The intern, under the general guidance of a primary supervisor, will be assigned to the Indigenous Peoples and Minorities Section (IPMS), located in the Rule of Law, Equality and Non-Discrimination Branch (ROLENDB), based in Geneva, Switzerland. The Indigenous Peoples and Minorities Section works to improve human rights protection for Indigenous Peoples and minorities at the international and national levels through strategies such as strengthening relevant legislation, policies and practices, as well as through undertaking capacity building activities, while promoting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities and other key human rights standards.  

• To qualify for the United Nations Secretariat Internship Programme, applicants must, at the time of submission, be a graduate or enrolled in a graduate school programme (i.e. Master's degree or equivalent degree, or higher) or, be a graduate or enrolled in the final academic year of a first-level university degree programme (i.e. Bachelor's degree or equivalent degree) preferably in the area of law, political science, international relations, social sciences or a related field, OR have graduated with a university degree as defined above AND, if selected, must commence the internship on the date specified in the Acceptance letter.
• Excellent communication and drafting skills, strong analytical and research skills, knowledge of human rights principles and international human rights mechanisms.
• No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Secretariat Internship Programme. However, a field of study that is closely related to the type of internship that you are applying for is required.
• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship fluency in English is required (both oral and written), knowledge of French is an asset. Knowledge of another United Nations official language would be an advantage (i.e. Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish). Knowledge of a minority or indigenous language would also be an advantage.