The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is looking for an Intern for its Anti-Racial Discrimination Section in Geneva, Switzerland. The internship is unpaid and full-time, lasts three to six months, can be done in Geneva and/or remotely, and applications close on 22 October 2026. Youth Works Hub went through the full job opening so you can see every task, requirement and condition in one place.
OHCHR Internship Key Facts
🆔 Job Opening ID: 286048
🗂️ Job Family: Human Rights Affairs
🏷️ Category and Level: Affiliate Personnel – Internships, I-1
👤 Recruitment Type: Intern
📍 Duty Station: Geneva
🏢 Department/Office: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
💻 Work Location: Geneva and/or Remote
🕒 Expected Duration: Three to six months
🗓️ Preferred Start: Between the first and second quarter of 2027
About the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
The United Nations Office of the 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
🚨 Early warning and protection of human rights in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity
Where You Would Work: The Anti-Racial Discrimination Section
Under the general guidance of a primary supervisor, the intern will be assigned to the Anti-Racial Discrimination Section (ARDS). The section is located in the Equality and Non-discrimination Branch (ENDB), based in Geneva, Switzerland.
What the Anti-Racial Discrimination Section Does
The section supports States, national human rights institutions, civil society and the United Nations system on implementing the UN's human rights standards and its core work to eliminate racial discrimination. This includes the implementation of international human rights standards and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
It undertakes capacity-building and the promotion, protection, prevention and monitoring of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance around the world.
Thematic Advice, Research and Secretariat Support
The section provides thematic advice and undertakes research on contemporary issues such as:
📢 Incitement to hatred and hate speech
🕊️ Religious intolerance
🧩 Multiple discrimination
🏗️ Systemic racism
It also provides secretariat support to the mandates of six mechanisms which focus on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
What Kind of Engagement Is This Internship?
This internship is an unpaid and full-time engagement that provides a framework through which individuals from diverse academic backgrounds gain exposure to the work of the United Nations by way of their service within Secretariat entities.
The Profile the United Nations Looks For
Applicants should have:
🔍 A demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations
📜 A personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter
🌐 The demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs
👂 Willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views
UN Recruitment Principles and Inclusion
At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs.
The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. It recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.
Reasonable Accommodation for Applicants With Disabilities
Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.
Who Is Eligible? The Academic Requirements
To qualify for the United Nations Secretariat internship programme, applicants must, at the time of submission, meet one of the following:
🎓 Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (a Master's degree or equivalent degree, or higher)
📚 Be enrolled in, or have completed the final academic year of, a first-level university degree programme (a Bachelor's degree or equivalent degree)
The preferred area of study is law, political science, international relations, social sciences or a related field.
Is Work Experience Required?
No. Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.
Languages for the Internship
🏛️ English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
🇬🇧 For this internship, fluency in spoken and written English is required.
➕ Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an asset (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
Is the OHCHR Internship Paid?
No. 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. To understand how different internships abroad are funded, see our guide to paid internships abroad for students.
Visas and Work Authorization
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.
The UN Never Charges a Recruitment 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. Before applying anywhere, you can also check how we verify opportunities and spot scam red flags.
You can browse more internship and traineeship opportunities on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the OHCHR Anti-Racial Discrimination Section internship paid?
No. Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions.
Can I do this internship remotely?
The work location is listed as Geneva and/or remote. The duty station is Geneva, Switzerland.
How long does the internship last?
The expected duration is three to six months. The preferred start is between the first and second quarter of 2027.
Is this a full-time internship?
Yes. The job opening describes the internship as an unpaid and full-time engagement.
Which section will the intern join?
The intern will be assigned to the Anti-Racial Discrimination Section (ARDS), located in the Equality and Non-discrimination Branch (ENDB) of OHCHR in Geneva, under the general guidance of a primary supervisor.
Which fields of study fit this internship?
The preferred areas are law, political science, international relations, social sciences or a related field. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.
Do I need professional work experience?
No. Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme.
Which languages do I need?
Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.
Do I need a visa?
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.
Does the UN charge an application fee?
No. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.
Deadline
⏳ 22 October 2026
Link
🔗 Apply Now: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/286048?language=en
