Work Location

Geneva

Expected duration

3 months, with possibility of extension up to 6 months.

Duties and Responsibilities

Based in Geneva, Switzerland, under the overall guidance of the Chief of the Human Rights Council Branch, the intern reports to the Human Rights Officer/Branch Intern Coordinator. 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 starting 17 February 2025. Applicants should indicate their present matriculation status and period of availability. 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 Human Rights Council Branch intern will depend on the individual’s background and duties may include but are not limited to drafting daily notes of proceedings for information sharing; assist in finalizing draft reports, which involves precise and thorough verification to ensure that all relevant information is fully reflected in the report; prepare the statistics report relating to the organization of work of the Council, which includes collecting and reviewing detailed data on the number of participants by category, the number of plenary and closed meetings, including minutiae on the use of conference time, breakdown of interventions, total volume of documentation issued for the Council, voting on resolutions, decisions and President’s statements and other relevant details such as gender and geographical balance; contribute to analysis into the trends affecting the Council’s work and make suggestions for improvement; prepare draft summaries of communications falling under the Council’s Complaint Procedure; prepare draft responses to correspondence as appropriate; assist in the preparation and servicing of the meetings of the Working Group on Communications and the Working Group on Situations; follow-up on parallel activities organized by the Office, by the Department of Public Information (DPI) and by non-governmental organizations (NGOs); draft summaries for information sharing or assist in drafting media highlights for the press; assist with outreach activities (i.e. Human Rights Council Extranet, Twitter, SMS Alerts), attending to queries by non-governmental organizations; and perform other related duties as requested by supervisor, as appropriate. Org. Setting and Reporting The 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 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 Human Rights Council Branch (HRCB). Located within the Human Rights Council and Treaty Mechanisms Division (HRCTMD), the Human Rights Council Branch serves as the Secretariat of the Human Rights Council (HRC). Established through the United Nations General Assembly resolution 60/251, the Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe with a platform to discuss thematic human rights issues and situations. In addition to the Special Procedures, that are made up of special rapporteurs, special representatives, independent experts and working groups that monitor, examine, advise and publicly report on thematic issues or human rights situations in specific countries, the Human Rights Council consists of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism, which assesses the human rights situations of all United Nations Member States; the Advisory Committee, which serves as the Council’s “think tank” providing it with expertise and advice on thematic human rights issues; and the Complaint Procedure, which allows individuals and organizations to bring human rights violations to the attention of the Human Rights Council. Servicing three formal sessions each year and its special sessions, the Human Rights Branch provides support to the activities of the President and the Bureau throughout the year. The Branch also provides support to the work of the Advisory Committee, the confidential Complaints Procedure, including servicing the Working Group on Communications and the Working Group on Situations and to the Consultative Group, which considers applications for Special Procedures mandates-holders positions. Comprised of the Human Rights Council Support and Coordination section and respective Expert Bodies, the Human Rights Council Branch supports informal meetings, consultations and other related activities of the Human Rights Council during the inter-sessional period and provides office-wide political and procedural advice in relation to other subsidiary bodies of the Council. For more information on the United Nations Human Rights Council visit: https://www.ohchr.org/en/hrbodies/hrc/home

Qualifications/special skills

To qualify for the United Nations Secretariat internship programme, applicants must, at the time of submission, be a graduate or enrolled in a graduate school programme (i. e. Master’s degree or equivalent degree, or higher) or, be a graduate or enrolled in the final academic year of a first-level university degree programme (i.e. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree) preferably in the area of law, political science, international relations, social sciences or a related field, OR have graduated with a university degree as defined above AND, if selected, must commence the internship on the date specified in the acceptance letter. APPLICANTS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAMME.

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

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. 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.

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.