Date : 2020.02.28

IMADR is looking for a full-time intern for the period of three months starting in June 2020.

Aim: The aim of our internship programme is to provide a human rights activist or student committed to working on human rights issues, in particular combating racism and racial discrimination, with on-the-job training to familiarise herself/himself with the UN human rights mechanisms. Through the internship, the intern will be involved in the work of IMADR at the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) and the Human Rights Council. The Geneva office is a small office with one full-time staff member, therefore the intern will have an opportunity to carry out responsible work.

Period: 8 June to 4 September 2020 (dates negotiable)

Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Role: Assisting the Geneva office at the 44th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC, 15 June – 3 July), and the 102nd session of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD, 5 – 27 August).

Duties:

1. Assisting human rights defenders in advocacy at the UN human rights system.
2. Taking notes during the CERD and HRC sessions including meetings and side-events.
3. Assisting in organising side-events at the HRC session.
4. Preparing news items and advocacy tools, i.e. oral statements and written submissions.
5. Assisting in admin work/basic documentation.

Qualifications:

Essential

• Bachelors or Master’s degree in human rights, law, international relations or relevant areas.
• Strong communications skills in English.
• Good team-working and research skills.
• Ability to work in a busy environment and meet deadlines.
• Strong computer skills (Microsoft Office and internet).
• Interest and knowledge of issues relating to racial discrimination, i.e. minority rights, indigenous rights, human rights of migrants, multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, discrimination based on work and descent.

Desirable

• Knowledge of French or Spanish.
• Knowledge of the UN human rights mechanisms, in particular the Human Rights Council and treaty bodies.
• Experience of working in the NGO environment.

Financial and other forms of assistance: IMADR is currently not in a position to remunerate this internship or apply for a visa. Although we do not provide any kind of accommodation coverage, our office can help finding lodging in Geneva upon request. Expenses for monthly transportation within Geneva and lunch will be covered. The intern must be able to commit for a minimum of 35 hours per week for 3 months, be a Swiss/ EU national or hold a valid permit which allows staying and undertaking internship in Switzerland.

How to apply:

Applicants must submit their CV, a cover letter with a short English writing sample not edited by others to Taisuke Komatsu (Mr.), geneva[@]imadr.org (remove “[]” when sending your application) . Please use “UN Advocacy Internship” in the subject line of your e-mail. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Deadline: Applications should be submitted via email by 23 March 2020. Interviews will take place between 30 March and 3 April at the Geneva office or via Skype.