The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is opening full-time Special Procedures internships in Geneva, Switzerland, for an initial three months, renewable for a combined period of six months. Applications close on 30 December 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full job opening, and every branch, duty and condition is set out below.
Key Facts About Job Opening 271235
📌 Position: Intern, Special Procedures
🆔 Job Opening ID: 271235
🗂️ Job family: Human Rights Affairs
🏛️ Department/Office: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
🧭 Division: Thematic and Special Procedures Division
📍 Duty station and work location: Geneva, Switzerland
🏷️ Category and level: Affiliate Personnel, Internships, I-1
🪪 Recruitment type: Candidate Pool, Intern
⏱️ Expected duration: an initial three months, renewable for a combined period of six months
What OHCHR Is Responsible For
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
How the Special Procedures Work
This announcement broadcasts international internship assignments with Special Procedures Sections in the Thematic and Special Procedures Division. The Special Procedures are responsible for:
🔬 Thematic research and policy development
🌐 Human rights mainstreaming across all work areas of the United Nations system
🧰 Development of tools and learning packages
💡 Provision of expertise to a variety of stakeholders on a wide range of human rights themes
They support mandate holders appointed by the Human Rights Council, namely Special Rapporteurs, Working Groups or Independent Experts, to report and advise on human rights from a thematic perspective. The Division comprises three Branches, described in the sections that follow.
Equality and Non-Discrimination Branch (END)
END supports a group of independent human rights experts, also referred to as mandate holders, appointed by the Human Rights Council to report and advise on thematic human rights issues. It covers 11 special procedure mandates:
🔖 Sexual orientation and gender identity
🛟 Violence against women and girls
👩 Discrimination against women and girls
📘 People of African descent
🛑 Racism
👥 Minorities
🏞️ Indigenous peoples
♿ Persons with disabilities
🧒 Sale of children
🕊️ Religion or belief
🧓 Older persons
Rule of Law, Accountability and Civic Space, Section RACS I
The Rule of Law, Accountability and Civic Space Branch (RACS) also supports independent mandate holders appointed by the Human Rights Council. Section RACS I covers 10 special procedure mandates:
🔒 Arbitrary detention
🔎 Enforced disappearances
🛡️ Countering terrorism
📕 Torture
❗ Summary executions
🏦 Independence of judges and lawyers
💬 Truth
⛓️ Slavery
🚷 Trafficking in persons
🗺️ International order
Rule of Law, Accountability and Civic Space, Section RACS II
Section RACS II covers eight special procedure mandates:
🪧 Freedom of assembly and association
📣 Freedom of opinion or expression
🏅 Human rights defenders
🏢 Business and human rights
🔐 Privacy
🪖 Mercenarism
🧳 Migrants
⛺ Internally displaced persons
Development, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Section DESC I
The Development, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Branch (DESC) supports independent mandate holders appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council on thematic human rights issues. Section DESC I covers nine special procedure mandates:
💧 Water and sanitation
🍞 Food
🏠 Housing
🩺 Right to health
📚 Right to education
🌾 Peasants
🏥 Leprosy
☀️ Albinism
🎭 Cultural rights
Development, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Section DESC II
Section DESC II covers eight special procedure mandates:
🌱 Right to development
🤲 Solidarity
🚧 Unilateral coercive measures
🏧 Foreign debt
🪙 Poverty
☣️ Toxics
🌳 Environment
🌡️ Climate change
The Coordination Information and Communications Unit
Alongside the three Branches, this Unit supports the Special Procedures system as a whole, in particular its Coordination Committee. Its work is to:
🧩 Facilitate and ensure coordination and coherence in the implementation of the working methods of the Special Procedures, the Manual of Operations and the Code of Conduct
📨 Support the communications process of the Special Procedures
🪢 Coordinate their engagement with the intergovernmental bodies and their increased engagement with the UN system at headquarters and in the field
🔭 Enhance the visibility and impact of the work of the Special Procedures
More on the Special Procedures, including an overview of the different themes covered, is available through the OHCHR page in the Links section at the end of this post.
Who the Intern Reports To
👤 Overall direction: Chief of Special Procedures
👔 Guidance: the respective Chief of Section
📋 Direct reporting line: the Human Rights Officer in the assigned work unit
Length of the Assignment
🗓️ This is a full-time assignment, offered for an initial period of three (3) months
🔁 It is renewable for a combined period of six (6) months, upon further approval by the supervisor
The Intern's Contribution to the OHCHR Mission
The intern supports OHCHR in fulfilling its mission to:
🎯 Work for the protection of all human rights for all people
💪 Help empower people to realize their rights
🧱 Assist those responsible for upholding such rights in ensuring that they are implemented
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Daily Work in a Special Procedures Unit
Daily responsibilities depend on the activities of the assigned work unit and the individual's background. Duties may include, but are not limited to, contributing to thematic reports or studies, including research of related literature, international law and jurisprudence. In particular, the intern may:
🛫 Assist in the preparation of official country visits, in particular through the drafting of country specific human rights assessments
🧐 Analyze human rights issues contained in cases and complaints addressed to the mandate holders
✉️ Draft letters on particular cases and complaints taken up by mandate holders, including summarizing the alleged human rights violations and preparing a short legal analysis of these violations
🗒️ Collect information and conduct research for the preparation of briefing notes, statements and other documents
🖊️ Take notes of meetings with different stakeholders, in particular civil society representatives
🪑 Attend sessions of the Human Rights Council and assist with the preparation of related activities and events
📅 Assist in the organization of meetings and seminars
🔤 Translate documents
➕ Perform other related duties as requested by the supervisor, as appropriate
Academic Conditions for the UN Secretariat Internship Programme
To qualify, applicants must, at the time of submission, meet one of the following conditions:
🎓 Be a graduate of, or enrolled in, a graduate school programme (Master's degree or equivalent degree, or higher)
🏫 Be a graduate of, or enrolled in the final academic year of, a first-level university degree programme (Bachelor's degree or equivalent degree)
🏁 Have graduated with a university degree as defined above and, if selected, commence the internship on the date specified in the Acceptance letter
📖 Preferred fields of study are law, political science, international relations, social sciences or a related field.
If you are comparing this kind of placement with other routes, our guide on the difference between a fellowship, an internship and a traineeship explains what each one involves.
Is Work Experience Needed?
✅ No. Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme.
English, French and Other UN Languages
🗣️ Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship
🎙️ English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat
➿ Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage
🔠 The official languages of the United Nations Secretariat are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish
Competency One: Professionalism
⭐ Shows pride in work and in achievements
🥇 Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter
⏰ Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results
🧠 Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns
🧗 Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges
🧘 Remains calm in stressful situations
Competency Two: Communication
🖋️ Speaks and writes clearly and effectively
👂 Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately
❓ Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication
🎨 Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience
📤 Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed
Competency Three: Teamwork
🙌 Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals
🎧 Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise
🪴 Is willing to learn from others
🚣 Places team agenda before personal agenda
☑️ Supports and acts in accordance with the final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect their own position
🎖️ Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings
Competency Four: Client Orientation
👁️ Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients" and seeks to see things from their point of view
🌉 Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect
🧪 Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions
📡 Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems
📢 Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects
🕰️ Meets timelines for delivery of products or services to clients
Pay, Living Costs and Visa Conditions
💶 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
The United Nations Charges No Recruitment Fee
🆓 The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview meeting, processing or training
🙅 The United Nations does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts
Who This Placement Suits
According to Youth Works Hub's review of the job opening, this placement suits final-year bachelor's students, graduate students and graduates in law, political science, international relations or social sciences who want hands-on exposure to thematic human rights work and the mandate holders of the Human Rights Council. Readers looking at longer-term UN pathways can also read our guide to the UN Junior Professional Officer Programme. Find more placements like this one in the Internship and Traineeship section of Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Special Procedures intern do at OHCHR in Geneva?
Daily tasks depend on the assigned work unit and the intern's background. They may include contributing to thematic reports, drafting country specific human rights assessments, analyzing cases and complaints, and drafting letters with a short legal analysis of alleged violations.
Which Branches can host OHCHR Special Procedures interns?
The Thematic and Special Procedures Division comprises the Equality and Non-Discrimination Branch, the Rule of Law, Accountability and Civic Space Branch, and the Development, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Branch. A Coordination Information and Communications Unit supports the Special Procedures system as a whole.
How long is the OHCHR Special Procedures internship?
It is a full-time assignment offered for an initial period of three months. It is renewable for a combined period of six months, upon further approval by the supervisor.
What degree do I need to apply?
Applicants must, at the time of submission, be a graduate of or enrolled in a Master's level programme or higher, or a graduate of or in the final academic year of a Bachelor's level programme. Candidates who have graduated with such a degree must, if selected, commence the internship on the date specified in the Acceptance letter. Law, political science, international relations, social sciences or a related field are preferred.
Do I need professional experience for this OHCHR internship?
No, applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the programme.
Which languages are required?
Fluency in spoken and written English is required for the internship. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage.
Is the OHCHR internship in Geneva 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.
Will I need a visa for the internship in Switzerland?
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.
Will I attend sessions of the Human Rights Council?
Interns may attend sessions of the Human Rights Council and assist with the preparation of related activities and events. Exact duties depend on the assigned work unit.
Does the United Nations charge an application fee?
No, the United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview meeting, processing or training.
Deadline
⏳ 30 December 2026
Links
🔗 Job opening: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/271235?language=en
ℹ️ OHCHR Special Procedures: https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures-human-rights-council
