Applications call for the Middle East & North Africa Division Internship at Human Rights Watch for the spring 2021 semester in either the New York or Washington D.C. office. The selected candidate will intern closely with the Middle East and North Africa division associates and researchers. Ideally, the intern will be available for at least 20 hours a week for three months, starting in mid-January 2021.

Responsibilities

Interns undertaking the Middle East & North Africa Division Internship at Human Rights Watch will do the following tasks

• Research: The intern will be given various short-term and long-term desk research assignments using sources in English, Arabic, or other regional languages.. The research will focus on a range of human rights and humanitarian law abuses across the Middle East and North Africa region. The intern may help HRW staff conduct phone interviews with victims of and witnesses to human rights violations under close staff supervision and guidance. The intern will also contribute to the production and release of reports and press releases.
• Monitoring and Advocacy: The intern will focus on monitoring and summarizing MENA political and policy developments. The intern may also have the opportunity to attend internal and/or external advocacy strategy meetings.
• Other assignments and projects will be assigned as the opportunity arises.

Qualifications 

Applicants must have the following qualifications for Middle East & North Africa Division Internship at Human Rights Watch

• Students in law, social studies, international relations, political science, or related subjects with strong writing and research skills.
• Must be enrolled students for the duration of the internship term. Excellent oral and written command of English and Arabic is essential.
• Should demonstrate precise attention to detail, conscientiousness about checking one’s own work, a positive attitude, a proactive approach, and good judgment.
• Should be well-organized, self-motivated, and reliable with a strong interest in human rights and some familiarity with the current situation in the MENA region. Computer skills (i.e., Microsoft Office, internet applications) are required.

Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch is an international non-profitable organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights. Basically, the group pressures some governments, policymakers and human rights abusers to denounce abuse and respect human rights; and the group often works on behalf of refugees, children, migrants, and political prisoners. It has a headquarter in the Empire State Building in New York City, United States of America.

COVID-19 Notice 

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.