The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is hiring a Talent Attraction and Outreach Intern to join its Human Resources Management Section in Geneva, Switzerland. This is a three-to-six-month internship at the United Nations' leading office dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights worldwide. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed this position and found it ideal for students or recent graduates with an interest in human resources, talent acquisition, employer branding, and international organisations.
About OHCHR: The UN's Leading Human Rights Office
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights) is the leading UN entity on human rights. It represents the world's commitment to the promotion and protection of the full range of human rights and freedoms set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Both the High Commissioner and the Office carry a unique mandate:
🛡️ Promote and protect all human rights: OHCHR speaks out objectively in the face of human rights violations and helps elaborate the standards used to evaluate human rights progress worldwide.
🎓 Help empower people: Through research, education, and advocacy activities, OHCHR contributes to increased awareness and engagement by the international community and the public on human rights issues, empowering thousands of people in all regions of the world to claim their rights.
🤝 Assist Governments: Through its field presences, OHCHR helps prevent abuses and contributes to defusing situations that could lead to conflict. Its monitoring and analysis supports decision-making and development programming. OHCHR also provides capacity-building and legal advice to thousands, supporting the development and enactment of laws and policies worldwide.
🌐 Inject a human rights perspective into all UN programmes: OHCHR mainstreams human rights into all UN programmes to ensure that peace and security, development, and human rights (the three pillars of the UN) are interlinked and mutually reinforced.
Your Host Section: HR Management and the Recruitment Unit
The Programme Support and Management Service (PSMS) delivers comprehensive administrative support within OHCHR and is responsible for overseeing and managing the financial, human, and physical resources that support delivery of the human rights mandate.
Within PSMS, the Human Resources Management Section (HRMS) serves as a strategic partner in advancing OHCHR's global mandate by delivering effective, people-centered human resources services.
The Recruitment Unit within HRMS offers comprehensive support and guidance for filling staff positions, whether temporary or long-term. The team is currently developing a strategy for talent attraction, sourcing, and outreach to reach diverse candidate pools. This includes identifying and engaging qualified candidates to meet organisational staffing needs.
As an intern, you will report directly to the Associate Human Resources Officer.
What You Will Do: Talent Attraction and Outreach Tasks
🔍 Support talent sourcing and outreach activities across various platforms and databases
🌍 Assist in attracting diverse candidate pools through outreach and engagement initiatives
📋 Assist in maintaining candidate pipelines or rosters
🏷️ Contribute to employer branding and talent attraction strategies
🤝 Support colleagues in other recruitment-related initiatives
📌 Perform related tasks as required
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Who Can Apply: Academic Eligibility
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
🎓 Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher)
🏫 Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's degree or equivalent)
No professional work experience is required to apply for this internship. However, a field of study closely related to the type of internship is required: a background in human resources, public administration, communications, international relations, or a related discipline is expected.
Applicants should indicate in their application which eligibility criterion they meet and attach proof. An official certificate confirming enrolment or completion will be required at a later stage.
Skills and Technical Requirements
🖥️ Good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Office Suite
🎨 Ability to use creative tools such as Canva, Adobe Photoshop, or other relevant design software is desirable
📱 Ability to draft and design social media posts is desirable
💬 Good communication and interpersonal skills
🤝 Ability to work collaboratively in multicultural teams
🌐 Ability to engage with diverse internal and external stakeholders
Language Requirements
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 an additional official UN language is an advantage
The six official languages of the United Nations are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.
Work Location and Duration
📍 Duty station: Geneva, Switzerland
🏠 Work location: Flexible
⏱️ Expected duration: Three to six months
Financial Arrangements
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.
Candidates interested in learning more about how internship funding works in international organisations can read about paid internships abroad on Youth Works Hub.
Visa and Work Authorisation
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 or employment authorisation. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the OHCHR internship in Geneva paid?
No. Interns at OHCHR are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. All costs related to travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of the intern or their sponsoring institution.
Do I need professional work experience to apply?
No. Professional work experience is not required. Applicants must be enrolled in or have recently completed a relevant degree programme, and a field of study related to the type of internship is required.
What academic qualifications are needed for this OHCHR internship?
You must meet one of two criteria: be enrolled in or have completed a graduate programme (master's or PhD level), or be enrolled in or have completed the final year of a bachelor's degree programme. An official certificate confirming your status will be required at a later stage of the selection process.
What language skills are required?
Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of one additional official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is considered an advantage.
Where is this internship located?
The duty station is Geneva, Switzerland, with the work location listed as flexible. Candidates should confirm specific working arrangements with OHCHR after selection.
How long is the OHCHR Talent Attraction and Outreach internship?
The expected duration is three to six months.
What tools and design skills are useful for this role?
Proficiency in MS Office Suite is required. Experience with creative tools such as Canva or Adobe Photoshop is desirable, as is the ability to draft and design social media posts. Strong communication skills and experience working in multicultural settings are also valued.
Are there any fees to apply to UN internships?
No. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, meeting, processing, or training.
Deadline
⏳ 07 November 2026
Link
https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/286702?language=en
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