Middle East & North Africa Division Intern

The internship is unpaid.  Students are often able to arrange academic credit, as HRW internships often offer direct exposure to the workings of an international human rights organization, close supervision by the HRW staff, interaction with international organizations and foreign and domestic government officials, and opportunities to attend lectures, trainings and special events relating to human rights. Students should check with their individual academic institutions for requirements.

Responsibilities

The internship will focus on the following:

Research: The interns will conduct various short and long-term desk research assignments using sources in English and Arabic. The interns may help HRW staff conduct phone and/or in person interviews with victims of and witnesses to human rights violations under close staff supervision and guidance. The interns may have opportunities to attend conferences and events in Beirut related to ongoing projects. The interns will use databases and contribute to the production and release of reports and press releases.

Monitoring and Advocacy: The interns will monitor and summarize political and policy developments in Syria and Lebanon. The interns may have opportunities to attend internal advocacy strategy meetings.

Other assignments and projects will be assigned as they arise.

Qualifications

This internship is open to graduates or students in law, social studies, international relations, political science, or related subjects with strong writing and research skills. Excellent oral and written command of English and Arabic are essential.  Applicants should demonstrate precise attention to detail, a positive attitude, a proactive approach, and good judgment.  Applicants should be well-organized, self-motivated, and reliable with a strong interest in human rights and some familiarity with Syrian and Lebanese politics.  Computer skills (i.e., Microsoft Office, internet applications) are required. Applicants must have valid authorization to intern in Lebanon.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application submission, please email [email protected]. Due to the large response, application submissions via email will not be accepted and inquiries regarding the status of applications will go unanswered.

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Human Rights Watch is strong because it is diverse. We do not discriminate in hiring practices and actively seek a diverse applicant pool. We encourage candidates of all abilities, ages, gender identities and expressions, national origins, races and ethnicities, religious beliefs, sexual orientations, and those with criminal records to apply. We welcome all kinds of diversity. Our employees include people who are parents and nonparents, the self-taught and university educated, and from a wide span of socio-economic backgrounds and perspectives on the world. Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer.

Human Rights Watch is an international human rights monitoring and advocacy organization known for its in-depth investigations, its incisive and timely reporting, its innovative and high-profile advocacy campaigns, and its success in changing the human rights-related policies and practices of influential governments and international institutions.