Human Rights Internship at the World Federation of United Nations Associations

A peoples’ movement for the United Nations

General Overview

The World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) is a global non-profit organization working for a stronger and more effective United Nations. Established in 1946, we represent and coordinate a membership of over 100 United Nations Associations and their thousands of members.

Mission

We work to build a better world by strengthening and improving the United Nations, through the
engagement of people who share a global mind-set and support international cooperation – global citizens.

The Global Citizen Campaign – Human Rights Program

Based on the premise that we are all united through the UN’s core values, in 2009, WFUNA launched the Global Citizen Campaign a series of targeted programs and activities that promote cooperative and democratic problem-solving; and educate and engage WFUNA’s members to be leaders and global citizens.

WFUNA’s human rights work is done in the context of the Global Citizen Campaign and aims at increasing the capacity of United Nations Associations to interact effectively with the UN human rights system; as well as to strengthen their strategic advocacy work at the international and national level.

Internship Description

We at WFUNA are currently recruiting for a Human Rights Intern to join our Geneva based team. The Human Rights Intern will provide support to WFUNA’s human rights program in cooperation with the Director of Programs at the Geneva office.

Responsibilities include:

• Attending and reporting on meetings of the Human Rights Council and other UN human rights mechanisms

• Assisting with project development by adding ideas and contributing to adapting the project proposal and the outreach strategy

• Assisting with the organization of human rights briefings, seminars and/or workshops

• Contributing content for human rights trainings, briefings, seminars, and presentations

• Assisting with managing the WFUNA’s human rights website, including producing, updating and further developing online content, producing the website’s fortnightly newsletter and coordinating translation of the website by volunteers

• Contributing to the communication strategy of the website, to readership outreach and partnership building

• Attending a range of other UN and civil society meetings

Additional responsibilities/ opportunities may include:

• Assisting the Director in liaising with United Nations Associations and other civil society organizations

• Representing WFUNA at UN meetings and events, and staying updated on issues related to
human rights at the United Nations, and sharing relevant information with interested UNAs

• Reporting to the Director of Programs on human rights related issues at the UN

• Contributing written materials to the online magazine UN Connections

• Assisting with some administrative duties at the office

Some of the opportunities

1. The WFUNA Secretariat office is located within the Palais des Nations, the United Nations building, in Geneva. The Human Rights Intern will have access to the United Nations building, conferences and events and resources such as the UN Library.

2. This position offers an excellent networking opportunity – the Human Rights Intern will be able to make contact with UN staff, diplomats, UNA members, academics, and NGO representatives, and meet other interns from around the world who are working at the UN.

Requirements

• Prior coursework and academic background and/or practical experience in the field of human rights/ international law/international relations and/or diplomacy is a must.

• Knowledge of, and experience in website management is highly desirable.

• Preference will be given to candidates with prior UNA experience.

• Familiarity of the UN system is beneficial.

• Strong writing, drafting and computer skills are necessary.

• Fluency in English is required. Strong knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of a foreign language is a plus.

WFUNA can unfortunately only accept interns from the EU, Switzerland or applicants already in possession of a work permit for Switzerland.

This internship is unpaid and for a duration of 6 months, full time (40hrs a week) to start as soon as possible.

If you are interested in applying, please follow the internship application procedure as detailed on our website at the following address: -http://wfuna.capellic.com/internships-at-wfuna