Work should always be paid. Nevertheless, paid human rights internships are hard to find. On this page we compiled a list of paid human rights internships with organizations and employers around the world. If you are finished reading on this page you may also want to explore our pages on human rights scholarships, fellowships, courses, masters and jobs.
The Scientific Responsibility Human Rights and Law Program
The Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program (SRHRL) focuses on legal, ethical and human rights issues concerning the application and conduct of science and technology. Undergraduates, graduate students, post-doctorate and law student applicants from all fields of technology and science are encouraged to apply. In addition to a strong interest in science and technology, candidates should have excellent communication skills, a passion for ethics, human rights and the legal system. Internships entail a 32-hour, 4 day work week for 12 weeks. Interns participate in research, assist in the preparation of proposals, and submit work for publication. Application deadline for summer internships is March 15. Find out more
American Red Cross Paid Internship Program
The American Red Cross provides paid internship opportunities during the summer for undergraduate and graduate college students. Internships provide individuals with valuable hands-on experience working with Red Cross volunteers and staff members on the local and national level. Paid internships last 10 weeks and consists of a 40-hour work week. Applications for summer internships open each November. Flexible schedules are offered to accommodate class schedules. The program does not reimburse for relocation or housing costs. During the initial phase of hiring, candidates will receive a phone interview with the department sponsor. Selected candidates will be invited for a second interview among a small pool of finalists. Find out more
ReThink Media Paid Internship Program
The media and communications nonprofit organization ReThink Media offers internship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Internships are completed in Washington DC, Berkeley California or Boise Idaho depending on preference and availability. Interns work side by side with experienced professionals using strategies and media tools that enhance human rights efforts among nonprofits and NGOs. Interns responsibilities include research, media relations, design, and management. Find out more
International Lesbian Gay, Bisexual Trans and Intersex Association Internship Program
Individuals with a background in or at least profound knowledge of the United Nations System may qualify for a 6-month internship with ILGA (International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association). Applicants should have a minimum of a relevant bachelor’s degree and a passion for human rights in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual community. Strong analytical skills, a high level of written and spoken English. Those with additional language skills in Spanish, Arabic, French or other UN affiliated languages are highly sought for the internship. Interns will work with ILGA representatives in a virtual setting from their home base. Opportunities to work with affiliated NGOs may also be available in Geneva through a virtual setting as well. Candidate interviews are conducted via Skype or in person in Geneva. Find out more
Doctors Without Borders Internship Program
Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF-USA) extends numerous Spring, Summer and Fall internship opportunities based in New York City. Access Campaign Commission, Access HIV and Tuberculosis Policy, Editorial and Multimedia, and Medical and Operational Research are only a few of the internships offered each year. Each internship has different specific application criteria and assignment duties. Potential candidates may apply for more than one term. Assignments will last for 3 to 4 months depending on the term and most often require a 20-hour work week commitment. Applicants must be able to work in the United States without sponsorship and are responsible for their own relocation costs and accommodations. Strong English skills are required in addition to excellent written and verbal communication skills. Internship assignments are highly competitive and those with substantial knowledge and experience in the area chosen will receive priority. Find out more
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)
Individuals who are currently enrolled in a Master’s program or who have earned a Master’s degree in International Relations, Gender Studies, International Law, or Human Rights are encouraged to apply for a Geneva-based internship. Internships begin in April and end in October. Intern candidates can expect to gain valuable insights and experience working for human rights around the globe, with an emphasis on peace efforts. Tasks may include social media management, blogging, and website management. Administrative support will comprise 30 percent of the internship. Applicants with human rights activism experience and knowledge of online social activism are preferred. Additionally, experience with WordPress, database management systems and task management systems are given high priority during the intern selection process. The position requires fluency in English with additional language skills in Spanish or French preferred. Find out more
World Justice Project (WJP) Internship Program
The World Justice Project engages in the advancement of international rule of law. Rule of law ensures social justice, holding governments and other agencies accountable for fundamental human rights in various sectors. Full-time paid interns are based in Washington DC for assignments starting in September. Interns provide administrative support, edit and proofread publications and reports, perform email and telephone outreach, and conduct data analysis. The position may also include other tasks such as preparation for presentations and meetings, creating outreach materials and research. Applicants must have completed or be currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program in the area of international affairs, journalism, policy studies or social sciences. Other areas of study will be considered. Candidates should have at least one year of relevant professional work experience as well as excellent research skills and superior oral and written communication skills. Authorization to work in the United States is also a prerequisite. Find out more
Human Dignity Trust Internship Program
The Human Dignity Trust internship program operates on a rolling basis, accepting applications throughout the year. Candidates are notified when an opening becomes available. Applicants must have a law degree and knowledge of international and constitutional law principles. The internships requires extensive research in the areas of human rights law. Interns will also provide support with administrative duties. Internships are three months in duration with the possibility of extensions and require a 20-hour work week. Candidates must be able to live and work legally in the UK. Find out more
Demos Internship Program
Demos, based in New York city, is accepting applications for 2018 summer internships. Interns gain educational and work experience in the areas of economic justice litigation, voting rights, research, and advocacy. Intern assignments include racial equity, money in politics, and freedom to vote. Responsibilities include legislative and policy analysis, trial litigation assistance, legal research, and other duties. Applicants must have at least one year of law school and be passionate about racial justice and human rights. Find out more
Justice Internship Program
Interns undertake legal research in one of JUSTICE’s main areas of policy work: human rights, criminal justice or administrative law. For this reason they seek applications from law graduates only. In exceptional cases, JUSTICE will consider applications from non-law graduates who can demonstrate in their application that they have relevant knowledge and experience equivalent to a degree. Find out more
Frank Jennings Internship (Dublin and Geneva)
The Frank Jennings Internship was set up to give an opportunity for dedicated and talented individuals to gain experience working for the protection of human rights defenders in an international NGO and at the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Honorarium: €1200 per month Dublin and €1400 per month Geneva. Find out more
Amnesty International Internships (International Secretariat)
Founded 1961 in London, Amnesty International is one of the biggest non-governmental organizations in the world. With almost 7 million supporters the organization takes action on a broad variety of human rights issues. Today the International Secretariat of Amnesty International occasionally offers paid internships in London. Find out more
Trial International Paid Internship Program
Trial International supports victims of international crimes by providing legal assistance, litigating cases, developing capacity, and helping to move human rights cases forward. Applicants should have training in international criminal law, humanitarian law and/or human rights and be fluent in English and French. The internships last six months and require a Swiss work permit. Find out more
Public Services International Paid Internship
Public Services International is a worldwide trade union that represents 20 million working people who work in the vital public services. It promotes human rights, social justice, and access to quality pubic services. The trade union rights internship communications and campaigns internship provides support external news content and campaigns that advocate for trade unions rights. You should have multimedia skills, a bachelor’s degree in a communications-related field, and fluency in English. Find out more
International AIDS Society Paid Internships
The International Aids Society is the globe’s largest association of HIV workers. It has members from over 180 countries who all respond to the AIDS problem around the world. The IAS posts different internship vacancies on its website, but as of December 2016, an internship to participate in the IAS 2017 Information Communications Technology onsite Project. Applicants should be currently studying or have recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in information technology and have a variety of previous IT experience. Proficiency in English is necessary, and speaking French is a plus. Those living with HIV are encouraged to apply. Applicants need a Swiss work permit. Find out more
CARE USA Internship Program
Care International helps to save lives, reach social justice, and to defeat poverty around the world, focusing its efforts on women and girls. Interns learn about global development and health, as well as about other topics of international importance. Additionally, professional development is available through CARE’s online university. The US office hires undergraduate and graduate students who want to support its mission. Interns are hired for fall, spring, and summer semesters. The vacancies for each term are posted on the CARE USA website. International vacancies are also posted for CARE’s other sites around the world. Find out more
Reporters Committee Freedom of Press Internship
The Reporters Committee fights for freedom of the press around the world and accepts applicants for fall, spring and summer internships at their offices in Washington, D.C. Interns work primarily on the digital magazine and website for the organization. Students with background in journalism and those who recently graduated with journalism degrees are welcome to apply. Find out more
Association for the Prevention of Torture Centre Jean-Jacques Gautier
APT are working with academic institutions in Geneva and around the world to offer graduate students the opportunity to learn about APT’s work and develop a range of professional skills through internships with the Advocacy, Legal and Detention Monitoring teams. Find out more
Geneva Institute for Human Rights Paid Internship Program
In 2016, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Geneva joined forces on the common understanding that promoting human rights worldwide must first be applied to basic human rights in their own structures. As a result of this, they started promoting a basic pay (stipend) for their interns. Find out more
UPR Info Geneva Internship
UPR Info is a non – profit, non – governmental organisation (NGO) with their headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and two regional offices: in Bangkok, Thailand, for Asia and in Nairobi, Kenya, for Africa. The organisation’s main goal is to ensure all stakeholders seize the opportunity and engage in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Process as an effective political mechanism to advance the realization of human rights on the ground. Find out more
FIRE – Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (Legal Interns)
FIRE is a nonpartisan, nonprofit educational foundation headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Since 1999, FIRE has effectively and decisively defended the civil liberties of thousands of students and faculty on our nation’s campuses. The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) is offering Legal Research Internships. Find out more
Alkarama Paid Internships
Alkarama is offering full time paid internships in their legal department in Geneva, Switzerland. The work is varied, non-exclusively extending from research, interviewing of victims and recording of testimonies, drafting of complaints for submission to the UN human rights protection mechanisms, attendance and note-taking at UN conferences including the Human Rights Council, the Universal Periodic Review and Treaty Bodies sessions, synthesizing of information about individual cases of human rights violations, and drafting of reports. Find out more
Heinrich Böll Foundation North America Paid Internship Program
The Heinrich Boell Foundation offers internship positions for students who are either enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s degree program or have recently graduated. Internships are full-time positions that last for 3 to 6 months. Students perform administrative tasks for the human rights organization and complete a policy paper and write editorials as a part of the experience. Find out more
MADRE Paid Internship Program
This organisation promotes women’s rights by working to end gender violence, supporting women’s efforts to defend against climate change and strengthening women’s abilities to prevent, survive and recover from war. They offer three internship sessions throughout the year. The summer session runs from June to August, with the deadline for application being the 15th of March, the Fall session from September to December, with the deadline being the 15th of July, and the Spring session from January to May with the deadline for application on the 15th of November. The length of time of the internships and type of work will vary depending on which internships are available at the time. Find out more
Child Rights Connect Paid Internship Program
Child Rights Connect is member of the “We pay our interns” initiative. The organization offers 6-month internships with its Secretariat in Geneva, starting in January and July each year. University students and young graduates that are interested in working on child rights at an international level are encouraged to apply. Find out more Could not find what you were looking for? Try our pages on Human Rights Fellowships and Human Rights Jobs.