The International Justice Program of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking second and third-year law student 2019 fall semester internship in the New York office. Ideally, the intern will be available for a minimum of 12 hours per week beginning in September 2019 until December 2019. The internship at Human Rights Watch will primarily focus on monitoring international justice in a targeted country. Further, the intern will conduct desk research and draft papers on issues of international justice. With the Internship at Human Rights Watch, the intern will gain knowledge of international courts and international justice mechanisms as well as build skills in legal research, writing, and advocacy.

Benefits

Internships at Human Rights Watch are unpaid. However, students may be able to arrange academic credit, as Human Rights Watch internships often offer direct exposure to the workings of an international human rights organization, close supervision by HRW staff, and interaction with the other US and international organizations. Students should check with their individual academic institutions for requirements.

Students will also have opportunities to attend lectures, training, 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.

Responsibilities

The intern will learn and be exposed to:

• Conducting legal research;
• Likewise, Analyzing international law;
• Further, Reviewing and documenting media reports on relevant issues;
• Monitoring developments at the International Criminal Court;
• Similarly, conducting policy analysis of ongoing international justice developments;
• Identifying and understanding key issues in international justice;
• Also, compiling case research;
• Drafting advocacy-style documents that will be used internally and as background for advocacy projects;
• Moreover, gaining familiarity with the Rome Statute;
• Developing greater attention to detail through footnoting and fact-checking;
• Presenting information in a compelling manner in internal drafts; and
• Close supervision and evaluation sessions to provide feedback and support.

Additional opportunities:

• Direct exposure to the workings of a large, international human rights organization;
• Induction training on the internal working of HRW;
• Access to HRW materials and publications;
• Attending select in-house events such as speaker series events and other events organized within the organization, particularly for the interns;
• Attending internal staff meetings and outside meetings and events related to the human rights field; and
• Academic credit (students should check with their individual academic institutions for requirements).

Qualifications:

• Enrollment in an accredited, degree-granting law program (either an LLB, LLM, JD, or other relevant law degrees) for the duration of the internship term;
• Likewise, Strong interest in international criminal justice and a demonstrated commitment to human rights and/or international issues is highly desirable;
• Relevant coursework is highly preferred;
• Also, Knowledge of French is a plus; and
• Computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, internet applications) are essential.

How To Apply

Please apply immediately by visiting the online job portal. Also, you will require attaching a resume, letter of interest, and unedited legal writing sample, such as a memo or briefing paper (max. 6,000 characters). However, Human Rights Watch will receive no calls or email inquiries. Only complete applications will be reviewed and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

However, due to the large response, Human Rights Watch will not accept application submissions via email.

Deadline

Applicants must submit their candidature by June 16, 2019.