Human Rights Intern

Background   Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.   UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

The UNDP Crisis Bureau aims to ensure that the Organization’s development efforts incorporate necessary elements of crisis prevention and timely recovery support. This requires a focus on skills and capacities in national institutions and communities – in order that risks of disasters and violent conflict are minimized and a foundation for sustainable development secured. The overall goal of the UNDP Office in Geneva is to support the active and strategic engagement of Crisis Bureau, on behalf of UNDP, with Geneva-based UN and other external humanitarian, human rights and development partners whose work is vital for the successful implementation of UNDP’s crisis prevention and recovery mandate.

In UNDP’s Crisis Bureau, the Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights Team leads UNDP’s global practice in this field and provides policy advice and programmatic support to UNDP Regional Hubs and Country Offices in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of human rights, rule of law, justice and security policy and programmes. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The internship will be with the Rule of Law, Human Rights and Security Team. Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Policy Specialist in Geneva, and in collaboration with team members in the Geneva and New York and Regional Bureaux, the human rights intern is expected to support with the follow up of formal and informal debates within the framework of the Human Rights Council with the objective to produce targeted and general information in reference to human rights and ensure its timely communication to relevant Country Offices, Regional hubs and Bureaus and thematic units in Headquarters. Moreover, the intern will provide overall support to the Human Rights team and contribute to UNDP’s work and initiatives on human rights at the global and corporate level in line with the duties described below.

The thematic areas of interest include, but are not necessarily restricted to the following: 

• Human Rights Council 
• Human Rights mechanisms 
• Human Rights and digitization 
• Rights-based approach to programming   
• National human rights institutions
• Human Rights defenders
• The right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide overall support to the Human Rights Team, including participating in internal and external events and meetings, and following up on action points;
• Support the Team with UNDP’s engagement in the Human Rights Council, including producing a draft summary and analysis of the Human Rights Council Sessions and present the main findings in the form of an internal report;
• Follow the Universal Periodic Review and other relevant human rights mechanisms and contribute to discussions and to the Human Rights Team’s work in supporting Regional Hubs and Country Offices. 
• Prepare drafts of relevant background documents for meetings (terms of reference, concept notes, briefings, reports, discussion papers, as relevant); 
• Support the organization of events geared towards sustaining the UNDP community of practice bringing together practitioners from UNDP’s Country Offices, regional and HQ offices;
• Help facilitate online practitioner engagements such as online dialogues, webinars, etc.
• Support reviewing internal guidance and policy papers;
• Regularly update UNDP’s internal Human Rights online platform with relevant reports and other materials.
• Support the team with initiatives on human rights and digitalization, and the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. 
• Support the communication efforts of the team on social media and online content. 
• Carry out all other related tasks assigned as agreed.

No travel is envisaged for this internship. The selected intern will be required to use his/her own laptop during the internship.
 

Competencies

• Self-starter, organized, detail oriented;
• Able to balance multiple responsibilities;
• A demonstrated ability to synthesize information from multiple sources and produce concise content;
• Demonstrate/safeguard ethics and integrity;
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Ability to take initiative and work independently with minimum supervision;
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities and plan ahead;
• Ability to work effectively in a team and in an international environment.
   

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

Applicants to the UNDP Internship programme must, at the time of application, meet one of the following requirements:

• Be enrolled in a post graduate degree programme (master programme or higher) in international law, human rights law, political science, international relations, public administration, development studies, or related programme; or
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (bachelor degree or equivalent), in above relevant field; or
• Have recently graduated with a university degree, as defined in the above field and, if selected, the candidate must start the internship within one-year of graduation.

Experience:

• Familiarity with the UN system, and/or other international organisations, multi-lateral and other academic and international institutions working on Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law and/or conflict/violence related issues;
• Experience with web-based applications and websites is required;
• Experience of Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Language:

• Fluency in English required;
• Knowledge of Arabic, French or Spanish is an asset.

Application Procedure:

• The application should contain a) brief Cover Letter (in English) stating interest in and qualifications for the post; and (b) current and complete CV in English.

Conditions of the Internship:

• Interns may be given a stipend according to the UNDP Internship Policies, if is not financially supported by any institution or programme, such as a university, government, foundation or scholarship programme;
• Interns are responsible for securing adequate medical insurance for the duration of the internship. UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;
• The intern is responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed;
• In the current context, the intern is expected to partly work from home and partly from the office in Geneva. 
• Interns are not eligible to apply for, or be appointed to, any post in UNDP during the period of the internship;
• Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity;
• The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNDP but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship;
• The intern will be evaluated at the end of the contract and due recognition of work will be issued in writing.

In case an applicant is successfully selected, s/he will be requested to provide electronic versions of the following documents upon selection:

• Copy of the applicant’s most recent resume or curriculum vitae;
• Letter from his/her university confirming current enrolment and graduation date;
• Letter of recommendation from a professor;
• Copy of his/her school transcript;
• Copy of passport;
• Completed UNDP internship application form;
• Signed UNDP Internship Agreement;
• Medical Certificate of Good Health;
• Proof of medical insurance.

Application process:

• In your application, please (i) state in one paragraph why you would like to be considered for the internship, and (ii) indicate your preferred start and end date, as well as your availability timeframe in 2025;
• Submit your CV/Resume.

Please combine the above into one single PDF document as the system only allows to upload one document.

Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. The selected candidate is expected to start on June 22nd 2026.

Disclaimer   Applicant information about UNDP rosters   Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.   Non-discrimination   UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.     UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.    Scam warning   The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.