The New York Office of the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) seeks a team of four interns to monitor and write analytical reports on the human rights meetings taking place during the next session of the General Assembly at United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York. The internship will take place from October 2009 through mid-January 2010.

The internship offers an opportunity to view the UN human rights system at work in New York. It provides hands-on experience working for an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) as well as the opportunity to contribute to the services the organisation provides to human rights defenders around the world.

Interns will focus on the work of the General Assembly (GA) - the highest level UN body covering human rights and humanitarian issues. Issues monitored may include: Women’s Rights, Minorities and Religious Intolerance, the Right to Self Determination, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Racism and Racial Discrimination, Administration of Justice, Rights of the Child, Promotion of Human Rights, and Human Rights Violations in Countries.

The intern's main responsibilities are to:

1. Coordinate with the intern team to attend and monitor UN plenary sessions and informal discussions on GA resolutions and provide summaries of developments to ISHR UN Representatives.
2. Prepare analytical narrative reports on meetings for the web-based and print journal, the Human Rights Monitor.
3. Liaise with relevant diplomats, NGOs, and UN experts to obtain information to make the necessary analysis to write reports. Research previous GA resolutions and Human Rights Council resolutions on agenda items to analyse developments from previous years.
4. Assist in preparation and organisation of ISHR expert briefings.
5. Attend and report on other relevant side events, including those organised by NGOs and UN agencies.

Click here for more information.

Qualifications:

• Exceptional writing skills in English.
• Ability to work as a member of a team.
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
• Knowledge of international human rights bodies and processes.
  

Applicants should send a resume and a cover letter with "General Assembly Internship" in the subject line to Mary Mercadante at mary.mercadante@gmail.com Due to the number of applications received, confirmation of your application or answer to individual queries regarding your application is not possible.

Email from Michelle Evans to the Communication Initiative on June 16 2009.