UN Advocacy Internship (Summer 2016)

IMADR is looking for a full-time intern for the period of three months starting on 1st June 2016.

International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR) is an international non-profit, non-governmental human rights organisation devoted to eliminating discrimination and racism, forging international solidarity among discriminated minorities and advancing the international human rights system. It was founded in 1988 by one of the Japan’s largest minorities, Buraku people. IMADR has grown to be a global network of concerned individuals and minority groups with regional committees and partners in Asia, Europe, North and Latin America.

Aim:

The aim of our internship programme is to provide human rights activists or students interested or committed in working on human rights issues, in particular in combatting racism and racial discrimination, with on-the-job training opportunities to familiarise themselves with the UN human rights mechanism. Through the internship, s/he will be involved in the work of IMADR at the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) and advocacy work on Sri Lanka at the Human Rights Council. The Geneva office is a small office with one full-time staff member, therefore the intern will have an opportunity to carry out responsible work.

Period: June to August 2016

Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Role: Assisting the Geneva office at the 32nd session of the Human Rights Council (HRC, 13 June – 1 July) and the 90th session of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD, 2-26 August).

Duties:

1. Assisting human rights defenders in advocacy at the UN human rights system.
2. Taking notes during the HRC session including meetings and side-events.
3. Assisting in organising side-events at the HRC session.
4. Monitoring the 90th session of the CERD.
5. Preparing news items and advocacy tools of/ for the CERD and HRC, i.e. oral statements, written submissions and analysis of the CERD.
6. Assisting in admin work/basic documentation.

Qualifications:

Essential

• Bachelors or Master’s degree in human rights, law, international relations or relevant areas.
• Strong communications skills in English.
• Good team-working and research skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Strong computer skills (Microsoft Office, Outlook and internet).
• Interest and knowledge of issues relating to racial discrimination, i.e. minority rights, indigenous rights, multiple discrimination, discrimination based on work and descent.

Desirable

• Knowledge of French or Spanish.
• Knowledge of the UN human rights mechanisms, in particular the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) and its monitoring body (CERD), and the Human Rights Council.
• Experience of working in the NGO environment.

Financial and other forms of assistance:

IMADR is currently not in a position to remunerate this internship or apply for a visa. Although we do not provide any kind of accommodation coverage, our office can help her/him to find lodging in Geneva upon request. Monthly transportation allowance within Geneva and lunch will be covered. S/he must be able to commit for a minimum of 35 hours per week for 3 months, be a Swiss/ EU national or hold a valid permit which allows staying and undertaking internship in Switzerland.

HOW TO APPLY:

Applicants must submit their CV, a brief cover letter with a short English writing sample not edited by others to Taisuke Komatsu (Mr.), geneva[@]imadr.org (remove “[]” when you send application) . Please use “UN Advocacy Internship” in the subject line of your e-mail. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Deadline: Applications should be submitted via email by Tuesday 19th April 2016. Interviews will take place between 21st and 25th April at the IMADR Geneva office or via Skype.