Human Rights Watch (HRW) is looking for a Development & Outreach Department Intern for its Berlin office in Germany. The three-month, full-time internship runs up to 35 hours per week, pays a gross monthly stipend of EUR 556, ideally covers mid-January 2027 through mid-April 2027, and applications close on 01 November 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we went through the full call and put every task, condition and required document in one place below.
The Berlin Internship at a Glance
๐ Position: Development & Outreach Department Intern
๐๏ธ Organization: Human Rights Watch (HRW)
๐งฉ Department: Development & Outreach Department
๐ Location: Berlin, Germany
๐ Duration: Three months
๐ Ideal availability: Mid-January 2027 through mid-April 2027
๐ Working time: Full-time, maximum 35 hours per week
๐ถ Stipend: Gross EUR 556 per month
๐ Status required: Enrolled student with a mandatory internship (Pflichtpraktikum)
๐ฃ๏ธ Languages: German and English
๐ Application documents: CV, cover letter in English, writing sample in German
๐ Work authorization: Valid in Germany for the whole internship
โณ Deadline: 01 November 2026
A Fundraising Internship Inside a Large International Non-Profit
The call describes the internship as best suited to people interested in gaining development and fundraising experience in a large international non-profit organization. The intern will gain knowledge and skills in:
๐ช Event planning
๐๏ธ Database management
๐คฒ Donor relations
โ๏ธ HRW's priority human rights issues
To make the placement valuable and well-rounded, interns attend planning and department meetings with staff and can use in-house trainings and briefings.
The Voices for Justice Dinner on 12 March 2027
The internship focuses on event planning in the lead-up to HRW's biggest fundraising event of the year: HRW Berlin's 2027 Voices for Justice Dinner, taking place on Friday, 12 March 2027. Alongside the event work, the intern assists the team with its donor communications and outreach efforts.
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๐ All opportunities in Germany โ
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Responsibilities: Six Tasks Around Events and Donors
The call lists these specific tasks:
๐๏ธ Assisting the development team with event logistics and planning
โ๏ธ Drafting and editing documents and correspondence related to donor relations
๐จ Supporting the creation and editing of graphic design and event materials
๐๏ธ Collaborating with the team on operating, updating and maintaining documents and database records
๐ข Supporting the team in coordinating donor communication and outreach efforts, for the purpose of fundraising
๐งญ Other tasks may be assigned as they arise and when they match the intern's interests
Learning Beyond the Desk: Lectures, Trainings and the HRW Intern Network
HRW interns also get the chance to:
๐ค Attend online lectures
๐ง Join trainings
๐ ๏ธ Take part in professional development workshops
๐๏ธ Attend special events relating to human rights
๐ค Network with other HRW interns, volunteers and employees
As an HRW intern, students take the skills acquired in their studies and apply them in a professional setting.
Who Can Apply: Enrolled Students With a Compulsory Internship
The first condition is academic. Applicants must be enrolled students for the duration of the internship term, and preferably interns would be studying in Germany. The call adds that the internship must be a compulsory prerequisite from the university, in other words a mandatory internship in relation to their studies:
๐ Enrolment must cover the whole internship term
๐ You must be eligible for a Pflichtpraktikum
๐งพ You must submit a "Bescheinigung รผber ein Pflichtpraktikum" (certificate for a mandatory internship) before the start of the internship
๐ You must possess valid work authorization in Germany for the duration of the internship
The Profile HRW Is Looking For
๐๏ธ Well-organized, self-motivated, reliable, flexible and detail-oriented, with excellent time management skills
๐๏ธ Interest in fundraising, outreach and special events within a human rights context
๐ A demonstrated commitment to human rights and/or international issues
๐ฏ The ability to master and represent well the mission and program of HRW
๐ฃ๏ธ Excellent oral and written communication skills in both German and English
๐ป Computer skills, for example Microsoft Excel
๐ฅ Experience collaborating within a team is desirable
๐ข Frequent attendance in the office and for events is required
The Stipend and Academic Credit
The call explains that internship compensation varies by jurisdiction, based on local laws and HRW policy. For this placement:
๐ถ Interns based in Germany receive a gross monthly stipend of EUR 556 per month
๐ The stipend is meant to help offset living expenses, in accordance with HRW policy
๐ซ Students are often able to arrange academic credit, so check the requirements with your own academic institution
The call says the internship offers direct exposure to the workings of an international human rights organization, close supervision by HRW staff, and interaction with other international organizations and foreign and domestic government officials.
How to Apply
๐ฅ Apply immediately through HRW's online job portal
๐ Attach your CV/resume
โ๏ธ Attach a letter of interest/cover letter (in English)
๐ฉ๐ช Attach a brief (about 300 word) writing sample in German
๐ซ No calls or email inquiries, please
โ Only complete applications will be reviewed
๐ฌ Because of the large number of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted further
If You Have Technical Difficulties With the Form
๐ง HRW gives one email address only for technical difficulties with your application submission
๐ญ Application submissions via email will not be accepted
๐ค Inquiries regarding the status of applications will go unanswered
The address is in the Links section at the end of this page.
Diversity and Equal Opportunity at Human Rights Watch
๐ช Human Rights Watch is strong because it is diverse. The organization actively seeks a diverse applicant pool and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply
โ๏ธ HRW does not discriminate on the basis of disability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal record
๐ We welcome all kinds of diversity, the call states
๐ก Its employees include parents and nonparents, the self-taught and the university educated, and people from a wide span of socio-economic backgrounds and perspectives on the world
๐ Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer
About Human Rights Watch
๐ Human Rights Watch is an international human rights organization that monitors and advocates
๐ It is known for its in-depth investigations
๐๏ธ Its incisive and timely reporting
๐ฃ Its innovative and high-profile advocacy campaigns
๐๏ธ Its success in changing the human rights-related policies and practices of influential governments and international institutions
Is This Berlin Internship a Good Fit for You?
According to Youth Works Hub's review of the call, it suits a student who can say yes to all of these:
๐ You are an enrolled student through mid-January to mid-April 2027 and your studies include a mandatory internship
๐ You have valid work authorization in Germany
๐ฃ๏ธ You can write and speak German and English at a professional level
๐ You want hands-on work in event planning, donor relations and fundraising outreach
๐ You can work up to 35 hours a week in Berlin, with frequent attendance in the office and at events
If you are weighing this against other routes, our guide on how paid internships abroad work for students explains the difference between an employer-paid placement and a funded traineeship. You can also find more internship and traineeship openings on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the HRW Berlin Development & Outreach intern do?
The intern supports the development team with event logistics and planning, donor correspondence, graphic design and event materials, database records, and donor communication and outreach for fundraising. The main focus is the lead-up to HRW Berlin's 2027 Voices for Justice Dinner.
Is the Human Rights Watch internship in Berlin paid?
Yes. Interns based in Germany receive a gross monthly stipend of EUR 556 per month to help offset living expenses, in accordance with HRW policy.
How long is the internship and when does it start?
It is a three-month, full-time internship of up to 35 hours per week. Ideally, the candidate is available from mid-January 2027 through mid-April 2027.
When is the Voices for Justice Dinner?
HRW Berlin's 2027 Voices for Justice Dinner takes place on Friday, 12 March 2027. It is HRW's biggest fundraising event of the year, and the internship focuses on event planning in the lead-up to it.
Do I have to be a student to apply?
Yes. Applicants must be enrolled students for the duration of the internship term, and preferably studying in Germany. The internship must also be a compulsory part of their university studies.
What is a Pflichtpraktikum and do I need one?
A Pflichtpraktikum is a mandatory internship required by your studies. Interns must be eligible for one and must submit a "Bescheinigung รผber ein Pflichtpraktikum" before the internship starts.
Which languages do I need?
Excellent oral and written communication skills in both German and English are required. The application itself also includes a cover letter in English and a brief writing sample of about 300 words in German.
Do I need a work permit for Germany?
Applicants must possess valid work authorization in Germany for the duration of the internship. The call sets no nationality requirement beyond that.
What documents do I need to submit?
A CV/resume, a letter of interest/cover letter in English, and a brief writing sample of about 300 words in German, all attached through HRW's online job portal.
Can I apply or ask questions by email?
No. HRW asks for no calls or email inquiries, and application submissions via email will not be accepted. The email address in the call is only for technical difficulties with your application submission.
What happens after I apply?
Only complete applications will be reviewed, and because of the large number of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted further.
Deadline
โณ 01 November 2026
Links
๐ Application (Development & Outreach Department Intern): https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/humanrightswatch/jobs/8889167002
๐ Human Rights Watch online job portal: https://careers.hrw.org
๐ ๏ธ Technical difficulties with your application submission only: internships@hrw.org
