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Browse the page below to know more about our internship programme:
Vacancies
ISHR trains motivated interns to work in our Geneva office. Please note that if you are a non-EU citizen and the internship is not integral to your studies, or if you are a non-EU citizen and have already compeleted an internship in Geneva, we may not be able to secure your work visa.
All successful candidates will need to provide a bank statement and a letter from a garantor to demonstrate that you can cover your expenses in Geneva (2,500chf per month).
We offer full-time and part-time internships from 3-6 months to work with:
UN monitoring team
An internship with the UN monitoring team offers interns a unique opportunity to view the UN human rights system at work. Interns are required to monitor UN human rights meetings, including the Human Rights Council, Treaty Body sessions, and working groups. Interns substantively contribute to ISHR’s publications and analytical material, such as the Council Monitor, the UPR Monitor, the Treaty Body Monitor and other regular online publications.
To be considered, applicants should:
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be motivated to pursue a career in human rights and have a particular interest in the UN human rights system
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have a background in international human rights law, international relations, political science or a related discipline;
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have a very high standard of written and spoken English;
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be able to report thoroughly and accurately on the meetings they attend
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be flexible, including a willingness to cover the evening sessions of some UN meetings
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be able to work as a member of a team and willing to participate in a variety of tasks, as required
We are currently accepting applications to start August 2012.
Communications team
An internship with the communications team provides interns with an opportunity to learn about the workings of the international human rights system and the implementation of communications activities in this context. The intern assists with editing and translation of publications and news pieces, developing ISHR's online presence, and a variety of other communications projects.
To be considered, applicants should be undertaking tertiary study in the field of communication, marketing, sociology, languages, graphic design or similar, or have recently completed such study. They should also possess:
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Excellent communication skills in French and English (fluent oral and written)
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Excellent IT skills including a good command of Word, Excel and Powerpoint. Additional skills in website content management, design or video production software (Joomla, iMovie, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) would be an advantage
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A good understanding of online social media (including Facebook, YouTube and Twitter)
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Excellent people skills and ability to multi-task
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Flexibility and willingness to also carry out administrative tasks (data entry, questionnaire analysis, etc)
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A desire to experience working in a multi-cultural environment and genuine interest in becoming familiar with the work of a human rights NGO
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Full or part-time availability, for a period of six months, with a possibility to start in mid-February preferred
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Motivation to pursue a career in Communications with a particular interest in human rights issues.
We are currently accepting applications to start February 2012.
Internship with the training team
An internship with the Training Programme gives the intern a chance to be involved in ISHR's core activities in training human rights defenders to effectively use UN human rights mechanisms. The intern will be expected to help plan and co-ordinate Geneva-based training courses, liaise with human rights activists and academics, UN staff, and facilitate interaction between course participants and UN special procedures, diplomats and key NGO representatives.
To be considered, applicants should:
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be familiar with or have an interest in international human rights law and procedures
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be committed to human rights education
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have very good interpersonal and leadership skills
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be highly organised
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be fluent in English. Fluency in French is required for training courses in French.
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have good teamworking skills
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have experience with working with a wide range of individuals from a variety of backgrounds
We are currently accepting internships to start January 2012.
Internship with the Finance Team
The finance team offers an internship to work on various financial projects in line with the activities of the organization. The intern will provide assistance to the finance officers and carry out some tasks such as follow-up on the budgets, track the funding, expenditures and balances, update monthly reports, prepare monthly payments, ensure regular bookkeeping and manage petty cash. The intern substantively contributes to the implementation of new procedures related to finance and analytical accountability.
To be considered, applicants should:
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Have a background in finance and administration
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Have a good command of Word, Excel, and accountability software would be an asset
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Be fluent in English and fluency in French is desirable
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be able to multi-task and work under pressure to meet tight deadlines
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be flexible and willing to carry out the less interesting tasks (bookkeeping, bill paying)
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be motivated to work in a multi-cultural environment
Internship with the Regional and National Human Rights Programme
This programme works to encourage human rights defenders at the national level to consider engaging with national, regional and international human rights mechanisms as part of their human rights strategies. An internship with this programme would give you the opportunity to be involved in our work with regional human rights defenders' networks, particularly in Africa, and to assist with the preparation of ISHR engagement with human rights bodies at the regional level.To be considered applicants should:
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Be motivated to pursue a career in human rights and have a particular interest in the UN and regional human rights systems
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Have a background in international human rights law, international relations, political science or a related discipline
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Have good analytical and research skills
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Be fluent in English and in French
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Have proven interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment
The Regional and National team internship is currently full until August 2012.
Professional development and training
ISHR will supervise and manage the interns’ work, support their involvement in other capacity building activities and facilitate the acquirement of relevant permits. ISHR shall ensure the interns are provided with an initial detailed briefing regarding living and working in Geneva and we will also fully support them to ensure their stay in Geneva is safe, comfortable and enjoyable. Throughout the internship, interns are given a range of training opportunities.
Depending on which UN sessions are being held during the internship and the needs of the interns, a typical training programme for a 3-6 months internship usually includes:
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intern meetings, at which interns from all programmes have an opportunity to discuss and debate as a group, activities in which they have been involved and developments within the UN human rights bodies
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staff meetings which may include presentations from ISHR staff members on current activities and their own experiences
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presentations at ISHR by members of the UN treaty monitoring bodies, Special Rapporteurs, experienced activists, NGO activists and visiting academics present in Geneva in association with events on the UN human rights calendar
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opportunities to attend external events such as conferences and evening lectures to enhance interns’ professional interaction with other Geneva-based NGOs, UN institutions and professionals
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opportunities to participate in Geneva based training courses that may be running at the time of the internship
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practical sessions and guidance in monitoring and writing reports for various UN mechanisms, using ISHR and OHCHR websites, familiarisation sessions on the UN Human Rights system and train-the-trainer sessions on training human rights defenders and using interactive methodology
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practical career workshops on working in the human rights field such as developing CV writing skills, applying for jobs, preparing for interviews, individual feedback on mock interviews, panel discussions on careers with ISHR staff
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individual supervision and mentoring. To enhance the sustainability of the internship and to help ensure the interns’ skills are developed appropriately, they will each be required to fill in a self-evaluation form which draws on the knowledge and skills acquired during the internship
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social activities such as ski and sauna days, dinners/drinks out, visits to areas of cultural interest with a dynamic and friendly crowd
Application process
Applicants should submit an Application Form (download as Word or PDF) and CV (with two references) with a clear indication to which programme they would like to apply. Internship applications not specifying a particular programme will not be considered. You will then be sent a recruitment task if your initial application is successful.
International Service for Human Rights
Rue de Varembé 1
P.O. Box 16
CH-1211 Geneva 20
Switzerland
Tel.: (+41 22) 919 7100
Fax: (+41 22) 919 71 25
E-mail:
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Length of internships
Internships are offered for a minimum period of 3 months and a maximum period of 6 months. We strongly favour applications from those who are willing to commit to a longer internship. Applications should be forwarded at least three months in advance of the anticipated start date in order to ensure work permit and visa. Applications for internships are accepted all year round unless otherwise stated on this webpage.
Remuneration
Unfortunately, ISHR cannot currently fund interns. Interns must find sufficient funding for their travel to Geneva, health insurance, daily living and lodging costs.
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