Special Notice                

Completed online application (Cover Note and Personal History Profile) is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The cover note must include: 

-Title of degree you are currently pursuing. 

-Graduation Date (When will you be/have graduating/graduated from the programme?)

*MAKE SURE TO INDICATE AVAILABILITY BETWEEN APRIL 2017 TO MARCH 2018 (at the top of your cover letter)
*THE INTERNSHIP IS UNPAID AND FULL TIME
*TRAVEL COSTS, TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS INCLUDING VISA AND LIVING ACCOMODATIONS ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE INTERN OR THEIR SPONSORING INSTITUTION

Org. Setting and Reporting                

The Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights internship is for a period of two to six months depending on the needs of the Section. 

The internship is unpaid and full-time. Interns are not staff members of the Organization and do not represent it in any capacity.

Interns work five days per week. This internship is located in the Africa Branch (AB), Field Operations and Cooperation Technical Division (FOTCD)                

Responsibilities                

Under the general supervision of the respective chief of sections in the Africa Branch, he/she will:

1.Assist the Chief of Section and Desk Officers in the systematic collection and analysis of information regarding the human rights situation in one or several countries of a given region and in the preparation of reports, documents and other written materials thereon (such as Treaty Bodies, Special Procedures and UPR documents);

2.Assists Desk Officers in researching and drafting on normative and institutional developments of human rights in Africa as well as on incidents or cases of alleged human rights violations; 

3.Assists Desk Officers in responding to requests for information relating to the human rights situation in the country (ies) concerned;

4.Assist Desk Officers in preparing and updating Country profiles, briefing packages, daily and monthly updates/reports;

5.Assist Desk Officers in the preparation of relevant documents on thematic and country specific human rights issues in Africa;

6.Assist Desk Officer in taking minutes of meetings, attending side-events, sessions of the Human Rights Council, Treaty Bodies and UPR Working Group.                

Competencies               

COMMUNICATION. Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. TEAMWORK. Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. CLIENT ORIENTATION. Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view ; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect ; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions ; monitors on-going developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems ; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects ; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.                

Education                

To qualify for the United Nations Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met: 

- Applicants to the United Nations internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements: 

(a) Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);  
(b) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent);  
(c) Have graduated with a university degree, as defined above, and, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period of graduation.  

Applicants for all countries are accepted and under-represented or un-represented countries in the UN are encouraged to apply.                

Work Experience                

No professional work experience is required for participation in the Internship Programme.                

Languages                

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship, fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish is highly desirable; knowledge of another UN language is an asset.                

Assessment                

Please note that due to the large number of applicants, only short-listed candidates will be contacted for further consideration.