Org. Setting and Reporting

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is the Secretariat Department responsible for strengthening international human rights mechanisms; enhancing equality and countering discrimination; combating impunity and strengthening accountability and the rule of law; integrating human rights in development and in the economic sphere; widening the democratic space; and early warning and protection of human rights in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity.

This announcement broadcasts international internship opportunities located within the Africa Branch (AB) which is situated in the Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division (FOTCD). In collaboration with other entities of the Office and under the guidance of the Director of the Division, the Africa Branch supports the implementation of the Human Rights programme on the ground and provides assistance to six Special-Procedures mandate holders appointed by the Human Rights Council (HRC). Comprising two sections, the Africa Section II (Western and Central Africa) and the Africa Section I (Eastern and Southern Africa), the Branch leads OHCHR's work at the country-level and in the region of responsibility, supporting the work of 27 field presences of sub-Saharan Africa.

Based in Geneva, Switzerland, under the general guidance and direction of the Director of the Division, the intern reports to the Chief of Branch, the respective Section Chief and/or the Human Rights Officer in the area of assignment. This internship is being offered for an initial period of three (3) months, with possibility of extension up to a total period of six (6) months, with a commencement date ranging/ starting from July to December 2018.

APPLICANTS ARE REQUESTED TO INDICATE THEIR PERIOD OF AVAILABILITY IN THE COVER-LETTER OF THE PERSONAL HISTORY PROFILE (PHP).

Responsibilities

The intern shall support OHCHR in fulfilling its mission: to work for the protection of all human rights for all people; to help empower people to realize their rights; and to assist those responsible for upholding such rights in ensuring that they are implemented. In general, daily responsibilities of interns supporting the Africa Branch will depend on the individual's background and specific duties may include but are not limited to:

Assisting the respective Chief of Section and/or Human Rights Officers (HROs)/Desk Officers (DOs) 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 Universal Periodic Review (UPR) documents; Assisting HROs/DOs in researching and drafting on normative and institutional developments of human rights in the Africa region as well as on incidents or cases of alleged human rights violations; Supporting responses to requests for information relating to the human rights situation in the region or country concerned; Assisting in the preparation and updating of Country profiles, briefing packages, daily and monthly updates/reports; Assisting in the preparation of relevant documents on thematic and country specific human rights issues in the Africa region; Taking minutes of meetings, attending side-events and/or sessions of the Human Rights Council, Treaty Bodies and Universal Periodic Review Working Group; and performing other duties requested by supervisor, as appropriate.

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 the 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 ongoing 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 Secretariat internship programme, applicants must, at the time of application, be enrolled in a graduate school programme (i.e. Master's degree or equivalent degree, or higher) or in the final academic year of a first-level university degree programme (i.e. Bachelor's degree or equivalent degree) in the area of law, political science, international relations, social sciences or related field, OR have graduated with a university as defined above AND, if selected, must commence the internship within one-year period from the date of graduation

Work Experience

Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the internship programme though any relevant academic and/or practical experience, in particular in the area of legal or human rights affairs, would be an advantage. Applicants should be computer literate in standard software applications; have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations with a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter, and have the demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs - which includes willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship fluency in English or French, and knowledge of the other is required.

Assessment

Short-listed candidates will be contacted directly by the hiring manager for an informal interview after the review of their application. Incomplete Personal History Profiles (PHPs)

will not be reviewed. For this reason it is crucial that the cover letter:

- Specifies the area of interest and earliest date of availability;

- Explains why you are a suitable candidate for this OHCHR internship assignment;

- Notes the title and date of the recently earned academic degree or the scheduled graduation date for study programme currently underway; and

- Indicates information technology (IT) skills and programs in which you are proficient.

IN YOUR PHP, BE SURE TO INCLUDE ALL PAST EMPLOYMENT, IF APPLICABLE, PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE - ACADEMIC OR OTHERWISE - AND THREE REFERENCES. IN ADDITION, APPLICANTS SHOULD INDICATE THEIR SPECIALIZATION AND/ OR AREAS OF INTEREST - IN ORDER OF PREFERENCE - AS THIS WILL ENHANCE THE VALUE OF THE INTERNSHIP FOR BOTH THE INTERN AND THE ORGANIZATION. DUE TO HIGH VOLUME OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED, ONLY CANDIDATES WHO HAVE BEEN SHORT-LISTED WILL BE CONTACTED FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION.

Special Notice

In line with the United Nations Internship programme, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights internship provides a framework by which students from diverse academic backgrounds gain exposure to the work of the United Nations through assignment to Secretariat entities. The Programme endeavors to attract qualified students, offering them an opportunity to enrichen their educational experience through exposure to the work of the Organization. Equally, it provides the Office with the assistance of students specialized in various professional fields. Applicants are encouraged to apply for internships which relate directly to their studies, expertise and/or skills.

A person who is the child or sibling of a staff member shall not be eligible to apply for an internship at the United Nations Secretariat. An applicant who bears to a staff member any other family relationship may be engaged as an intern, provided that he or she shall not be assigned to the same work unit of the staff member nor placed under the direct or indirect supervision of the staff member. For purposes of this advertisement, “child” means (i) the child of a staff member; (ii) the child of the spouse of a staff member (e.g. stepchild); and (iii) the spouse of a child of a staff member or a staff member’s spouse (e.g. son- or daughter-in-law). “Sibling” includes the child of both or either parent of a staff member and the child.

The internship is an unpaid (full-time) opportunity and the intern must adhere to the established weekly working hours of the duty station where the assignment is located, including one hour for lunch. Qualified individuals may apply directly to this and other opportunities with the United Nations Secretariat at: https://careers.un.org

For more information on the United Nations Secretariat Internship programme, please visit: https://www.unog.ch