Intern, Special Procedures

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 Special Procedures Sections in the Thematic and Special Procedures Division. The Special Procedures are responsible for thematic research and policy development, human rights mainstreaming across all work areas of the United Nations system, development of tools and learning packages and provision of expertise to a variety of stakeholders on a wide range of human rights themes. They support mandate holders appointed by the Human Rights Council– Special Rapporteurs, Working Groups or Independent Experts, to report and advise on human rights from a thematic perspective.

The Division comprises three Branches, specifically: Equality and Non-Discrimination (END), Rule of Law, Accountability and Civic Space (RACS), and Development, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (DESC). Also, the Coordination Information and Communications Unit supports the Special Procedures system as a whole.

For more information on the Special Procedures and its work, including an overview of the different themes covered, go to: https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures-human-rights-council

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 Special Procedures human rights intern will depend on activities carried-out within the assigned work unit and the individual's background. Duties may include but are not limited to contributing to thematic reports or studies, including research of related literature, international law and jurisprudence and, in particular, the intern may: assist in the preparation of official country visits, in particular through the drafting of country specific human rights assessments; analyze human rights issues contained in cases and complaints addressed to the mandate holders; draft letters on particular cases and complaints taken up by mandate holders, including summarizing the human rights violations alleged in the case and preparing a short legal analysis of these violations; collect information and conduct research for the preparation of briefing notes, statements and other documents; take notes of meetings with different stakeholders, in particular civil society representatives; attend sessions of the Human Rights Council (HRC) and assisting with the preparation of related activities and events; assist in the organization of meetings and seminars; translate documents; and perform other related duties as requested by supervisor, as appropriate.

Qualifications/special skills

COMPETENCIES: Professionalism, Communication, Teamwork, and Client orientation.

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.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat.