OHCHR Human Rights Treaties Branch Internship 2026-2027 (Remote Options)

Introduction

Are you a student or recent graduate passionate about international law and protecting human rights on a global scale? Do you want to build your career by supporting the independent experts who monitor the core international human rights treaties? The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is currently accepting applications for its Human Rights Treaties Branch (HRTB) Internship, offering a flexible opportunity to work either in Geneva or remotely.

This internship, which lasts between 3 and 6 months, offers you direct exposure to the UN’s treaty body capacity-building programs, country inquiries, and individual complaint procedures. Working within the UN system, you will draft legal background papers, conduct jurisprudence research, handle individual communications, and support outreach initiatives for the Universal Human Rights Index (UHRI).

If you have an academic background in law, business administration, strategic communications, or management and want to contribute to the protection of human rights worldwide, read on to review the eligibility criteria and submit your application before the July 1, 2027 deadline.

Quick Overview

Provider	Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Location	Geneva, Switzerland (or fully Remote)
Program Type	Internship (Candidate Pool)
Study Level	Final-year Bachelor’s or Graduate students
Funding	Unpaid
Open To	All Nationalities
Deadline	1 July 2027

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Financial Structure & Modality

Please review the specific structure for all United Nations Secretariat internships before applying:

• Unpaid Position: This internship is non-remunerated. Interns are not financially paid by the United Nations.
• Flexible Modality: Because this role can be completed fully remotely, you can gain UN experience without incurring international travel or Swiss living expenses.
• In-Person Costs: If you choose to undertake the internship in-person in Geneva, all costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are your responsibility.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I complete this internship remotely?

Yes. This internship is designed to be highly flexible. You can request to complete the 3 to 6-month placement either fully remotely or in-person in Geneva.

Is this internship paid?

No, the United Nations does not offer financial remuneration for internships. By choosing the remote modality, however, you can gain valuable UN experience without the financial burden of international travel or living costs in Switzerland.

What is a Candidate Pool Job Opening?

A candidate pool opening collects qualified applicants over an extended period. OHCHR will draw from this roster to fill various internship vacancies within the Human Rights Treaties Branch between July 2026 and June 2027.

To be eligible for the OHCHR Human Rights Treaties Branch Internship, you must meet all of the following criteria:

Academic Requirements

You must meet one of the following academic criteria at the time of application

Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (Master’s degree, equivalent, or higher).

OR be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first-level university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s degree).

The minimum educational qualification required is a High School Diploma.

Experience and Background

Candidates must have relevant coursework in business administration, management, strategic communications and design, project management, public administration, law and legal administration (criminal justice), or human resources management.

Open to a broad range of educational, project, volunteering, and research experience backgrounds.

Strong teamwork, collaboration, and cross-cultural communication skills are required.

Language Requirements

Required: Fluency in either spoken and written English OR French is strictly required.

Advantage: Knowledge of the other working language is an asset. Knowledge of another UN official language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish) is an advantage.

If you are interested in joining this candidate pool, follow these application steps

Visit the official UN Inspira application portal using the link below.

Log in or create a new UN Inspira profile.

Complete your Personal History Profile (PHP), detailing your academic enrollment, languages, and relevant coursework.

Submit your application prior to the final July 1, 2027 deadline. Ensure you state your availability and preferred modality (remote or in-person).

Apply Now →

For more information, please visit the

UN Careers official website.