OHCHR Sri Lanka Accountability Project Internship 2026 in Geneva

Introduction

Are you an enrolled university student passionate about human rights and international justice? Do you want to build your expertise by contributing directly to a critical accountability framework within the United Nations? The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is now accepting applications for the Sri Lanka Accountability Project (OSLap) Internship in Geneva, Switzerland.

This six-month, full-time internship offers you a unique opportunity to engage in desk-based research, analyze datasets, and support essential documentation related to human rights violations. Working at the UN headquarters in Geneva, you will gain hands-on experience interacting with diverse global professionals, maintaining internal repositories of evidence, and coordinating vital human rights events.

If you have an academic background in law, political science, or international relations and want to launch your career on the global stage, read on to discover the eligibility criteria, core responsibilities, and how to submit your application before the January 20, 2027 deadline.

Quick Overview

Provider	Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Location	Geneva, Switzerland
Program Type	Internship (Candidate Pool)
Study Level	Final-year Bachelor’s or Graduate students
Funding	Unpaid
Open To	All Nationalities
Deadline	20 January 2027

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Financial Structure & Modality

Please review the unique 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.
• Personal Responsibility: All costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses in Geneva are the responsibility of the intern or their sponsoring institution.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is this internship paid?

No, like most UN Secretariat internships, this position is non-remunerated. You will need to cover your own travel, accommodation, and living expenses in Geneva.

Do I need previous professional experience?

No professional work experience is required. This internship is designed to give current university students or recent graduates exposure to the work of the United Nations.

What is a Candidate Pool internship?

A candidate pool is a roster of qualified applicants. OHCHR will draw from this pool as internship positions become available for the Sri Lanka Accountability Project (OSLap) during the recruitment window.

To be eligible for the OHCHR Sri Lanka Accountability Project Internship, you must meet all of the following requirements:

Academic Requirements

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

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

Your background should preferably be in law, political science, international relations, social sciences, or records management/archival studies.

Language Requirements

English: Fluency in spoken and written English is required.

Additional Languages: Knowledge of Tamil or Sinhala would be an advantage.

If you are interested in applying for this candidate pool, follow these steps carefully

Visit the official UN Inspira application portal linked below.

Create an account or log in to your existing UN Inspira profile.

Complete the digital Personal History Profile (PHP), clearly indicating your present matriculation status, period of availability, and relevant academic background in your cover letter.

Submit your application before the deadline on January 20, 2027.

Apply Now →

For more information, please visit the

UN Careers official website.