Work Location

Remote and/or in person New York

Expected duration

3-6 months. Desired start date is 21 September 2026, or sooner.

Duties and Responsibilities

The duration of the internship is for three (3) - six (six) months. This internship is UNPAID in person and full-time (35 hours per week), on the United Nations premise working arrangement in-person, (New York, USA), or all remote. Org. Setting and Reporting / Cadre organisationnel This internship is located in the Human Rights and Rule of Law Section, of the United Nations Office for Counter-Terrorism United Nations, located in New York. The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism was established by the General Assembly in June 2017. The Office has five main functions: (a) provide leadership on the General Assembly counter-terrorism mandates entrusted to the Secretary-General across the United Nations System; (b) enhance coordination and coherence across the Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact entities to ensure the balanced implementation of the four pillars of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy; (c) strengthen the delivery of United Nations counter-terrorism capacity-building assistance to Member States; (d) improve visibility, advocacy and resource mobilization for United Nations counter-terrorism efforts; and (e) ensure that due priority is given to counter-terrorism across the United Nations System and that the important work on preventing violent extremism is firmly rooted in the Strategy. Interns will work under the supervision of a Human Rights Officer, under overall guidance from the Chief of Section. We recruit interns throughout the year for assignments for an initial period of three (3) months which may be subject to extension up to six (6) months based on the needs of the Section. The start and end dates will be decided upon mutual agreement. All internships will take place remotely. Applicants should indicate their period of availability in the application cover letter. This internship is an unpaid and full-time engagement that provides a framework through which the selected candidate gains exposure to the work of the United Nations by way of their service within the United Nations Office for Counter-Terrorism. Responsibilities / Responsabilités Interns are expected to perform various tasks in support of the implementation of UNOCT’s Global Human Rights Programme. Daily responsibilities of interns will depend on the individuals’ background and may include:

Assist in drafting, editing, and preparing background documents such as reports, briefings, presentations, talking points and outreach material, including social media content, etc. in the field of human rights and the rule of law in preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism (CT/PCVE).
Take notes at relevant meetings and prepare meeting reports and summaries.
Assist in conducting research and analysis on topics related to human rights, the rule of law, and preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism, including on international and country-specific human rights and rule of law trends, developments, policies, initiatives and/or legislation in preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism.
Provide support in organizing meetings, conferences, side events, etc. to strengthen strategic engagement with partners (Member States, UN entities, other international and regional organizations, civil society, academia, etc.).
Assist in preparing training and learning events and other capacity building initiatives.
Perform other related duties as required. More generally, interns shall:
Observe all applicable rules, regulations, instructions, procedures and directives of the Organization notwithstanding their status as described in section 4 of the UN Internship Programme Administrative Instructions ST/AI/2000/9 & ST/AI/2005/11;
Provide the receiving departments/offices with a copy of all materials prepared by them during the internship. The UN shall be entitled to all property rights, including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regard to material which bears a direct relation to, or is made in consequence of, the services provided under the internship. At the request of the UN, the interns shall assist in securing such property rights and transferring them to the UN in compliance with the requirements of the applicable law.
Respect the impartiality and independence required of the UN and of the receiving department/office and shall not seek or accept instructions regarding the services performed under the internship agreement from any Government or from any authority external to the UN.
Unless otherwise authorized by the appropriate official in the receiving department/office, they may not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, Government or any other external source any information which has become known to them by reason of their association with the UN or the receiving department/office, that they know or ought to have known has not been made public. They may not use any such information without the written authorization of the appropriate official, and such information may never be used for personal gain. These obligations also apply after the end of the internship with the UN; and
Refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on the UN or on the receiving department/office and will not engage in any activity which is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the UN.

Qualifications/special skills

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: (a) be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent). Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work. experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required. Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PH.D. Programme. Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage. Knowledge of human rights and the rule of law issues in preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism, as well as experience in undertaking research, drafting background notes and reports, would be desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required for this internship. Knowledge of an additional UN language is an asset. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations.

Additional Information

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Applicants who have previously served six months, in total, as an intern in one or more UN Common Systems cannot be engaged as an intern. Applicants who are children, siblings, and sons or daughters-in-law (including stepchildren, half-siblings, or stepsiblings) of an active staff member in a UN Common System cannot be engaged as an intern. In your Motivational Statement, please indicate when you would like to start your internship. Please note that the start and end dates are flexible. A complete online application is required. reviewed. The Motivational Statement must also include:

Title of degree you are currently pursuing.
Graduation Date (When will you be graduating/have graduated from the programme?)
Explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship
Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme In your online Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work experiences, IT skills, and three references.

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.

Human Rights Intern: Support to the Global Human Rights Programme