Internship: Human Rights

Job Opening ID: 275569
Job Network : -
Job Family : Human Rights Affairs
Category and Level : Internship, I-1
Duty Station : KIGALI
Department/Office : Resident Coordinator System
Date Posted : Apr 16, 2026
Deadline : Apr 30, 2026

Work Location: Kigali, Rwanda

Expected duration: 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

This internship is located in the Senior Human Rights Advisor (SHRA) Unit of the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) in Kigali, Rwanda. The intern will support the Human Rights Adviser and will report directly to the designated supervisor.

The Senior Human Rights Advisor (SHRA) Unit is embedded in RCO and works under the operational and thematic guidance of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). SHRA Unit plays the role of coordination, support and provision of enabling services ensuring the provision by UN Country Team (UNCT) of optimal support to government, and other partners including national human rights institutions and civil society, in the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.

SHRA Unit supports the RC and the UNCT in promoting all human rights (civil, cultural, economic, political and social including the Right to Development) as a common UN value and upholding international norms and standards through:

• Advocacy and awareness-raising;

• Technical support to integrate human rights into their programmes and activities;

• Support for the active engagement with the work of the human rights mechanisms (Universal Periodic Review, Treaty Bodies and Special Procedures);

• Support to building and strengthening national capacities and institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the assigned officer, the intern may be responsible for the following duties:

• Conduct research and analysis on human rights issues in Rwanda and the region

• Assist in drafting reports, briefing notes, and background papers

• Support the organization of meetings, workshops, and human rights events

• Contribute to communication outputs, including social media and advocacy materials

• Provide administrative and logistical support to the office

• Perform other duties as required

Qualifications/special skills

Applicants must at the time of application, meet one of the following requirements:

• Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher),

• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent),

• Have graduated with Bachelor’s degree, Masters, PhD or equivalent.

Be computer literate in standard software applications (Microsoft Office Suite).

Have demonstrated a keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter.

Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes a willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Preferred areas of study: Applicants should be pursuing or have completed studies in one of the following fields: Human Rights, Law (International Law, Human Rights Law, or related fields), International Relations, Political Science, Social Sciences (e.g., Sociology, Development Studies), Peace and Conflict Studies or Transitional Justice.

Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required.

Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master’s or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PH.D. Programme.

Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. Knowledge of another UN language would be desirable.

Additional Information

Not available.

Intern Specific text

Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions.

Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Deadline: April 30, 2026