Development & Outreach Intern

Development & Outreach Department

Application Deadline: 30 June 2026

The Development and Outreach Department of Human Rights Watch ("HRW") is seeking an intern in our Geneva office. This three-month internship will be full-time, maximum 35 hours per week. Ideally, the candidate will be available starting in mid-September 2026 to mid-December 2026, dates and times are flexible.

This internship is best suited for those individuals interested in gaining development and fundraising experience in a large, well-organized, international non-profit organization. The intern will gain knowledge and skills in research, database management, event management, and fundraising. The intern will also learn about the organization's priority human rights issues. In order to provide a valuable and well-rounded internship experience, the intern will attend planning and department meetings with staff and will have the opportunity to take advantage of in-house trainings and briefings.

Responsibilities: The internship will focus on event planning in the lead-up to our biggest fundraising event of the year, HRW Geneva’s 2026 Annual Dinner, taking place on Thursday, 5 November 2026. Tasks will include:

1. Assisting with annual dinner logistics;


2. Editing creative materials and liaising with event vendors;


3. Writing acknowledgment letters and other correspondence;


4. Supporting the team with coordination of donor communication and outreach efforts; and


5. Using databases and conducting desk research for development and outreach projects.

Students will also have opportunities to attend online lectures, training courses, professional development workshops, 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:

1. Applicants enrolled in an undergraduate-level academic program for the duration of the internship are highly preferred.


2. In some circumstances, applicants can be recent graduates of their first degree (such as a Bachelor’s degree) who will be pursuing an advanced degree (such as a master’s or law degree).


3. Strong oral and written communication skills in both French and English are required.


4. Computer skills (Microsoft Office suite and Internet applications) are required.


5. Previous internship experience preferred but not mandatory.


6. Applicants should demonstrate great attention to detail, a positive attitude, a proactive approach, and excellent organizational skills. 


7. Successful applicants will be disciplined self-starters who can intern independently but also function as a team member.


8. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to human rights and/or international issues and the ability to master and represent the mission and program of HRW.

Applicants who are offered an internship, but who are not Swiss or EU citizens or permanent residents, must possess valid work authorization in Switzerland for the duration of the internship.

Compensation: Internship compensation varies by jurisdiction based on local laws and HRW policy. Interns in Switzerland will receive a gross monthly stipend of CHF 1,550 per month, 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 the 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 attach a CV/resume, letter of interest/cover letter, and 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 [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.

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 disability, 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 organization that monitors and advocates. It is 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.