UN Development and Human Rights Intern

Position Title	UN Development and Human Rights Intern
Organization	Global Forum of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (GFoD)
Location	New York, United States
Modality	New York-based; in-person or hybrid (flexible based on academic requirements and programme needs)
Duration	One academic semester (approximately 3–4 months), aligned with university term; renewable by mutual agreement
Time Commitment	Approximately 10–16 hours per week with a flexible schedule
Compensation	Non-remunerated internship supporting university credit, academic training, or experiential learning; limited pre-approved expenses may be reimbursed
Application Deadline	15 July 2026

Background

The Global Forum of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (GFoD) works to advance the rights, dignity, and visibility of communities discriminated against on the basis of work and descent — including Dalit communities and others affected by caste and analogous systems of inherited social exclusion in South Asia, parts of Africa, the diaspora, and elsewhere.

An estimated 260 million people worldwide live with this form of discrimination, which limits their access to education, decent work, justice, land, and political participation, and too often exposes them to segregation and violence.

GFoD connects affected communities and grassroots movements with international human rights processes. A large part of this happens in and around United Nations Headquarters in New York: engaging with civil society forums and advocacy spaces, contributing to processes such as the ECOSOC Youth Forum, the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), and the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), and organizing and supporting side events alongside permanent missions and allied civil society organizations.

This internship is offered to a student who wants direct, hands-on experience in international human rights advocacy, and who is looking to undertake an accompanying internship as part of their studies. It is built first as a genuine learning experience, with real responsibilities and a close-up view of how advocacy actually works at the UN.

Purpose of the Internship

The intern will support the NGO's day-to-day work across research, advocacy, communications, and the coordination of events and forums connected to United Nations Headquarters in New York.
This internship role is for someone who wants to learn by doing. The intern will produce work that feeds directly into GFoD's advocacy, and will have the chance to be in the room — and, for those who want it, to speak — in international advocacy spaces.

Duration, Time Commitment, and Modality

Duration

The internship runs for one academic semester, roughly three to four months, normally aligned with the dates of the intern's university term. It can be extended or renewed by mutual agreement (for example into a second semester or across the summer).

Time Commitment

We anticipate approximately 10 to 16 hours per week. The schedule is flexible and is set together with the intern around their classes and deadlines, with the deliberate aim of a workload that is meaningful but realistic alongside full-time, unpaid study.

Hours tend to cluster around specific moments — for example, the days surrounding a forum or side event — and are lighter at other times.

Modality

This is a New York-based internship built around in-person participation, with flexible remote support for tasks that do not need to be done on site.

Much of the research, writing, and communications work can be carried out remotely, but the intern is expected to take part in person on a regular basis — in particular for meetings, civil society forums, and side events in and around United Nations Headquarters, where some tasks, such as on-the-day event support, can only be done on site.

Applicants who need the internship to satisfy a specific academic requirement — including a minimum number of in-person or on-site hours — should tell us, and we will structure the placement to meet it where we can.

Duties and Responsibilities

Working closely with GFoD, the intern will:

• Research human rights, labor rights, and discrimination based on work and descent, including caste and analogous systems, and turn that research into material the team can use.
• Draft briefs, summaries, concept notes, talking points, and background documents.
• Support GFoD's advocacy and contribute to policy analysis, including tracking relevant developments across UN and intergovernmental processes such as:
  • ECOSOC Youth Forum
  • Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)
  • High-Level Political Forum (HLPF)
• Flag opportunities for engagement.
• Help plan and run meetings, civil society forums, and side events in and around UN Headquarters in New York.
• Provide practical, on-the-day technical and logistical support including:
  • Audiovisual and presentation management
  • Registration
  • Speaker coordination
  • Note-taking
• Represent GFoD at meetings and forums where appropriate.
• Deliver interventions or participate in panels for those interested in public speaking.
• Develop communications and social media content.
• Map stakeholders across the UN system, civil society, and international organizations.
• Provide general coordination and administrative support to the Secretariat.

Expected Outputs

Over a semester, the intern may be expected to:

• Produce research briefs or background notes on assigned topics.
• Provide hands-on support for at least one or two side events or forums.
• Deliver a stakeholder map relevant to GFoD priorities.
• Build a body of communications or social media content.

Required Qualifications

Applicants should have:

• Current enrollment in or a background in:
  • International Relations
  • Human Rights
  • Development Studies
  • Public Policy
  • Labor Rights
  • Social Justice
  • Law
  • Related disciplines
• Strong writing and research skills.Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.Excellent attention to detail.Familiarity with:
  • Microsoft Office
  • Google Workspace
  • Canva
  • Zoom
• A genuine interest in marginalized communities and international advocacy.

Desired Skills

Preference will be given to candidates with:

• Previous experience in research, advocacy, communications, or event coordination.
• Familiarity with UN human rights mechanisms.
• Social media, content creation, or design skills.
• Interest in public speaking and advocacy.
• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Multilingual abilities.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the internship, participants will gain:

• Deeper understanding of human rights and discrimination based on work and descent.
• Practical experience in research, advocacy, policy analysis, and communications.
• Exposure to international advocacy spaces and UN-related events.
• Enhanced professional skills in writing, stakeholder engagement, and event coordination.
• Expanded networks across civil society, international organizations, and the UN system.

Compensation and Expenses

This is a non-remunerated internship intended to support academic credit, training, or experiential learning.

While no salary or stipend is provided, limited pre-approved expenses, such as local travel related to GFoD activities, may be reimbursed upon prior approval.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit:

• CV/Resume
• A short note explaining:
  • Why they are interested in the internship
  • General availability
  • Weekly hours they can commit
  • Whether they are seeking academic credit
  • Any programme requirements (including in-person hour requirements)
  • Languages spoken

Application Email
carla@globalforumcdwd.org

Deadline
15 July 2026

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Equality, inclusion, and non-discrimination are central to GFoD's mission. Applications are welcomed from candidates of all backgrounds, with particular encouragement for members of communities discriminated against on work and descent and other marginalized or underrepresented groups.

GFoD does not discriminate on the basis of caste, descent, race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, age, or any other status protected by applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants and interns who require them.