Work Location

Remote and/or in-person (Geneva, Switzerland)

Expected duration

Three months with possibility of additional three months extension. Ideally to start in September or October 2026 with opportunities continuing throughout 2027.

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Office of the 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. The intern, under the general guidance of a primary supervisor, will be assigned to the Anti-Racial Discrimination Section (ARDS), located in the Equality and Non-discrimination Branch (ENDB), based in Geneva, Switzerland. The Anti-Racial Discrimination Section supports States, national human rights institutions, civil society and the United Nations system on implementing the UN's human rights standards and core work to eliminate racial discrimination, including through the implementation of international human rights standards and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. It undertakes capacity-building and the promotion and protection, prevention and monitoring of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance around the world. The Section provides thematic advice and undertakes research on contemporary issues such as incitement to hatred and hate speech, religious intolerance, multiple discrimination, and systemic racism, and provides secretariat support to the mandates of six mechanisms which focus on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. This internship is an unpaid and full-time engagement that provides a framework through which individuals from diverse academic backgrounds gain exposure to the work of the United Nations by way of their service within Secretariat entities. 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.

Qualifications/special skills

To qualify for the United Nations Secretariat internship programme, applicants must, at the time of submission, be enrolled in, or have completed a graduate school programme (i.e. Master's degree or equivalent degree, or higher) or, be enrolled in, or have completed 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 related field. Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the 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 spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an asset (i.e. Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

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.