Africa Division Intern

at Human Rights Watch 

Africa Division Intern

Application Deadline: 15 July 2021

The Africa Division of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking a University student intern to be based in its Johannesburg Office. The intern will focus on the internal conflict affecting the Cabo Delgado Province in Mozambique. Ideally, the intern will be available for a minimum of 10-15 hours per week from August to December 2021.

Due to COVID-19, many of our offices remain closed or are open at a limited capacity. HRW prioritizes the safety of our interns. In locations that have eased office restrictions and are open at a limited capacity, interns are not expected to report to the office and remote arrangements will remain an option for the foreseeable future. However, interns may have the option of reporting to an office on a voluntary basis in accordance with HRW’s COVID-19 policies.

Responsibilities:

The internship will consist primarily of press monitoring and compiling reports on news relating to Mozambique, specifically news related to the crisis in Cabo Delgado. Other responsibilities may include small research assignments, data management and analysis, drafting documents regarding issues in Cabo Delgado Province.  The intern’s duties may also include attending external meetings. Other projects may be assigned as they arise that match the student’s interests and abilities.

Students will also have opportunities to attend virtual lectures, trainings, professional development workshops, and/or 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.

Qualifications:

The intern must be a student for the duration of the internship term. Applicants should be well-organized, self-motivated, and reliable, with strong attention to detail. A strong interest in human rights, specifically concerning the SADC region, is essential. Relevant coursework is highly desirable. Computer skills (Microsoft Office, Excel, internet applications) and internet research skills are essential. Proficient reading and writing abilities in Portuguese is preferable.

Applicants must have valid authorization to intern in South Africa.

Compensation: Interns will receive a gross monthly stipend of R 6,000 per month, which will be pro-rated based on the number of hours they are in the “office”, to help offset living expenses in accordance with HRW policy. Students are often able to arrange academic credit, as HRW internships may 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.

How to Apply

Please apply immediately by visiting our online job portal at: https://careers.hrw.org and attaching a CV/resume, letter of interest/cover letter, a brief writing sample.

No calls or email inquiries, please. Only complete applications will be reviewed. Due to the large number of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted further.

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

Human Rights Watch is strong because it is diverse. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Human Rights Watch does not discriminate on the basis of ability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal record. 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.