Human Rights Internship – Development, Economic, Social & Cultural Rights

About the role

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is offering a three‑month internship in Geneva within the Development, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (DESC) Branch. The intern will support the Branch’s work on the right to development, ESCR, sustainable development, climate change and related thematic areas.

Key responsibilities

• Assist the Chief of Branch and Section heads in preparing briefing notes, reports and policy documents.
• Conduct research on international human‑rights standards, climate‑change impacts, and socio‑economic development issues.
• Support the drafting of communications, statements and contributions to UN processes.
• Help organise meetings, webinars and events related to DESC thematic work.
• Collect and analyse data on health, water, sanitation, food security and social protection for use in OHCHR publications.

Required profile

• Enrolled in a university programme in law, international relations, human rights, development studies or a related field.
• Strong interest in economic, social and cultural rights and sustainable development.
• Excellent written and oral English; knowledge of another UN language is a plus.
• Ability to work in an international, multicultural environment.

Required skills

What we offer

• Practical experience within a UN human‑rights office.
• Exposure to high‑level policy work and UN mechanisms.
• Possibility of extending the internship for an additional three months.