The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is looking for interns to join its Innovation and Analytics Hub in Geneva, Switzerland, for 3 to 6 months with a flexible start date. Students and graduates can apply until 30 December 2026, and the internship is not financially remunerated.
At Youth Works Hub, we went through the full vacancy and set out each workstream, requirement, cost and application detail below. You can browse more internships on Youth Works Hub as well.
OHCHR Innovation and Analytics Hub Internship at a Glance
🏛️ Office: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
💡 Team: Innovation and Analytics Hub
🆔 Job Opening ID: 279794
🧑 Category and level: Affiliate Personnel, Internships, I-1
📂 Job family: Human Rights Affairs
👥 Recruitment type: Candidate Pool, Intern
📍 Work location: Geneva, remote
🗓️ Expected duration: 3 to 6 months, flexible start date
🧭 Workstreams: four, and you are assigned to at least one
🎓 Who: students and graduates meeting the UN Internship Programme requirements
🗣️ Language: fluent English, oral and written
🧾 Remuneration: interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations
📅 Closing date: 30 December 2026
The UN's First Dedicated Centre for Innovation and Analytics in Human Rights
Reporting directly to the High Commissioner, the Innovation and Analytics Hub is the United Nations' first dedicated centre for innovation and analytics in the field of human rights.
The Hub serves as OHCHR's Centre of Excellence, advancing the Secretary-General's "Quintet of Change": Data, Digital, Innovation, Foresight and Behavioral Science. It brings together expertise, ideas and digital solutions to strengthen the Organization's analytical and operational capacities.
The Hub harnesses advanced data analytics and emerging technologies to detect and interpret human rights trends, support early warning and foresight, and inform preventive and evidence-based action. It also develops next-generation digital tools to enhance the coherence, efficiency and impact of OHCHR and the wider human rights system globally.
What It Means to Be an Intern in the Hub
Interns report to full-time professional staff and work as full members of the team. They pursue projects designed to create lasting impact, while gaining valuable insights into the broader work of the UN System.
As an intern, you will be assigned to at least one of the following four workstreams: Strategic Coordination and Planning, Digital Transformation and AI, Data and Analytics, and Human Rights Risk Analysis and Early Warning.
Workstream 1: Strategic Coordination and Planning
If you join this workstream, you will:
🤝 Contribute to the organization and facilitation of strategic planning meetings, outreach initiatives and training workshops
📽️ Contribute to the creation of analytics products, slide decks and background papers
🔍 Assist in the monitoring and analysis of strategic initiatives and their implementation across the Office
🌱 Support the organization-wide innovation Community of Practice, communications and campaign management
📇 Support resource mobilization through donor research, contact management and drafting meeting notes
📚 Relevant fields of study: Political Science, Communication, Business Management, Public Administration, or related fields
🎨 Desirable skills: strong organizational and coordination skills, analytical thinking, excellent written and verbal communication, experience with visual design, and attention to detail
Workstream 2: Digital Transformation and AI
If you join this workstream, you will:
🚀 Contribute to the planning, design and execution of digital transformation initiatives
🛠️ Assist in the development and deployment of data analytics tools and platforms
🤖 Support the integration of emerging technologies into existing workflows and systems
🖥️ Provide technical support and training on digital tools and platforms
💻 Relevant fields of study: Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Science, or related fields
⚙️ Desirable skills: interest in emerging technologies, innovation and digital transformation, familiarity with digital tools, and experience in data analysis
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Workstream 3: Data and Analytics
If you join this workstream, you will:
📥 Contribute to the collection, compilation and verification of data from field presences
📈 Develop analytical products, including dashboards, visualizations and data-driven insights
🌐 Contribute to the development and production of global human rights indicators, including SDG indicators
📤 Support the dissemination of innovative tools and best practices to field presences
🗃️ Provide support on information and data management to colleagues at headquarters and in the field
🔢 Relevant fields of study: Data Science, Statistics, Social Sciences, Economics, International Development, Geography, or related fields
📉 Desirable skills: experience in data processing and analysis, familiarity with data management and visualization tools, and experience in applying statistical or econometric methods
Workstream 4: Human Rights Risk Analysis and Early Warning
If you join this workstream, you will:
🚨 Contribute to the monitoring, analysis and reporting on emerging human rights risks and protracted crisis situations
📝 Support the preparation of specialized human rights reports and documentation, including drafting background materials, daily updates and enhanced monitoring inputs
📰 Conduct daily media and open-source monitoring, identify potential human rights concerns and coordinate internally
⚠️ Support the development of human rights risk assessments and early warning analysis
⚖️ Relevant fields of study: International Relations, Law, Political Science, Social Sciences, or related fields
📜 Skills: solid knowledge of human rights principles and international human rights mechanisms and excellent drafting skills, while previous experience in human rights and demonstrated proficiency in report-drafting based on diverse data sources are desirable
In Person, Remote or Part-Time?
OHCHR encourages candidates who can ideally commit to a full-time, in-person internship for a minimum of three months, extendable up to six months.
Depending on individual circumstances, remote and/or part-time arrangements may be considered. The exception is the Human Rights Risk Analysis and Early Warning workstream, where the internship is strictly full-time and in-person.
Academic Requirements for the UN Internship Programme
At the time of application, you must meet one of the following requirements:
🏫 Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree, equivalent or higher, such as a master's degree or equivalent, Ph.D. or post-graduate degree)
🏅 Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's level or equivalent)
If you are selected, you must commence the internship on the date specified in the Acceptance letter.
How Much Experience Do You Need?
Most interns have prior internships or a year or two of full-time work experience, but this is not formally required for participation in the UN Internship Programme. In your application, you are asked to say in which workstream you have experience, whether outside or within your study programme.
Language Requirements
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
🔤 Required: fluency in English, both oral and written
🌏 Desirable: knowledge of another United Nations official language, such as French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish
Costs, Visa and Living Arrangements
Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Candidates for the in-person programme are required to cover, for the duration of the internship:
✈️ Travel
🛂 Visa
🏠 Accommodation
🩺 Health insurance
🍽️ Other living expenses
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.
What to Include in Your Application
Applications are submitted through the UN's online application system. In your application, make sure you specify:
📆 Your period of availability
🧷 The workstream or workstreams you are interested in
📋 The workstream in which you have experience, outside or within your study programme
🔖 Your skills and experience
The United Nations Does Not Charge a Fee
The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, whether application, interview meeting, processing or training. It does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.
Planning Your Next Step in the UN System
If you are weighing your options, our guide to the difference between a fellowship, an internship and a traineeship explains what each one involves. For a longer-term route, Youth Works Hub also explains who can apply to the UN Junior Professional Officer Programme and how it works.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the OHCHR Innovation and Analytics Hub?
It is the United Nations' first dedicated centre for innovation and analytics in the field of human rights, reporting directly to the High Commissioner. It serves as OHCHR's Centre of Excellence and uses advanced data analytics and emerging technologies to support early warning, foresight and evidence-based action.
How long does the internship last?
The expected duration is 3 to 6 months with a flexible start date. OHCHR encourages a minimum commitment of three months, extendable up to six months.
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.
Can I do this internship remotely or part-time?
Remote and/or part-time arrangements may be considered depending on individual circumstances, although OHCHR ideally looks for full-time, in-person interns. The Human Rights Risk Analysis and Early Warning workstream is strictly full-time and in-person.
Which workstreams can I apply for?
You can indicate interest in Strategic Coordination and Planning, Digital Transformation and AI, Data and Analytics, or Human Rights Risk Analysis and Early Warning. Interns are assigned to at least one of these workstreams.
What degree level do I need?
You must be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme, or the final academic year of a first university degree programme at minimum bachelor's level or equivalent. You need to meet one of these requirements at the time of application.
Do I need work experience to apply?
Prior experience is not formally required for participation in the UN Internship Programme. The vacancy notes that most interns have prior internships or a year or two of full-time work experience.
What languages do I need?
Fluency in English, both oral and written, is required for this internship. Knowledge of another United Nations official language, such as French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish, is desirable.
Will I need a visa for Switzerland?
Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship takes place may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the offer.
What must I mention in my application?
You should specify your period of availability, the workstream or workstreams you are interested in, the workstream in which you have experience, and your skills and experience. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
Deadline
⏳ 30 December 2026
Links
Official vacancy page: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/279794?language=en
