Expected duration
3 months, extendable
Duties and Responsibilities
The Office of the United Nations 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. This announcement broadcasts international internship assignments with the Communications and Public Mobilization Section (CPMS) of the External Outreach and Partnerships Service (EOPS). Established in 2013 the External Outreach and Partnerships Service works to create synergies between the different external relations services in aim of maximizing the impact of their work. Comprised of five thematic areas/Unit - Audio-visual, Graphic Design, Social Media, Editorial and Web, the Communications and Public Mobilization Section develops and implements strategies to improve general awareness of human rights issues and generates support for OHCHR's work in the area of human rights. The Office of the United Nations 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. rights in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity. The intern shall support OHCHR in fulfilling its mission: to work for the protection of all human rights for all people; to help empower people to realize their rights; and to assist those responsible for upholding such rights in ensuring that they are implemented. Daily responsibilities of Public Information interns will depend on the individual's background and duties may include but are not limited to researching current human rights issues to aid in communication and public information outreach. Daily responsibilities of Public Information (Social Media) interns will depend on the individual's background and duties may include but are not limited to assisting with developing and coordinating the OHCHR social media accounts for daily postings and for Office campaigns, such as Human Rights Day and International Women's Day and, in particular, the intern may: research latest social media trends for the visualization and communication of human rights topics/issues; assist the Communications team in researching iconography in the Office's image databases and online using the Office's photo library subscriptions; research concepts for Office campaigns and introduce ideas through clear visual and verbal presentations; respond to day to day requests for drafting posts and creating engaging visuals, graphics, videos for the Office's social media channels in the 6 official UN languages under the supervision of the Public Information Officer, provide assistance in the creation of TikTok videos; use the Adobe CC applications for any layout, image editing, vector drawing, etc.; and perform other related duties requested by the supervisor, as appropriate. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, under the overall guidance of the Chief of Section, the intern reports to the respective Unit head. This internship assignment may be offered for an initial period of three (3) months, renewable for a combined period of six (6) months, upon further approval by the supervisor, with a commencement date ranging/starting from January 2026 to July 2026. This internship is an UNPAID and full-time engagement that provides a framework through which students 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. THE UNITED NATIONS IS COMMITTED TO BUILDING A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE WORKFORCE AND WELCOMES APPLICANTS FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS AND COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO MIGRANTS AND/OR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. APPLICANTS SHOULD INDICATE THEIR PRESENT MATRICULATION STATUS AND PERIOD OF AVAILABILITY IN THE APPLICATION COVER LETTER.
Qualifications/special skills
Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master's or Ph.D programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor's, Master's of 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. No work experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship. Ability to create video or graphic design items for social media posts is required.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is an asset. Knowledge of another United Nations official language would be an advantage (i.e. Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).
Additional Information
Not available.
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.
