UN Election Advocacy Intern at the Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch’s (“HRW”) Advocacy Department seeks an intern to assist with a global campaign by nongovernmental organizations to improve the membership of the UN Human Rights Council by shining a spotlight on candidate states with poor human rights records, in an election to be held in the UN General Assembly on May 20, 2011. The campaign will also seek to promote the observance of human rights standards through the election process.

Duties will include: Research and drafting regarding issues related to the 2011 election campaign for members of the UN Human Rights Council and the human rights records of candidate states; setting up meetings with diplomats at UN Missions, coordinating internal meetings and communications with allied nongovernmental organizations around the world, and otherwise assisting with administrative work for the election campaign. Assisting with preparation of an innovative website for the campaign. 

The internship offers experience in research and the development of advocacy strategies, direct exposure to the workings of an international human rights organization, close supervision by HRW staff, interaction with the UN, foreign and domestic government officials, and other nongovernmental organizations, and opportunities to attend lectures, trainings, and special events relating to human rights. The internship is unpaid.

Qualifications: Applicants should be well-organized, self-motivated and reliable, with a strong interest in international relations, the United Nations, and human rights. Relevant coursework and experience are highly desirable. Computer skills (Microsoft Office, Internet applications) are required; web design skills are desirable. Complete written and oral fluency in English is required; knowledge of foreign languages is a plus.

Please apply immediately by sending a letter of interest, resume, names of references, and a brief, unedited writing sample (no calls or email inquiries, please) to advocacyinternships@hrw.org. Please use “UN Election Advocacy Internship” as the subject of your email. Only complete applications will be reviewed. It is preferred that all materials be submitted via email. If emailing is not possible, send materials (please do not split a submission between email and regular post) to:

Human Rights Watch
Attn: Search Committee (UN Election Advocacy Internship)
350 Fifth Avenue, 34th Floor
New York, NY 10118-3299
Fax: (212) 736-1300