Human Rights Watch is offering a 20-week unpaid internship in Stockholm, Sweden, starting in January 2027. Gain advocacy, communications and fundraising experience. Apply by 25 October 2026.
Background & Job Description
Human Rights Watch (HRW) is inviting applications for its Advocacy Department and Development & Outreach Department Internship 2027 in Stockholm, Sweden.
The internship offers university students an opportunity to gain practical experience in an international human rights organisation. Interns will support advocacy activities, communications, fundraising research and events while learning how HRW works to promote human rights and influence policies.
The internship is full-time, requiring 35 hours per week over 20 weeks, and is expected to begin in mid-January 2027. The position is unpaid, and applicants must remain enrolled university students throughout the entire internship.
Applications close on 25 October 2026.
Internship Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Human Rights Watch |
| Internship | Advocacy and Development & Outreach |
| Location | Stockholm, Sweden |
| Duration | 20 weeks |
| Working hours | 35 hours per week |
| Expected start | Mid-January 2027 |
| Salary or stipend | Unpaid |
| Eligibility | Must remain enrolled university students throughout the internship |
| Application deadline | 25 October 2026 |
| Application language | English or Swedish |
| Official application portal | Human Rights Watch Careers |
Tasks and Internship Benefits
Selected interns will support the Stockholm office’s advocacy work and contribute to activities undertaken by the Development & Outreach Department. Specific responsibilities may vary depending on the intern’s interests and abilities.
Key tasks may include:
- Monitoring global developments and preparing information to support advocacy activities.
- Helping plan, organise and evaluate events.
- Participating in briefings with decision-makers and other important stakeholders.
- Researching potential fundraising sources, including foundations and corporate partners.
- Preparing communications that share HRW’s research and recommendations with decision-makers and the general public.
- Creating content for HRW Sweden’s social media channels, newsletters and website.
Professional Development Opportunities
The internship provides exposure to the work of an international human rights organisation and the relationship between research, advocacy, communications and fundraising.
Interns may also attend lectures, training sessions, professional development workshops and human rights-related events. The opportunity includes networking with other interns, volunteers and HRW employees.
The experience may be especially valuable for students interested in human rights advocacy, public policy, communications, journalism, law and nonprofit work.
Qualifications and Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following key requirements:
- Be enrolled at a university for the full duration of the internship.
- Demonstrate an interest in human rights, advocacy, communications, social media or fundraising.
- Have strong written and verbal communication skills in both Swedish and English.
- Be organised, curious, creative, flexible and detail-oriented.
- Demonstrate good time-management skills and a willingness to learn.
- Have good knowledge of Microsoft Office programmes, particularly Word and Excel.
Relevant coursework in communications, media, political science, law or human rights is preferred. However, HRW encourages applications from candidates with other academic backgrounds as well.
Teamwork experience is desirable. Applicants should also be prepared to provide references as requested in the application form.
Important: Applicants must confirm that they are legally authorised to undertake an internship in Sweden. University enrolment and the ability to communicate in both Swedish and English are key requirements stated in the recruitment information.
Additional Information
Applications must be submitted through the official Human Rights Watch recruitment portal. Candidates should attach a CV and a letter of interest explaining their motivation and suitability for the internship.
Applications may be written in English or Swedish. Only complete applications will be reviewed, and HRW states that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
The organisation does not accept applications by email. Email assistance is available only for technical difficulties with online submissions.
How to apply: Visit the official Human Rights Watch Careers website, search for Advocacy Department and Development & Outreach Department Intern – Stockholm, and submit your application before 25 October 2026.
Applicants experiencing technical difficulties with the application portal may contact internships@hrw.org. This email address is for technical assistance, not for submitting applications or requesting recruitment updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Human Rights Watch Internship 2027?
It is a 20-week internship in Stockholm, Sweden, supporting the Advocacy and Development & Outreach departments of Human Rights Watch.
2. When does the internship begin?
The internship is expected to start in mid-January 2027.
3. Is the Human Rights Watch internship paid?
No. The advertised internship is unpaid, and the supplied vacancy information does not specify a stipend.
4. How long does the internship last?
The internship lasts 20 weeks, with a full-time schedule of 35 hours per week.
5. Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must remain enrolled university students throughout the internship. Relevant coursework and experience are helpful, but HRW welcomes candidates from different academic backgrounds.
6. Are Swedish language skills required?
The vacancy describes strong written and verbal communication in both Swedish and English as a qualification for the role. The application form also asks applicants to confirm fluency in both languages.
7. What is the application deadline?
The deadline is 25 October 2026.
8. What documents are required?
Applicants must submit a CV and a letter of interest through the online recruitment portal. The application form also requests contact details for two to three references.
9. Can I apply by email?
No. Applications must be submitted online. The internship email address is provided for technical assistance with application submissions.
10. How do I apply?
Visit the official Human Rights Watch Careers portal, locate the Stockholm internship and follow the online application instructions.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
The Human Rights Watch Internship 2027 may be valuable for eligible students who want practical exposure to human rights advocacy, public communications, event coordination and fundraising research. It offers professional development and networking opportunities within an established international organisation.
Applicants should carefully consider the unpaid nature of the position, the full-time commitment, the university enrolment requirement and the Swedish and English language expectations before applying.
Disclaimer: Opportunities Feed shares employment, internship and education opportunities for informational purposes. It is not affiliated with Human Rights Watch and does not recruit on the organisation’s behalf. Applicants should confirm all eligibility conditions and application details through the official HRW careers website.
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