INTERN - HUMAN RIGHTS, I

Duties and Responsibilities

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 internships with the Media Outreach & Spokesperson's Office (MOSO), located in the Executive Direction Management (EDM), which focuses on engaging with the media and promoting the messaging of the High Commissioner and the Office through speeches, news releases, press briefings and other media products and activities. In addition, in aim of maximizing the impact of the work of the Section, media officers are also involved in publicizing the work of the Special Procedures and Treaty Bodies. Under the overall guidance of the Chief of Section/Spokesperson, the intern reports to the Deputy Spokesperson or the Public Information Officer in the assigned work unit. 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 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 Public Information interns will depend on the individual's background and duties may include, but are not limited to, researching current human rights issues to aid media and public information outreach and, in particular, the intern may:

• Conduct media monitoring and compiling daily media clippings of news coverage of the work of the Office, the Treaty Bodies and Special Rapporteurs;
• Help with preparation of material for press conferences and bi-weekly press briefing by the Spokesperson;
• Assist with setting up and running events;
• Research and assist with providing material for a range of media platforms;
• Assist in researching material for speeches; and
• Perform other related duties requested by the supervisor, as appropriate.

Qualifications/special skills

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 (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, communication, journalism, international relations, public administration, political science, social sciences or a related field, AND, if selected, must commence the internship on the date indicated on the acceptance letter. No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.

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).