UN OHCHR Internship 2026: UPR Branch Opportunity Now Open offers students and recent graduates an opportunity to gain experience supporting the Universal Periodic Review mechanism at OHCHR in Geneva, Switzerland.
Background & Job Description
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is offering an internship with its Universal Periodic Review Branch (UPRB) in Geneva, Switzerland. The internship is designed to be full-time and in person, with an expected duration of three to six months.
The UPR Branch supports the Universal Periodic Review mechanism, which reviews the human rights records of UN Member States. Interns will work under the guidance of UPR Branch staff and contribute to activities connected with UPR sessions and research.
Tasks
Interns may assist with drafting sections of UPR Working Group and Outcome reports, compiling delegation information, preparing correspondence, conducting data research and statistics, taking notes during events and supporting session-related activities.
Outside UPR sessions, assignments may include researching human rights information and trends, preparing UPR documents, indexing recommendations, conducting thematic research and developing training materials, presentations, infographics and other digital resources.
Qualifications
Education and Certification
Applicants must be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a Bachelor’s degree or be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate programme such as a Master’s degree.
Law, political science, international relations or related fields are preferred.
Experience and Skills
Professional work experience is not required. However, applicants should have academic knowledge of human rights and international human rights mechanisms, including the UPR.
Proficiency in MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Teams is required. Skills in data research, data analysis, statistics and graphic design are desirable.
Languages
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is an asset, while another official UN language such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish is an advantage.
Additional Information
Organization: OHCHR
Branch: Universal Periodic Review Branch
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Contract: Internship
Level: I-1
Duration: 3–6 months
Work arrangement: Full-time, in person
Deadline: 22 October 2026 at 23:59 EDT
The internship is unpaid. Travel, visa, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions.
The United Nations also states that it does not charge fees at any stage of the recruitment process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the OHCHR internship located?
The internship is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and is full-time and in person.
What is the internship duration?
The expected duration is three to six months.
Who can apply?
Students in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree and students or graduates of graduate-level programmes may qualify, subject to the stated requirements.
Is professional experience required?
No. The vacancy states that professional work experience is not required.
Is the OHCHR internship paid?
No. The vacancy states that UN interns are not financially remunerated.
When is the deadline?
The stated deadline is 22 October 2026.
Final Thoughts
This OHCHR internship provides an opportunity for students and recent graduates interested in human rights, international relations, law, political science and UN mechanisms to gain practical exposure to the Universal Periodic Review process.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. We are not affiliated with OHCHR or the United Nations and are only sharing the publicly advertised opportunity. Applicants should verify the vacancy and application requirements through the official UN careers system before applying.
Keywords: UN OHCHR internship 2026, OHCHR internship Geneva, UN internships 2026, UPR internship, Universal Periodic Review internship, human rights internship, Geneva internships, United Nations internships, OHCHR careers
Also Check
Eskom Non-Technical Degree Bursary Programme – Grade 12 Applicants (2027 intake)
Magalies Water Bursary 2026: Who Qualified, What Was Required, and How to Prepare for the Next Intake
African Development Bank Internship 2027 is now open: Fully Funded Internship Opportunity for Young Africans
Follow Us On Our Social Media Platforms
WhatsApp Group:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/CculATjfuTNKDISQGtP0uw?s=cl&p=a&mlu=4&ilr=4
WhatsApp Channel:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7isAg6buMKEWUmte0K
Facebook Page:
