LGBT Rights Program (LAC) Intern

LGBT Rights Program Intern

Application Deadline: 30 November 2025

General Description:

Human Rights Watch’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Rights Program is seeking an intern for the Berlin office to support its work in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The intern will focus on monitoring LGBT rights in LAC, conducting targeted research on law and policy in the region, and preparing written products.

Ideally, the candidate will be available 3-5 days per week (minimum 20 hours a week) beginning mid-January 2026 for three months (dates and hours are flexible), with the possibility to extend the internship a maximum of three months.

The candidate must be an enrolled student for the duration of the internship term and be eligible for a pflichtpraktikum, i.e. this should be a mandatory internship in relation to their studies.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct various short and long-term desk research assignments on human rights law and policy using sources in Portuguese and/or Spanish;
• Monitor and summarize LGBT rights developments in the LAC region;
• Attend virtual and in-person conferences and events in order to complement their ongoing research projects as the opportunity arises;
• Join meetings and interviews with allied civil society organizations and other actors in order to advance their research tasks and skills when appropriate;
• Participate in remote interviews with victims of or witnesses to human rights violations under close supervision and guidance from Human Rights Watch (HRW) staff;
• Attend internal strategy meetings to shape Human Rights Watch’s research and advocacy as the opportunity arises;
• Depending on the candidate’s background and interest, the intern may collaborate with the LGBT Rights Program to shape HRW's work on a new LGBT rights issue or national context; and
• Other related assignments will be given as they arise.

Additional Opportunities:

The intern will have exposure to the workings of a large, international human rights organization. The intern may attend select in-house events, such as speaker series, geared towards professional development for interns. The intern may have the opportunity to attend internal staff meetings and Human Rights Watch events. The intern will also have opportunities to attend external lectures, trainings, professional development workshops, and/or special events relating to human rights. The intern will be encouraged to network with other Human Rights Watch interns, volunteers, and employees. As a Human Rights Watch intern, students will take skills acquired in school and apply them in a professional setting.

Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled student in law, international relations, political science, or related field.
• Eligible for a "pflichtpraktikum" i.e. mandatory internship in relation to their study program.
• Background or strong interest in human rights, generally, and LGBT rights, specifically is highly preferred.
• Strong writing and research skills are highly desirable. The candidate is encouraged to submit a writing sample on human rights, or a related field.
• Full professional proficiency in English is required.
• Advanced proficiency in Portuguese or Spanish is essential. Any other language skills are desirable.
• Computer skills (e.g. Microsoft Office Suite) are required.
• Applicants should demonstrate precise attention to detail, a positive attitude, a proactive approach, and good judgment.

Applicants who are offered an internship must possess valid work authorization in Germany for the duration of the internship.

Compensation: Interns based in Germany will receive a gross monthly stipend of EUR 450 to help offset living expenses in accordance with HRW policy. This gross stipend will be prorated per month to account for the intern’s schedule. Students are often able to arrange academic credit, as HRW internships may offer direct exposure to the workings of an international human rights organization, close supervision by the HRW staff, and interaction with other international organizations and foreign and domestic government officials. Students should check with their individual academic institutions for requirements.

How to Apply: Please apply immediately by visiting our online job portal at: https://careers.hrw.org and attaching a CV/resume, letter of interest/cover letter, and a brief writing sample. No calls or email inquiries, please. Only complete applications will be reviewed. Due to the large number of applications and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted further.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application submission, please email internships@hrw.org. Due to the large response, application submissions via email will not be accepted and inquiries regarding the status of applications will go unanswered.

Human Rights Watch is strong because it is diverse. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Human Rights Watch does not discriminate on the basis of disability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal record. We welcome all kinds of diversity. Our employees include people who are parents and nonparents, the self-taught and university educated, and from a wide span of socio-economic backgrounds and perspectives on the world. Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer.

Human Rights Watch is an international human rights monitoring and advocacy organization known for its in-depth investigations, its incisive and timely reporting, its innovative and high-profile advocacy campaigns, and its success in changing the human rights-related policies and practices of influential governments and international institutions.