International Service for Human Rights Internships

The Geneva, Switzerland, Office of the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) seeks interns to observe and learn about both the United Nations (UN) human rights system and the international human rights non-governmental community.

ISHR periodically seeks motivated interns to work in their Geneva office. They are offering full-time and part-time internships from 3-6 months to work with:

• The communications team
• The UN monitoring team
  
• The training team
  
• Internships for other programmes may open - consult the web link below.

The principal focus of the internships will be learning about the workings of the international human rights system. The ISHR considers Geneva to be the hub of international human rights activity and the focus of much activity by governments and national and regional human rights organisations. According to the organisation, the structure of the international machinery has changed with the establishment of the Human Rights Council and with it has come new procedures, new operating modalities, and new challenges.

ISHR will supervise and manage the interns’ work, support their involvement in other capacity building activities, and facilitate acquirement of relevant permits. ISHR will provide the interns with an initial detailed briefing regarding living and working in Geneva and full support to ensure that their stay in Geneva is safe, comfortable, and enjoyable. Throughout the internship, interns are given a range of training opportunities.

Internships for the UN monitoring team and communication team are generally offered for a period of six months, preferably from January 1 to June 30, and from July 1 to December 31. However, in some circumstances, internships for three months will also be offered. Interested persons are encouraged to submit applications for periods of time between 3 - 6 months.

In special circumstances, in order to cater to organisational needs, intern applications for all activities will be considered for intake periods outside of those specified and for shorter internship lengths. Where possible, applications should be forwarded at least three months in advance of the anticipated start date in order to ensure work permit and visa.

The UN monitoring team internships are currently full until the end of April 2011.

The communications team internships are currently full until April 2011.

ISHR is recruiting for training team internships.