International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) Paid Internship Programme in Geneva, Switzerland 2026.
International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) Paid Internship Programme in Geneva, Switzerland 2026.
ISHR is an independent, non-profit organisation with offices in Geneva and New York.
This internship provides a unique opportunity to observe the United Nations human rights system in action in Geneva.
It provides hands-on experience working for an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) as well as the opportunity to contribute to our work supporting human rights defenders, strengthening human rights systems, building and leading human rights coalitions, and responding to significant and systemic human rights concerns.
Interns contribute directly to ISHR’s mission of supporting human rights defenders, strengthening human rights systems, building global coalitions, and responding to systemic human rights challenges.
ISHR internships combine meaningful responsibility with professional development.
Interns are fully integrated into the organisation and actively participate in ongoing projects and advocacy work.
Summary of the Internship Opportunity
- Position: Full-time Advocacy Programme Intern (in person)
- Location: Geneva, Switzerland
- Internship Period: 02 March 2026 – 31 July 2026
- Application Deadline: 26 January 2026 (midnight, Geneva time)
Interns benefit and Stipend
- Internships will be compensated with:
- a stipend of CHF700/month.
- 25 annual vacation days per calendar year, pro-rated based on start/departure date (11,5 days for six months).
- 11 holidays per year, including the Friday after Ascension Day, and the Friday after Jeûne genevois.
- Full participation in staff meetings and programme activities
- Exposure to the work of an international human rights NGO
- Opportunities to interact with human rights defenders, diplomats, UN officials, and NGO professionals
Key Responsibilities
- Assisting with ISHR’s training and advocacy support to human rights defenders and networks globally;
- Supporting the organisation of training and capacity-building activities online and in-person with human rights defenders;
- Providing support to the key programme staff in the implementation of project activities across ISHR’s strategic programme areas;
- Reviewing and providing inputs to relevant ISHR reports, handbook for research, related to specific human rights issues, contexts, and UN mechanisms;
- Monitoring and reporting on UN and regional human rights meetings, including the UN Human Rights Council, Treaty Body sessions, and Universal Periodic Review;
- Analysing and combining decisions, outputs of the regional human rights mechanisms such as the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Interamerican Commission on Human Rights (training provided);
- Researching and compiling texts, UN resolutions, laws, or reports on specific human rights topics to supplement ISHR research and advocacy;
- Contributing to ISHR’s outreach and communications, including regular online publications, as well as supporting thematic side-events organisation.
Requirements
To be considered, applicants should:
- Be an advanced undergraduate student or graduate student in international relations, law, international public law, human rights, or a related field;
- be motivated to pursue a career in human rights and have a particular interest in the UN and regional human rights systems;
- have an excellent level of written and spoken English & Spanish;
- be detail-oriented and attentive to nuance, particularly in diplomatic environments;
- be motivated, autonomous, and a self-starter, and comfortable occasionally working with limited supervision;
- Be able to sometimes work towards tight deadlines and prioritize, along with the supervisor.
- be able to work as a member of an international and multicultural team and be willing to participate in a variety of tasks, as required.
- If working remotely, be able to be autonomous in the management of tasks and use new technologies and computer tools.
Desirable skills
- Interest or background, including activism in corporate accountability, land rights, and the environment
- Legal drafting and research, including on treaty body jurisprudence;
- Interest or background in training/capacity building, including online learning, logistics, travel, and event planning.
Compensation & Legal Requirements
- Internships are paid, with a stipend provided either by ISHR or a third party
- For Geneva-based internships, a tripartite internship agreement (between ISHR, the intern, and a teaching institution or third party) is required in accordance with the Canton of Geneva labour law
- This requirement does not apply to internships based in New York
Commitment to Diversity and Equal Opportunity
- ISHR is strongly committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discriminatory recruitment practices.
- Applications are welcomed from all qualified candidates, regardless of race, colour, nationality, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, sex characteristics, socio-economic background, or any other status protected by law.
ISHR particularly encourages applications from historically and systematically marginalised groups, including women, persons of colour, LGBTIQ+ persons, and persons with disabilities.
How to Apply.
Interested candidates should apply by sending
- a cover letter,
- a CV (no profile picture)
- and a writing sample (academic or professional) here.
In your cover letter, candidates should demonstrate their commitment to human rights and social change.
Application deadline: 26 January 2026 (midnight, Geneva time). Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Please kindly note that due to the high volume of applications, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
