Work Location

Geneva

Expected duration

3-6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

This JO will be used for a total of 10 portions, Oct 2026 - April 2027 As the leading UN entity on human rights, OHCHR has an independent mandate to promote and protect human rights across the world and to mainstream human rights throughout the UN system. The Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights Section leads the thematic work of the OHCHR on economic, social, and cultural rights (ESCR), contributing to global policy development and providing advice and technical support to OHCHR country and regional offices as well as human rights components of the United Nations peace missions. It works to promote the indivisibility of human rights across the Office and engages with multiple stakeholders in advocating for the promotion and protection of economic, social and cultural rights. Within this context, the team carries out research and analysis to develop the Office's policy positions; supports the High Commissioner's advocacy on ESCR; fulfils General Assembly and Human Rights Council mandates related to ESCR; and ensures collaboration with and support to the work of UN human rights mechanisms. A key pillar of our work is strengthening partnerships with UN entities, cities and local governments, national human rights institutions, and wider civil society to jointly promote ESCR and to support our partners to integrate ESCR in their work. The Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Section is situated in the Development, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Branch (DESCRB) of the Thematic and Special Procedures Division (TSP) of OHCHR. The intern will report to a designated Human Rights Officer. The intern is expected to provide substantive, organizational and logistical assistance to the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Section as a whole.

Qualifications/special skills

Candidates must be either : (a) Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or, (b) Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent).

Languages

Fluent in English

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.