Volunteer Internship

On-site
Geneva, Genève, Switzerland

Job description

UN WATCH VOLUNTEER INTERNSHIPS

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is UN Watch?

UN Watch is a non-governmental organization (NGO) in Geneva, Switzerland whose mission is to monitor the performance of the United Nations according to the yardstick of its Charter and to protect human rights for all. UN Watch believes in strengthening the role of democracies within the UN and in the Charter’s guarantee of equal treatment for all nations large and small. UN Watch is at the forefront in the struggle against anti-Semitism and anti-Israel bias at the UN. For more information, please visit www.unwatch.org.

Does UN Watch offer paid internships?

No, unfortunately, UN Watch cannot offer a salary to interns due to visa complications. The only internships we offer are on a volunteer basis. Interns must find their own funding for travel, health insurance, daily living, lodging and all other costs. Geneva is an expensive city.

Are scholarships available for UN Watch interns?
Yes, a limited number of scholarships are available to top internship applicants. More information will be provided to eligible applicants during the interview process.

When are UN Watch internships available, and for how long do they last?

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. You should normally apply at least six months in advance, by filling out the application form provided at the bottom, indicating your desired dates. Internships typically last between 2 to 3 months. Internship dates must overlap with one of the three annual sessions of the UN Human Rights Council, each March, June, and September.

Is it possible to intern remotely?

Yes, but only if you are within one timezone of UN Watch's office in Geneva (CET). This means that we unfortunately cannot take remote interns from the US or Canada. UN Watch accepts remote interns dependent either on the preference of the applicant or the availability of spaces in the Geneva office. Remote interns perform nearly all of the same tasks as those physically in Geneva given that many of the UN's activities can be followed online.

What are an intern’s activities and responsibilities?

The activities and responsibilities of an intern typically include a broad range of substantive and administrative research functions, and may depend on the skill set and background of the applicant. Substantive responsibilities can include research and writing of reports, drafting correspondence, monitoring and reporting on meetings at the UN, attending and reporting on meetings with diplomats and UN officials, fact-checking and taking notes. Interns also participate in all administrative responsibilities, which regularly include website maintenance, answering telephones, making photocopies and filing, events support and other office tasks.

Does UN Watch have offices outside Geneva?

The only office in which internships are offered is in Geneva, opposite the European headquarters of the United Nations.

Job requirements

To qualify, applicants must have:

at least one year of university studies;
a strong interest in international relations or human rights;
excellent English writing ability, preferably demonstrated by publications;
a demonstrable commitment to the UN Watch mission;
interest in combating antisemitism and anti-Israel bias;
ability to work in a small, team-oriented environment operating under strict deadlines, flexibility, patience, initiative, and intellectual curiosity.

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Questions

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Citizenship(s):

Place of Birth:

Date of Birth:

University:

Degree/Major(s):

Graduation Year:

Grade Point Average:

SAT/ACT Score:

Please indicate when you would be available for the internship.

Disciplinary Action: Have you, during your high school studies, university career, or army service, incurred serious disciplinary action? Have you ever been dismissed or suspended from school or the army, placed on probation, or voluntarily absent for an extended period?

'No'

Yes

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, please explain:

Awards and Honors: List academic and non-academic honors or distinctions.

How did you hear about the UN Watch Volunteer Internship?

Please describe your experience and skills in social media:

Have you been active, as an intern or otherwise, in organizations concerned with human rights, government or international relations? If yes, give a brief description of how and when you were involved.

Why are you applying? What do you hope to achieve by volunteering as an intern with UN Watch? (300 words or less)

If given the choice, what specific issues would you be interested in focusing on during the period of your internship? (200 words or less)

What do you intend to do after your internship? How will you use the knowledge and training that you receive? (200 words or less)

Read carefully the following UN Watch article: “The Struggle Against Anti-Israel Bias at the UN Commission on Human Rights.” (https://www.unwatch.org/9009-2/) Then answer the following questions: Is UN Watch different than other major NGOs dealing with the UN and human rights? How so? What makes you choose UN Watch over other organizations? Discuss. (300 words or less)

Feel free to include any other relevant information that would not otherwise be reflected in your application package.

Since as a volunteer intern you will receive no remuneration, how will you afford to cover your living, lodging, health insurance and other costs? Will you be sponsored to participate in the internship, and if so, by whom?

I hereby present my candidacy for a UN Watch Volunteer Internship, and affirm that all of the information I have submitted is truthful and accurate. I have thoroughly familiarized myself with the aims and activities of UN Watch, and I am committed to faithfully carry them out in my capacity as a volunteer intern. I am aware that as a volunteer intern I will receive no remuneration, and will be required to pay for my own living, lodging, health insurance and all other costs related to my internship.