Human Rights Intern

About CIVICUS

CIVICUS exists to defend people power. As a growing global alliance of over 15000 members in over 185 countries, CIVICUS work together to monitor violations of basic civic freedoms, call out the perpetrators of violations and strengthen the power of people to organize by supporting a more accountable, effective and innovative civil society. CIVICUS strives to promote excluded voices, especially from the Global South.

About the Role

CIVICUS is looking for a Human Rights Intern to assist the implementation of CIVICUS’s advocacy priorities at the UN in Geneva. The Human Rights Intern role will contribute to background research on human rights issues and civil society participation issues, member support activities, event coordination and logistics, and communication.

Role Overview:

The role holder is responsible, under the supervision of the UN Advisor and the UN Advocacy and Network Officer, for assisting in the implementation of CIVICUS advocacy priorities in the context of CIVICUS’s work with UN human rights mechanisms. The role will also contribute to network engagement and member support activities, event coordination and logistics, and research related to human rights.

Areas of Responsibilities & Key Activities

UN Advocacy and member support

• Assist CIVICUS’ engagement with the UN Human Rights Council and other human rights bodies.
• Support the development of advocacy plans, statements and speaking points.
• Support CIVICUS’ members, partners and human rights defenders during their advocacy missions, including providing logistical arrangements.

Event coordination and communication

• Support in the organisation of events as appropriate including logistical arrangements.
• Assist the communications team in rolling out timely and effective communication materials.

Research

• Assist in human rights and civic space related research including drafting of briefs and summaries.

Administration

• Support administrative activities related to office and file management.

Other

• The role holder will from time to time be required to carry out any other duties related to the scope of work.

Person Specification

Education, Language & Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree or preferably Master’s Degree in international relations, law, politics, or relevant social sciences from a reputable university.
• At least 6 months of relevant work experience in an international policy development or advocacy environment.

Essential Knowledge, skills and Experience

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Excellent IT skills, including experience with MS Office.
• Good understanding of international relations and policy making.
• Good understanding of the civil society landscape and global politics.
• Ability to work in a team and network at with a broad range of external stakeholders from different cultural backgrounds.

Desirable Knowledge, skills and Experience

• Other languages beneficial, Spanish or French an asset
• Based in Europe and willingness to travel to Geneva 1-2 times during the internship if required (March 2027 and June 2027)

Please click here for a full Job Description

How to apply

The closing date for applications is 15 November 2026 at 11:59 p.m. SAST. The successful candidate will be expected to commence employment in mid-January or on 1 February 2027. Interviews will be conducted in December 2026.

Interested candidates should click here to apply.

Application instructions:

• Applicants are advised not to use autofill when completing the application form for this job. To avoid errors, please fill out the form manually without using autofill.
• AI-generated CVs/resumes and cover letters are not permitted. All application materials must be written by the applicant and accurately reflect the applicant’s skills, qualifications, and experience. Applications that contain AI-generated materials will not be considered.

Your application should comprise of:

• A full CV, including educational and professional qualifications, a full employment history showing the more significant positions, responsibilities held, and relevant achievements
• A cover note of not more than one page outlining your motivation for applying for the role.

NB: We appreciate and consider each application submitted. However, given the large volume of applications received, we find it impossible to respond to each applicant immediately. You will hear from us within three weeks only if you’re shortlisted for the next steps. We will update all applicants once the position has been filled.

CIVICUS reserves the right to withdraw any of our vacancies at any time.