Regional Human Rights Internship

About the role

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Southern Africa Regional Office is offering a three‑month unpaid internship, renewable to six months, in Pretoria. The intern will support the Regional Human Rights Officer in research, analysis and capacity‑building activities across fourteen Southern African countries.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct substantive research and prepare analytical briefs on thematic and country‑specific human rights issues, including gender perspectives.
• Collect, analyse and report on human‑rights data and indicators for the sub‑region.
• Support engagement with State parties, civil society organisations, national human‑rights institutions and UN country teams.
• Assist in the development and delivery of training programmes on human rights, international humanitarian law and the rule of law.
• Take notes at meetings and draft reports, briefings, statements and other communications for policy‑making bodies.

Required profile

• Enrolled in a graduate programme (Master’s) or in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in law, political science, international relations or related fields.
• Fluency in written and spoken English; knowledge of French and/or Portuguese is an asset.
• Demonstrated interest in UN work and ability to interact with diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Willingness to commit to a full‑time schedule for the internship period.