Human Rights Intern

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

Nairobiinternship09h ago

Quick Take

The Role

Monitor human rights trends across East Africa, research and draft reports, support UN mechanisms, and help organize stakeholder engagement events.

You Need

Final-year or recent graduate in law/human rights/international relations with strong research and writing skills, fluent English, and demonstrated commitment to UN human rights principles.

You Get

Prestigious UN experience, direct exposure to international human rights work, networking with global mechanisms, and credentials that open doors in human rights careers — but unpaid.

Job Description

•Role Overview

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is inviting applications for a six-month, full-time internship at its East Africa Multi-Country Office (MCO) based in Nairobi, Kenya. This is a unique opportunity for students and recent graduates who are passionate about human rights, international law, and the work of the United Nations to gain hands-on exposure within one of the world's most respected human rights bodies.

Please note that this is an unpaid internship. Interns are expected to commit fully to the role and will report to the Deputy Head of the MCO, working under the overall coordination of the Head of Office. The intern will support the MCO's mandate to protect human rights, empower rights-holders, and assist duty-bearers across multiple countries in East Africa.

•Key Responsibilities

Monitor and analyze human rights developments and trends — including economic, social, and cultural rights — across countries covered by the MCO.
Research and draft internal briefing notes, external reports, and thematic papers within assigned areas.
Prepare daily news summaries on the human rights situation in MCO-covered countries.
Support dissemination of international human rights standards and OHCHR activities via social media platforms.
Facilitate stakeholder engagement with UN human rights mechanisms, including Special Procedures mandate holders and Treaty Bodies.
Assist with integrating human rights perspectives into national and regional development policies, plans, and strategies.
Help organize workshops, seminars, meetings, and events as directed by supervisors.
Attend meetings and conferences, taking accurate notes and producing summaries as required.
Perform any other tasks as appropriately assigned by the supervisor.

•Required Skills & Experience

Must be currently enrolled in a final year of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree programme in law, human rights, international relations, political science, social sciences, or a related field — or have graduated within the past one year.
Demonstrate a strong commitment to the ideals of the United Nations Charter and international human rights principles.
Ability to research, analyze, and synthesize information from multiple sources into clear, concise written outputs.
Proven capacity to interact respectfully with individuals from diverse cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, multicultural environment.
Strong command of English (written and spoken); knowledge of French or other UN languages is an added advantage.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and comfort with digital communication tools.
Demonstrated interest in UN human rights mechanisms, including Treaty Bodies and Special Procedures.

•Salary & Benefits

This internship is unpaid as per the United Nations Secretariat Internship Programme policy. Interns are responsible for their own travel, accommodation, and living expenses in Nairobi. The OHCHR does not provide financial support, insurance, or any other monetary compensation. However, interns gain invaluable exposure to UN operations, professional networks, and a formal UN certificate of completion — all of which significantly enhance career prospects in international development and human rights.

•Who Should Apply

This opportunity is ideal for highly motivated students or recent graduates who are deeply committed to human rights work and eager to understand the inner workings of the United Nations system. You should be detail-oriented, an excellent written communicator, and capable of working under pressure with minimal supervision. Candidates who thrive in multicultural settings and have a genuine interest in East Africa's human rights landscape will find this role especially rewarding.

Do NOT apply if you are seeking paid employment, require financial support to cover living costs, are not currently enrolled in or recently graduated from an accredited academic institution, or are unwilling to commit to a full six-month, full-time schedule.

•How to Apply

Prepare an updated CV and a cover letter outlining your interest in OHCHR and relevant academic or professional experience.
Ensure you have proof of current enrollment or recent graduation from an accredited university.
Submit your application through the official UN Careers portal at careers.un.org before the deadline of 29 June 2026.
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly by OHCHR MCO Nairobi for further assessment.
Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Requirements Breakdown

Must Have

Currently enrolled in final year of undergraduate/postgraduate degree OR graduated within past one year in law, human rights, international relations, political science, or related field
Strong commitment to UN Charter ideals and international human rights principles
Excellent research, analysis, and written communication skills in English
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in multicultural, fast-paced environment
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Nice to Have

Knowledge of French or other UN languages (Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese)
Demonstrated interest in UN human rights mechanisms including Treaty Bodies and Special Procedures
Prior internship or volunteer experience in human rights or international development
Familiarity with East African human rights context or regional geopolitics

Don't meet every requirement? Tailor your CV to close the gap →

Salary Context

Unpaid internship — no stipend or salary provided

This is an unpaid UN internship, which is standard policy for the UN Secretariat but uncommon for competitive roles in Kenya's human rights sector. Candidates must have personal financial support or savings to cover 6 months in Nairobi (rent, transport, meals). Paid human rights internships in Kenya typically range from 30,000–60,000 KES/month; this role offers zero financial compensation but unmatched prestige.

About Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is the principal UN body dedicated to protecting and promoting human rights globally. The East Africa Multi-Country Office in Nairobi serves Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi, working to embed human rights standards into national policy and support civil society. It is one of the most respected international human rights organizations and a career-defining placement for those pursuing UN or global advocacy work.

Likely Interview Questions

1
Tell us about a human rights issue in East Africa that you've researched or followed closely. How would you approach analyzing it from an OHCHR perspective?
2
Describe a time you synthesized complex information from multiple sources into a clear, concise written output. What was your process?
3
How do you stay informed about current human rights developments across different countries, and what sources do you rely on?
4
This role involves engaging with diverse stakeholders — governments, civil society, UN bodies — who may have competing interests. How would you navigate that diplomatically?
5
Why are you committed to the UN's human rights mandate, and how does this internship fit your longer-term career goals?

Application Tips

Highlight any published research, essays, or policy briefs you've written on human rights, international law, or East African issues — quality of writing is critical for this role.
Emphasize experience with UN mechanisms, Treaty Bodies, or Special Procedures; mention specific reports you've read or advocacy campaigns you've followed.
Demonstrate financial sustainability for an unpaid 6-month placement (e.g., personal savings, family support, scholarship) — the UN expects interns to be self-sufficient; addressing this proactively shows seriousness.

Career Path

Roles that lead here

Human rights volunteer or research assistant at an NGO

Final-year student with coursework in international law, human rights law, or development studies

Legal intern at a law firm or constitutional court

YOU

Where this leads

Junior Human Rights Officer at OHCHR or another UN agency

Program Officer at an international NGO (Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, etc.)

Policy Analyst in a government human rights commission or ministry

Human rights lawyer or advocate

Skills & Keywords

human rights internshipun internship nairobiohchr internshipunpaid internship kenyainternational relations internshipngo internship nairobiunited nations internshiphuman rights law intern

Honest Assessment

Green Flags

Prestigious UN employer with global brand recognition — this placement is a significant career asset and credential for future human rights roles.
Broad, meaningful responsibilities (research, drafting reports, policy integration, stakeholder engagement) — not just administrative tasks; real professional skill-building.
Exposure to multi-country East Africa portfolio and UN mechanisms — direct access to senior mentorship and international human rights networks.
Clear reporting structure and supervisor support (reports to Deputy Head of MCO) — structured mentorship from an experienced UN professional.

Watch Out

Unpaid internship with no stipend, housing allowance, or benefits — financially inaccessible to candidates without external support, potentially excluding talented applicants from lower-income backgrounds.
Internship duration (6 months, full-time) is long for an unpaid role with no formal stipend or travel coverage; candidates bear all costs (rent, transport, meals).
Job description notes 'interns responsible for their own tra[nsport/travel]' but cuts off — unclear what financial expectations exist for conference/event attendance or inter-country travel.

A Day in the Life

☀️

Your week starts with a morning news briefing — you scan reports and media across five East African countries, distilling overnight developments into a crisp summary for your supervisor by 10 a.m. On Tuesday, you're drafting an internal brief on economic and social rights violations in one country, synthesizing NGO reports and government statements. Wednesday brings a stakeholder meeting where you take detailed notes and support the office's engagement with a UN Special Procedures mandate holder. Thursday, you research and outline a thematic paper on your assigned human rights issue, pulling data from Treaty Body reports and OHCHR databases. Friday, you help coordinate a regional workshop, managing logistics and producing meeting summaries. Throughout, you're posting human rights updates to the office's social media and responding to research requests from colleagues.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications do I need to be a Human Rights Intern at OHCHR Nairobi?

You must be a final-year student or have graduated within the past year in law, human rights, international relations, political science, or a related field. You'll need strong English writing and research skills, commitment to UN human rights principles, and proficiency in Microsoft Office. Knowledge of French or other UN languages is a bonus.

Is this role in-person or remote?

This is a full-time, in-person internship based in Nairobi at OHCHR's East Africa Multi-Country Office. You will be expected to attend meetings, workshops, and events on-site.

How much does a Human Rights Intern earn at OHCHR?

This is an unpaid internship per UN Secretariat policy. You receive no salary, stipend, or housing allowance. You are responsible for covering your own living expenses, transport, and any required travel during the 6-month placement.

What are the career growth opportunities after this internship?

OHCHR internships are highly valued in the UN system and global human rights sector. Interns often transition to junior professional roles at OHCHR, other UN agencies, international NGOs, or government human rights bodies. The experience and network are your primary long-term assets.

Can I apply if I haven't graduated yet?

Yes — you can apply if you are currently in your final year of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. You do not need to have graduated, but you must be close to completion.

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