Full-time Programme Internship Geneva, Switzerland

Dates: 2 September 2024 – 28 February 2025

Length: 6 months

Work percentage: Full-time (37.5 hours/week)

Based in: in Geneva (if eligible for a work permit)

Reports to: Programme Officer/Manager or Director

Applications deadline: 12 May 2024 (Midnight Geneva time)

About ISHR

ISHR is an independent, non-profit organisation with offices in Geneva and New York. This

internship offers a unique opportunity to view the United Nations human rights system at

work in Geneva. It provides hands-on experience working for an international

non-governmental organisation (NGO) as well as the opportunity to contribute to our work

supporting human rights defenders, strengthening human rights systems, building and

leading human rights coalitions, and responding to significant and systemic human rights

concerns. For more information, consult our website https://ishr.ch/.

Internship position

The Intern will work closely with Programme Officer/Managers and Directors, contributing to

our work supporting human rights defenders, strengthening human rights systems, building

and leading human rights coalitions, and responding to significant and systemic situations of

concern.

Working in a small team, the Intern will have the opportunity to learn at close hand what it

means to work for an international human rights advocacy organisation. The Intern will also

have the opportunity to collaborate with ISHR staff in all locations and gain hands-on

experience on the application of international human rights law in a multilateral human rights

system, including advocacy on normative and policy advances for the protection of human

rights defenders.

Training and Opportunities

Our Interns are fully included as part of the team, including in staff meetings, which provide a

comprehensive understanding of the work of an international human rights NGO. Interns also

have opportunities to interact and network with human rights defenders, diplomats or other

UN and NGO professionals both at the United Nations and at ISHR’s office (or remotely)

during meetings;

Where appropriate or necessary for their work, ISHR staff will provide practical sessions and

guidance, for example, on monitoring UN mechanisms, drafting reports and advocacy

documents, utilizing communications technologies, etc. Interns will be supervised by one or

two experienced programme managers, and supported in achieving their learning objectives

through regular check-ins with the Intern Coordinator.

Approximately 15-20% of the work will be administrative in nature.

Internship modalities

The internship will be in person, in ISHR’s Geneva office and will start on 2 September 2024

until 28 February 2025. It is a 6-month full-time (37.5 hours per week) position with no

possibility of extension. ISHR will consider applicants who are unable to work on-site. This

will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please indicate in your application whether you

will be able to work on-site or wish to be considered for a remote position.

Stipend

Internships will be compensated CHF700/month.

Requirements

To be considered, applicants should:

▪ be an advanced undergraduate student or graduate student in international relations,

law, international public law, human rights or a related field;

▪ be motivated to pursue a career in human rights and have a particular interest in the

UN and regional human rights systems;

▪ have an excellent level of written and spoken English;

▪ be detail-oriented and attentive to nuance, in particular in diplomatic environments;

▪ be motivated, autonomous and a self-starter, and comfortable occasionally working

with limited supervision;

▪ be able to work as a member of an international and multicultural team and willing to

participate in a variety of tasks, as required.

Additional particularly appreciated skills:

▪ Advanced to fluent Spanish and/or French and/or Arabic language; Mandarin is

also an asset.

▪ Interest or background, including activism in, corporate accountability, women’s

rights, and/or LGBTI rights;

▪ Legal drafting and research including on treaty body jurisprudence;

▪ Interest or background in training/capacity building, including online learning, logistics,

travel and event planning.

Per Geneva labour law, ISHR can only consider applications from candidates:

▪ who are currently enrolled in a course of study leading to a degree or professional

qualification and whose school agrees to enter a three-way agreement1 with ISHR; or

▪ who are about to start an advanced degree (e.g. Master’s) pending their school

agrees to enter a three-way agreement with ISHR.

▪ who pursue the internship shortly after the completion of a first degree (e.g.

Bachelor's degree), in view of a second training (e.g. Master's degree), provided that

the school awarding the degree attests the relevance and usefulness of the

internship.

Unless required to complete an internship as part of their studies, candidates with a Swiss

Student B Permit can only work full-time during their holidays.

How to apply

Interested candidates should apply by sending a cover letter, a CV (no profile picture

please) and a writing sample here. In their cover letter, candidates should demonstrate

their commitment to human rights and social change.

Application deadline: 12 May 2024 (midnight, Geneva time). Incomplete applications will

not be considered.

Please kindly note that due to the high volume of applications, only short-listed candidates

will be contacted. All applications will be handled in accordance with ISHR’s Privacy Policy.

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Equal opportunity

ISHR is firmly committed to having a diverse team and to the principle of equal employment

opportunity. ISHR's policy is to practice fair and non-discriminatory recruitment and selection

procedures and strive for diverse, international and multicultural personnel. We welcome all

kinds of diversity.

Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction including on

grounds of race, colour, national origin, age, religion, disability status, sexual orientation,

gender identity and expression or sex characteristics, pregnancy, genetic information,

protected veteran status, socio-economic status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We particularly welcome applications from systematically, historically and/or traditionally

discriminated against under-represented groups, including women, persons of colour,

LGBTIQ+ persons candidates, persons with disabilities and other groups.