The Advocacy Department of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is currently seeking a student intern for its Paris office. Ideally, the intern will be available for 2 months starting in April 2018. Applicants available later are also encouraged to apply.
Internships are unpaid. However, students may be able to arrange academic credit, as Human Rights Watch internships often offer direct exposure to the workings of an international human rights organization, close supervision by HRW staff, and interaction with other international organizations and foreign and domestic government officials. Students should check with their individual academic institutions for requirements.
Students will also have opportunities to attend lectures, trainings, professional development workshops, special events relating to human rights, as well as network with other HRW interns, volunteers, and employees. As an HRW intern, students will take skills acquired in school and apply them in a professional setting.
The student will intern closely with members of the Advocacy team especially the France Director and the Advocacy Coordinator. The internship will primarily focus on advocacy-related activities, which include:
- Following thematic and geographic issues:
- Distributing press releases;
- Participating in meetings with decision makers and NGOs, and drafting meeting reports;
- Preparing content for social media
- Conducting desk research and drafting various advocacy documents;
- Drafting memos, briefing documents, press reviews, and the Daily Brief in French;
- Maintaining the “decision-maker” contact database; and
- Translating documents from and to French and English.
This internship is best suited for individuals interested in gaining experience within a small office of a large, well-organized, international non-profit organization. In order to provide a valuable and well-rounded internship experience, interns may attend planning and department staff meetings and may have the opportunity to attend in-house trainings and briefings.
- Excellent written and oral command of English and French are essential;
- Some experience in an association and/or experience abroad is desirable;
- Knowledge of French and international media and institutions and the French association landscape is desirable; and
- Well-organized, self-motivated, and reliable applicants with a strong interest in human rights are highly preferred.