Work LocationGeneva Expected duration3-6 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe establishment of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Sri Lanka Accountability Project (OSLap) by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, followed the adoption of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) resolution 46/1 on 23 March 2021. Recognising \"the importance of preserving and analysing evidence relating to violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes in Sri Lanka with a view to advancing accountability,\" the HRC strengthened the capacity of the OHCHR to “collect, consolidate, analyse, and preserve information and evidence, to develop possible strategies for future accountability processes for gross violations of human rights or serious violations of international humanitarian law, to advocate for victims and survivors, and to support relevant judicial and other proceedings, including in Member States with competent jurisdiction”. This announcement broadcast international internship assignments based in the OHCHR Sri Lanka Accountability project (OSLap), which is located within OHCHR’s Inquiries Branch. OSLap is responsible for preserving and analysing evidence and information relating to violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes in Sri Lanka with a view to advancing accountability. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, under the general guidance or supervision of the Head of Project, the intern will work in coordination with different members of the project as required and reports to the Gender Advisor of the project in the area of assignment. This internship is an UNPAID and full-time engagement that provides a framework through which students from diverse academic backgrounds gain exposure to the work of the United Nations by way of their service within Secretariat entities. Applicants should have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations with a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter, and have the demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs - which includes willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views. THE UNITED NATIONS IS COMMITTED TO BUILDING A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE WORKFORCE AND WELCOMES APPLICANTS FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS AND COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO MIGRANTS AND/OR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. APPLICANTS SHOULD INDICATE THEIR PRESENT MATRICULATION STATUS AND PERIOD OF AVAILABILITY IN THE APPLICATION COVER LETTER. RESPONSIBILITIES: The intern shall support OHCHR in fulfilling its mission: to work for the protection of all human rights for all people; to help empower people to realize their rights; and to assist those responsible for upholding such rights in ensuring that they are implemented. Daily responsibilities of the Sri Lanka Accountability project INTERN will depend on the individual's background and duties and may include but would not be limited to assisting with tasks relating to: • Conduct desk research on existing national and international accountability frameworks for sexual violence (e.g., international criminal law, domestic legislation, and international human rights mechanisms) as applicable to Sri Lanka. • Conduct desk research on a variety of human rights-related subject matters, including of relevant historical and political contexts. • Gather and summarize information from UN agencies, NGOs, and academic publications related to accountability for sexual violence in Sri Lanka. • Assist in maintaining an up-to-date repository of resources, reports, and research materials related to human rights violations in Sri Lanka. • Support the planning and coordination of events and other activities carried out by the Project. • Catalogue information and analyse data. • Research and analyse open-source materials. • Help research specific areas of core international crimes. • Perform other related duties requested by the supervisor, as appropriate. Qualifications/special skillsTo qualify for the United Nations Secretariat internship programme, applicants must, at the time of submission, be enrolled in a graduate school programme (i.e. Master’s degree or equivalent degree, or higher) or 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, public international law, human rights law, humanitarian law, criminal law, gender studies or 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. APPLICANTS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAMME. To be a graduate or enrolled in a graduate school programme (i.e. Master's degree or equivalent degree, or higher) or, 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 public international law, human rights law, humanitarian law, criminal law, gender studies or related field is required. Please explain how you meet this requirement. Please explain your level of fluency in drafting skills in English, providing examples. Have you ever dealt with sensitive data and confidential information? Please explain. Candidates for the UN Internship Programme are required to cover the cost of travel including visa, accommodation, health insurance and other living expenses for the duration of the internship. Will you be able to cover all the above-mentioned expenses? Have you completed a UN Internship before? If yes, please include the UN entity as well as concrete dates. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship fluency in English is required, knowledge of Tamil or Sinhala would be an advantage. Additional InformationNot available. Intern Specific textInterns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.