of the relevant Chief of Section.

The supervisor must once again approve contracts for this internship in Geneva before they may be extended for a total of six (6) months after a three (3) month initial commitment. Human rights internships at the Africa Branch may be scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of the current year and continue into the following year, starting/ranging from April 2022 to October 2022.

The UN is striving to create an inclusive and diverse workforce and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and communities, including but not limited to immigrants and/or those with disabilities. In the application cover letter, candidates for the human rights intern position should state their current marital status and available time frame.

Description of OHCHR Internship
Description of UN Human Rights Internhip

Eligibility Requirements for UN Human Rights Internship

To be considered for the human rights intern role, you need to meet the following criteria:

Work Experience

For the UN Internship Program, no prior work experience is necessary. During your internship in Geneva, the United Nations should profit from your education,  training, skills or advance course work.

Education

Applicants for the UN Human Rights Internship must be enrolled in the last year of their first university degree programme (either bachelor’s or equivalent), master’s or doctoral programme, or have already earned a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree.

Language

The official working languages of the UN Secretariat are English and French. Fluency in one of the two languages is necessary for the position(s) listed, and knowledge in the other is [‘desirable’ or ‘an advantage’]. Having knowledge of another UN official tongue is an advantage.

Human Rights Intern Responsibilities

Applicants for UN human rights internship should expect to take on the following responsibilities:

  • The intern will assist OHCHR in achieving its goals, which include working to defend all human rights for all people, assisting in the empowerment of individuals to realize their rights, and assisting those in charge of ensuring the implementation of those rights.
  • Assembling data on human rights, analyzing significant issues, gathering data and documents on particular human rights topics, and more may all be part of the intern’s daily duties as a human rights intern with the Africa Branch.
    In particular, the human rights intern may:
    • Help the respective Chief of Section, Human Rights Officers (HROs/ Desk Officers (DOs) in the systematic collection and analysis of data regarding the human rights condition in one or more countries of a given region and in the preparation of documents, and reports as well as other written materials thereon like Treaty Bodies, Special Procedures and Universal Periodic Review (UPR) documents
    • Assist HROs/DOs in doing research and preparing documentation on normative and institutional developments of human rights in the region of Africa as well as on events or cases of suspected human rights breaches
    • Help with information requests pertaining to the state of human rights in the region or nation in question
    • Update nation profiles, assist in creating briefing materials, daily and monthly updates, and reports
    • Assist in the preparation of relevant documents on thematic and country-specific human rights issues in the respective regional pillar
    • Take minutes of meetings, attend side-events and/or sessions of the Human Rights Council (HRC), Treaty Bodies and Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group (WG)
    • Perform other relevant tasks that the supervisor assigns, as appropriate.

How to Apply for UN Human Rights Internship

If you want to apply for a human rights internship position, you need to follow the following steps:

  1. Get your application materials ready: Prepare the necessary application materials, which typically include a cover letter, résumé or CV, and any other materials the description of this internship in Geneva specifies as supporting documentation. Make sure to emphasize in your docs your enthusiasm for human rights and any relevant experiences and talents.
  2. Click the “Apply for This Internship in Geneva” link.
  3. Use Inspira to submit an application: Log in to your inspira account (or create an account), then complete the online application form. Provide accurate information about your personal details, education, work experience, as well as language skills. Upload your prepared documents in the appropriate sections.

United Nations Considerations

If you desire to take this UN human rights internship, you need to know the following points:

You can find the requirement to ensure the highest standards of effectiveness, competence, and integrity in article 101, paragraph 3, of the United Nations Charter. This is the most important factor to take into account when recruiting staff.

The UN may not consider candidates with offenses other than minor traffic violations for the UN human rights internship.

OHCHR will due consideration to the significance of hiring people from as broad a geographical base as feasible. The United Nations does not impose any limitations on the ability of men and women to participate in any capacity and on an equal basis in both its main and auxiliary organs. You can’t smoke anywhere in the UN Secretariat.

The requirement to maintain the highest standards of effectiveness, competence, and integrity shall be the primary factor in the employment, transfer, or promotion of personnel.

Employees of the U.N. who accept an offer of employment are subject to the Secretary-General’s authority and assignment to any offices or activities of the United Nations in line with staff regulation 1.2(c). In this regard, the Secretary-General must set the terms and conditions under which all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to transfer regularly in order to perform new duties within or between duty stations.

Candidates need to strictly follow all directions provided in the online recruiting platform inspira. Applicants who need more in-depth instructions can reach the Manual for the Applicant by clicking on the “Manuals” hyperlink on the top right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

Notes

  • The UN will do the assessment of candidates on the basis of the data provided in the application in accordance with the evaluation standards of the job opening and the applicable internal laws of the UN, including the UN Charter, General Assembly resolutions, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances, and guidelines.
  • In order to get the vacant human rights intern position, applicants must provide correct and comprehensive information about their personal profiles and qualifications in accordance with the guidelines in inspira.
  • You may not be able to amend, add to, delete, revise, or modify applications that you have submitted in any way.
  • Reference checks will be required of the applicants for the UN human rights internship who are given significant consideration for selection so that the data on their applications may be verified.
  • The UN will not consider candidates for human rights intern positions if they have violated international human rights law, or international humanitarian law, or have engaged in sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or sexual harassment, or if there are good reasons to believe that they have participated in any of these acts.

Sexual abuse, Sexual exploitation and sexual harassment

  • The term “Sexual abuse” refers to any real or threatened bodily encroachment of a sexual nature, whether done so with force or under coercive, unfair, or oppressive circumstances.
  • “Sexual exploitation” refers to any real or attempted misuse of a position of vulnerability, differential authority, or trust for sexual objectives, including but not limited to making money, advancing one’s political or social agenda, or other forms of gain from the sexual exploitation of another.
  • “Sexual harassment” refers to any unwanted sexual behavior that could reasonably be anticipated or be perceived as humiliation, when such behavior interferes with work, is made a condition of employment, or creates a threatening, hostile, or offensive work environment, and when the seriousness of the behavior justifies the end of the perpetrator’s working relationship.

Summary of UN Human Rights Internship

This internship in Geneva is a full time, not paid internship provides by the OHCHR in the field of human rights.

The main responsibilities of a human rights intern include aiding in data collection and analysis, preparing documents and reports, looking into current advancements in human rights, responding to information requests, updating nation profiles, attending meetings and events, and performing other tasks as assigned. The UN places a high value on hiring people who exhibit efficacy, competence, and integrity.

The UN may not consider candidates having a history of transgressing international human rights legislation, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, sexual harassment, or other grave violations for employment. The UN does not place gender-specific restrictions on participation. It also seeks to employ people from a variety of geographic backgrounds. In the UN Secretariat, you can’t smoke.

In general, the UN prioritizes the highest standards of efficacy, competence, and integrity in the hiring of its staff employees. Employees may be allocated to various offices or tasks within the UN and are under the Secretary-General’s authority.

UN Human Rights Internship Official Website

In order to get more information about this united nations internship program 2023 in Geneva, check the official website:

Visit the UN human rights internship Official website

Apply for This Internship in Geneva

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Are you seeking an opportunity to hone your skills and jumpstart your career? If so, you can visit our Internship Website. Here, you can find plenty of internship programs in various fields. No matter what country you like to take an internship in or what field you are trying to get hands-on experience in, you will find the perfect internship for you!

Erica Maruzzi

I have a university degree in International Economics from the University of Turin in Italy, graduated in 2015, then I obtained a Master's degree in International Relations. I did an internship with FAO in Rome for 11 months, after which I got promoted and became a consultant. I love to write about education and help students from other countries build on their work experience after graduation by applying for internship opportunities available around the world.

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