Students and recent graduates interested in human rights, international affairs, law, political science, research and the United Nations system can apply for specific internship opportunities with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
OHCHR is the leading United Nations entity mandated to promote and protect human rights for all people.
Unlike programs that accept one general application throughout the year, OHCHR states that it advertises specific internship opportunities, with candidates required to check and apply through the UN Careers system.
These internships can provide exposure to work including:
- Human rights research
- Analytical papers and reports
- Meetings
- Fact-finding activities
- Technical cooperation
- Field operations
- Other OHCHR activities
However, prospective applicants need to understand one particularly important condition before applying:
United Nations internships covered by the OHCHR program are not remunerated.
Interns are responsible for their travel, accommodation and living expenses unless another institution sponsors them.
OHCHR Internship Programme 2026–2027 Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights |
| Organization Type | United Nations |
| Programme | OHCHR Internship Programme |
| Opportunity Type | Internship |
| Applicants | Eligible students and graduates |
| Academic Requirement | Graduate-level study/completion OR final academic year/completion of bachelor’s-level degree |
| Internship Pay | Unpaid |
| Travel Funding | Not provided by the UN under these conditions |
| Accommodation | Intern’s responsibility |
| Living Expenses | Intern’s responsibility |
| Geneva Estimated Living Costs | Approximately CHF 1,800/month in OHCHR eligibility self-check |
| Visa | Intern responsible for obtaining necessary visa |
| Health Insurance | Required |
| Language | Fluency in an official UN language unless vacancy specifies otherwise |
| Work Schedule | Full-time |
| Application | Through UN Careers |
| Employment Guarantee | None |
| Vacancies | Specific opportunities advertised individually |
What Is the OHCHR Internship Programme?
The OHCHR Internship Programme is intended to expose students and recent graduates to the work of the United Nations while enhancing their educational and professional experience.
OHCHR describes two main purposes.
First, the program provides students from diverse academic backgrounds with exposure to the United Nations through assignments within offices of the UN Secretariat.
Second, interns provide assistance to United Nations offices using their academic and professional skills.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
This is best understood as an experience and professional-development opportunity, not a conventional paid graduate job.
Applicants should evaluate both the career value and financial implications before applying.
What Do OHCHR Interns Do?
OHCHR assigns interns to organizational units based on:
- The needs of the Office
- The intern’s skills
- The intern’s areas of interest
Depending on the assignment, interns may participate in:
- Researching human rights issues
- Drafting analytical papers
- Preparing reports
- Supporting meetings
- Supporting fact-finding activities
- Technical cooperation activities
- Field operations
- Other OHCHR work
OHCHR also says it endeavors to provide interns with information sessions on human-rights issues conducted by staff.
Opportunities Feed Insight
This makes the internship potentially valuable for candidates who want practical exposure to how international human-rights work operates beyond university coursework.
Instead of studying human-rights institutions only theoretically, interns may gain experience with actual research, reporting and operational processes.
Who Can Apply for an OHCHR Internship?
Applicants must meet at least one of the following academic conditions at the time they apply.
Option 1: Graduate-Level Applicants
You must be enrolled in or have completed:
a graduate school programme — a second university degree or equivalent, or higher.
Option 2: Bachelor’s-Level Applicants
You must be enrolled in or have completed:
the final academic year of a first university degree programme at minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent.
Opportunities Feed Clarification
This means the programme is not restricted only to current students.
The wording explicitly includes candidates who have completed the relevant academic programmes.
However, candidates who have not yet reached the final academic year of their first university degree would not satisfy the academic requirement described on this OHCHR page.
OHCHR’s 5-Part Eligibility Check
OHCHR provides a useful self-assessment and says candidates must answer “Yes” to all five questions to be eligible.
1. Do You Meet the Academic Requirement?
You need to satisfy one of the graduate or bachelor’s-level conditions described above.
2. Can You Obtain the Necessary Visa and Arrange Travel?
Applicants need to be able to obtain the necessary visa and organize travel to the United Nations.
3. Can You Pay Your Expenses?
Applicants must be able to cover:
- Travel
- Accommodation
- Living expenses
For the Geneva context, OHCHR’s eligibility table estimates living expenses at approximately:
CHF 1,800 per month.
Opportunities Feed Warning
This is one of the most important details to consider before applying.
The CHF 1,800 figure is an approximate living-cost estimate appearing in OHCHR’s eligibility self-check. It is not a stipend paid to interns.
4. Can You Meet Health and Documentation Requirements?
If selected, candidates must be able to provide:
- Valid medical insurance coverage for their stay in Switzerland
- A medical certificate stating they are in good health
- Evidence that they completed at least the final academic year of a first university degree at bachelor’s level or equivalent
5. Do You Meet the Language Requirement?
Applicants need to communicate fluently in at least one of the official United Nations languages unless the particular vacancy specifies different language requirements.
The six official UN languages listed by OHCHR are:
- Arabic
- Chinese
- English
- French
- Russian
- Spanish
Opportunities Feed Advice
Do not assume that fluency in any one UN language automatically satisfies every internship.
A specific vacancy can request particular language skills.
Always prioritize the requirements in the individual vacancy announcement.
Are OHCHR Internships Paid?
No.
OHCHR explicitly states that United Nations internships are not remunerated and interns are not considered UN officials or staff members.
Interns must cover their own:
- Travel
- Accommodation
- Living expenses
or receive support from a sponsoring institution.
Opportunities Feed Warning
Do not confuse the approximately CHF 1,800/month figure in OHCHR’s eligibility table with compensation.
It is the page’s approximate estimate of living expenses that applicants need to be able to cover.
Does OHCHR Pay for Flights?
The conditions supplied by OHCHR state that travel costs must be borne by interns or their sponsoring institution.
Interns are responsible for making their own travel arrangements.
Does OHCHR Pay for Accommodation?
The supplied internship conditions do not provide accommodation funding.
Interns must cover their accommodation expenses themselves or obtain support from another sponsoring institution.
Does OHCHR Provide Visa Sponsorship?
Candidates should be careful with the word “sponsorship.”
OHCHR says interns are responsible for obtaining their visas and must be able to arrange the necessary visa and travel.
For Geneva internships, OHCHR says interns receive a Swiss ID card for the internship duration after arrival, along with a UN ground pass, library card and general information.
Opportunities Feed Clarification
Do not advertise this opportunity as a “fully funded UN internship” or as providing “visa sponsorship.”
Neither description is supported by the supplied OHCHR information.
Is Health Insurance Required?
Yes.
OHCHR says interns must have their own health insurance, and the United Nations accepts no responsibility for expenses resulting from illness or accidents during the internship.
Candidates selected for Geneva also need to prove valid medical insurance coverage for their stay in Switzerland.
Are OHCHR Internships Full-Time?
Yes.
The conditions state that interns are expected to work:
full-time
and carry out assigned duties.
Interns do not accrue annual leave during the internship.
Where Are OHCHR Internships Located?
The supplied programme page specifically discusses Geneva arrangements, including the OHCHR Administrative Section at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
However, OHCHR advertises specific vacancies, and applicants should rely on each vacancy for the actual duty station.
Opportunities Feed Advice
Do not assume every OHCHR internship is automatically located in Geneva.
Check the vacancy for:
- Duty station
- Internship timeframe
- Assignment
- Language requirements
- Other conditions
Which Academic Backgrounds Could Be Relevant?
OHCHR says the UN internship framework gives students from diverse academic backgrounds exposure to the United Nations.
Depending on a vacancy, potentially relevant backgrounds could include:
- Law
- Human Rights
- International Relations
- Political Science
- International Development
- Public Policy
- Social Sciences
- Communications
- Research-related disciplines
Opportunities Feed Clarification
The supplied general page does not state that every degree above qualifies for every vacancy.
Specific internship announcements can have more targeted requirements.
Human Rights Research Experience
One of the clearest practical components of the programme is research.
OHCHR says interns can be involved in:
researching human rights issues.
Candidates with university research experience should consider demonstrating:
- Literature reviews
- Policy research
- Legal research
- Qualitative research
- Academic writing
- Evidence analysis
where relevant to the vacancy.
Analytical Writing
Interns can also contribute to:
- Analytical papers
- Reports
Opportunities Feed Advice
Candidates should make strong writing ability visible in their applications.
Instead of simply listing:
“Research skills”
provide evidence through relevant coursework, dissertations, policy briefs, publications, research projects or previous internships.
Meetings and Technical Support
OHCHR says interns may help provide substantive and technical servicing for meetings.
This can give interns exposure to the administrative and substantive work behind international human-rights processes.
Fact-Finding and Field Operations
Depending on Office needs and the internship assignment, interns may also support:
- Fact-finding activities
- Technical cooperation
- Field operations
Opportunities Feed Clarification
This does not mean every intern travels into the field or participates directly in investigations.
OHCHR explicitly makes responsibilities dependent on the needs of the Office and the assignment.
How Are Interns Assigned?
OHCHR says placement within an organizational unit considers:
- Office needs
- The candidate’s skill set
- Areas of interest
Opportunities Feed Insight
Applicants should therefore make their interests clear without presenting themselves too narrowly.
A strong application can show both:
a defined human-rights interest + transferable skills useful across OHCHR teams.
Does Meeting the Eligibility Requirements Guarantee Selection?
No.
OHCHR explicitly warns that meeting the stated qualifications provides no guarantee of an internship.
Candidates selected will be contacted directly by the Hiring Manager.
How Competitive Is the OHCHR Internship Programme?
The supplied OHCHR page does not publish:
- Number of annual applications
- Number of interns selected
- Acceptance rate
- Interview rate
Opportunities Feed Assessment
It would therefore be inaccurate to claim a specific acceptance rate.
Given that OHCHR explicitly warns that satisfying eligibility requirements does not guarantee an internship, candidates should focus on matching their applications closely to individual vacancies.
How to Apply for an OHCHR Internship
OHCHR requires applicants to apply through the:
UN Careers website.
The Office advertises individual internship opportunities rather than instructing candidates to submit a generic internship application directly to OHCHR.
Step 1: Search Current OHCHR Internship Vacancies
Monitor the UN Careers system for internship opportunities with OHCHR.
Step 2: Read the Specific Vacancy Carefully
Pay attention to:
- Academic requirements
- Duty station
- Languages
- Internship dates
- Skills
- Responsibilities
Step 3: Confirm Your Eligibility
Use OHCHR’s five-question eligibility test before applying.
If you cannot answer yes to every requirement, OHCHR recommends postponing your application until the requirements are met.
Step 4: Choose Your Availability
When completing the application, OHCHR asks applicants to indicate a period during the current year when they are available to begin, unless the vacancy specifies its own desired internship timeframe.
Step 5: Submit a Complete Application
OHCHR explicitly states:
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Opportunities Feed Advice
Before submitting, check every required section and document carefully.
A strong candidate can still be eliminated if the application itself is incomplete.
What Happens After Selection?
Interns receive a supervisor responsible for providing:
- A description of duties
- A work plan
At the end of the internship, both the supervisor and intern complete a final report describing what was achieved.
Interns are also asked to complete an evaluation of their assignment.
Does an OHCHR Internship Lead to a UN Job?
There is no expectation of employment at the end of the internship.
The supplied OHCHR conditions also state that interns cannot apply for regular or temporary UN positions during their internship or for six months after the internship expires.
Opportunities Feed Warning
An OHCHR internship should therefore never be marketed as:
- Guaranteed UN employment
- A guaranteed pathway into a permanent UN job
- Automatic recruitment into OHCHR
Its principal value is professional exposure and experience.
Is the OHCHR Internship Worth It?
Opportunities Feed Assessment
Professionally, the internship can offer significant exposure for candidates who want careers related to:
- Human rights
- International organizations
- International law
- Public policy
- Diplomacy
- Development
- Research
However, the financial burden is significant because the programme is unpaid.
Applicants considering Geneva need to evaluate whether they can realistically finance:
- Travel
- Accommodation
- Approximately CHF 1,800/month in estimated living expenses
- Insurance
- Other personal expenses
without relying on income from the internship.
Could External Funding Help?
OHCHR’s conditions say travel and living expenses may be borne either by the intern or by a sponsoring institution.
Opportunities Feed Advice
Students who cannot independently finance an internship may want to investigate whether their:
- University
- Scholarship provider
- Government
- Foundation
- Academic department
offers external internship funding.
The supplied OHCHR page does not identify or guarantee any particular external funding programme.
How to Strengthen Your Application
1. Demonstrate Human Rights Interest
Avoid generic statements about wanting to “work for the UN.”
Explain what specifically interests you about human rights.
2. Show Research Experience
Highlight relevant:
- Research papers
- Dissertations
- Policy briefs
- Legal research
- Academic projects
3. Demonstrate Writing Ability
OHCHR specifically identifies analytical papers and reports as potential internship work.
4. Highlight Language Skills
Clearly state your proficiency in relevant UN languages.
5. Match the Specific Vacancy
Do not use exactly the same application for every OHCHR internship.
Different offices can require different expertise.
6. Be Realistic About Funding
Before accepting an internship, calculate the full financial cost.
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid:
- Assuming the internship is paid
- Mistaking CHF 1,800/month for a stipend
- Assuming OHCHR pays for flights
- Assuming accommodation is provided
- Expecting visa costs to be covered
- Applying before meeting the academic requirement
- Ignoring health-insurance requirements
- Submitting an incomplete application
- Applying without checking vacancy-specific language requirements
- Assuming eligibility guarantees selection
- Assuming an internship guarantees a future UN job
- Applying through unofficial websites
Frequently Asked Questions
Are OHCHR internships paid?
No. OHCHR states that United Nations internships under these conditions are not remunerated.
Who can apply?
Applicants must either be enrolled in or have completed graduate-level study, or be enrolled in or have completed the final academic year of a first university degree at bachelor’s level or equivalent.
Can recent graduates apply?
Yes. The eligibility wording includes applicants who have completed qualifying university programmes.
How much does OHCHR pay interns?
The internship is unpaid.
Does OHCHR provide a CHF 1,800 monthly stipend?
No. Approximately CHF 1,800 per month is listed as an estimate of living expenses applicants must be able to cover.
Does OHCHR pay travel costs?
No under the supplied programme conditions. Travel costs must be paid by the intern or a sponsoring institution.
Does OHCHR provide accommodation?
The supplied conditions require interns to cover accommodation costs themselves or through a sponsoring institution.
Is health insurance required?
Yes. Interns must have their own health insurance.
What languages are accepted?
OHCHR lists Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish as official UN languages, while individual vacancies may specify particular language requirements.
Are the internships full-time?
Yes. OHCHR says interns are expected to work full-time.
What work can interns perform?
Interns may contribute to human-rights research, analytical papers, reports, meetings, fact-finding support, technical cooperation and field operations depending on the assignment.
Does meeting all eligibility requirements guarantee an internship?
No. OHCHR explicitly states there is no guarantee of an internship even when qualifications are met.
Where do I apply?
Applications must be submitted through UN Careers for specific advertised OHCHR internship opportunities.
Does an internship guarantee employment with the United Nations?
No. OHCHR explicitly states there is no expectation of employment at the end of the internship.
Opportunities Feed Verdict
The OHCHR Internship Programme can be a valuable opportunity for students and recent graduates seeking direct exposure to the United Nations human-rights system.
Interns can potentially contribute to human-rights research, analytical reports, meetings, fact-finding support, technical cooperation and field operations, depending on their assignment and OHCHR’s needs.
Eligibility is reasonably broad at the university level: candidates can qualify through graduate study or by reaching or completing the final year of a bachelor’s-level degree.
The biggest limitation is financial.
These internships are unpaid. Interns must finance their travel and living costs themselves or through an external sponsoring institution, and OHCHR’s Geneva eligibility check estimates living expenses at approximately CHF 1,800 per month.
Applicants also need appropriate visa arrangements, health insurance and the required language proficiency.
For candidates who can meet those conditions, the programme offers the opportunity to build substantive experience within the UN’s principal human-rights entity.
The most important application strategy is to avoid treating the OHCHR Internship Programme as one generic opportunity.
OHCHR advertises specific internships, so candidates should monitor UN Careers and tailor each application to the skills, duty station, languages and responsibilities stated in the individual vacancy.
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