Human Rights Intern (Start ASAP)

Your Role

This internship is located in the Human Rights Team in the Policy and Best Practices Service (PBPS), Division of Policy, Evaluation and Training (DEPT) in the Department of Peace Operations (DPO). The intern will support the Human Rights Team with the following tasks:

• Assistance in conducting research on issues related to the implementation of the human rights mandate in UN peacekeeping operations
• Assistance in statistical analysis or data extraction
• Assistance in the review of various policies, papers, and other documents/materials as they relate to the Human Rights Team
• Assistance in preparing reports, concept papers, policy documents, talking points, articles, and other materials related to human rights
• Attending and taking notes at conferences and meetings
• Assistance in servicing conferences and meetings and training activities
• Assist with project management development
• Proofreading/copyediting of team documents
• Assist in data collection, data analysis as well as information and databases management
• Perform other duties as required.

About the Team:

The Policy, Evaluation, and Training Division (DPET) is mandated to develop and disseminate the policy and doctrine guiding the work of Peacekeeping Operations. In addition, the division has the responsibility to evaluate, at the request of the heads of the departments, how those policies are being applied, gather lessons learned and best practices, and use that information to guide the development, coordination, and delivery of standardized training, so as to complete the learning cycle. DPET is also responsible for developing and maintaining strategic cooperation with various UN and external partners. The Policy and Best Practices Service (PBPS) is part of the Policy Evaluation and Training Division (DPET) of the Department of Peace Operations. It provides support to both DPO and DOS. The core function of PBPS is to help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of peacekeeping operations through the exchange of good practices between missions, the development of guidance material that reflects lessons learned, and thematic policy support in selected areas. PBPS also leads several reform processes.

About the Internship:

• This internship is unpaid and is designed to be in person and full-time (35 hours per week), on the United Nations premise (New York, USA).
• This internship can be adjusted based on the needs of the successful candidate to part-time (20 hours per week) and/or remote.
• A full-time internship is for an initial period of two months, and a part-time internship is for an initial four months.
• Internships may be extended up to a maximum of six months, depending on the needs of the Division.

About You

Qualifications/special skills:

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

• Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher)
• Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree program (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 students in the final year of their first university degree (bachelor's 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.
• Experience in preparing, editing, and/or translating policy documents and communication products is desirable.
• Experience in and supporting the organization of events is desirable.

Languages:

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.

Additional Information:

• The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving a 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.

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.

Compensation & Benefits

This internship is unpaid, full-time. If you join as a full-time employee, you will get the following benefits:

• Tax exemption
• Allowances and benefits
• Holidays and leave
• Health insurance
• Retirement pension

Training & Development

An internship at the UN could be the ideal start if you are considering a career in the Organization. It will give you exposure to high-profile conferences, political decision-making, or work on the ground, as well as the opportunity to contribute to the projects and mandates of the United Nations. You can apply for any internship around the world, regardless of nationality.

As an intern, you will:

• Enhance your educational experience through practical work assignments
• Deepen your knowledge and understanding of the Organization’s goals, principles, and activities
• Work in an international environment, and network with international civil servants, career professionals, and senior management
• Provide the UN with assistance in your area of expertise
• Participate in tasks such as drafting documents, analysis of data, research, organization of conferences or events, work on media campaigns and outreach, and much more

Career Progress

UN internship will not automatically lead to a job with the UN, but with the experience you have acquired during your time as an intern, you might be interested in applying for General Service or consultancy positions. If you want to apply to positions at the Professional and Higher or Field Service levels, they ask you to let at least six months pass after the end of your internship before you submit your application and ensure that you fulfill not only the educational but also the work experience requirements that are outlined in each job opening.

How to Apply

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 and will be 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 program?)
• Explain why you are the best candidate for this specific internship
• Explain your interest in the United Nations Internship Program in your online Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work experiences, IT skills, and three references.

Source

The following sources were used in researching this page:

• careers.un.org/payandbenefits
• careers.un.org/job-level
• youtu.be/QE0d89e-JMM?si=nNf4JAICGVDTUd9c