The Advocacy and Communications Departments of Human Rights Watch (HRW) are currently seeking a student intern for its Paris office. Ideally, the intern will be available for 6 months, starting in January 2023.
Due to COVID-19, many of our offices remain closed or are open at a limited capacity. HRW prioritizes the safety of our interns. In locations that have eased office restrictions and are open at a limited capacity, interns are not expected to report to the office and remote arrangements will remain an option for the foreseeable future. However, interns may have the option of reporting to an office on a voluntary basis in accordance with HRW’s COVID-19 policies.
Responsibilities The student will intern closely with members of the Advocacy and Communications team, especially the France Director, the Advocacy Coordinator and the Communications Coordinator in Paris. The internship will primarily focus the following activities :
Advocacy:
Monitoring official statements and developments on thematic and geographic issues;
Distributing press releases and talking points to relevant authorities;
Helping organize and attending meetings with decision makers and NGOs, and drafting meeting reports to ensure reporting and follow up;
Conducting desk research and drafting various advocacy documents;
Drafting memos and briefing documents;
Maintaining the “decision-maker” contact database; and
Translating documents from and to French and English
Communications:
Assist in drafting posts for social media to promote HRW’s publications in French;
Assist in organizing events on social media such as Twitter Spaces or Instagram Lives;
Monitor other organizations’ and media’s publications on social media and help strategize our own publications;
Monitor media coverage for HRW’s publications in French media;
Assist in updating our press lists and research journalists who are covering certain topics;
Assist in pitching HRW press releases and reports to journalists; and
Assist in organizing press conferences and media briefings.
This internship is best suited for individuals interested in gaining experience within a small office of a large, well-organized, international non-profit organization. In order to provide a valuable and well-rounded internship experience, interns may attend planning and department staff meetings and may have the opportunity to attend in-house trainings and briefings. Students will also have opportunities to attend lectures, trainings, professional development workshops, special events relating to human rights, as well as network with other HRW interns, volunteers, and employees. As an HRW intern, students will take skills acquired in school and apply them in a professional setting.
Qualifications:
Currently enrolled Master Degree student (Bac +4 or +5) studying Geopolitics, Political Science, International Relations, International Law, Journalism, or any other related fields are highly preferred;
Perfect command of French (oral and written) and advanced English skills are required;
Knowledge of French and international media and institutions and the French association landscape is essential;
Some experience in an association and/or experience abroad is an added value; and
Well-organized, self-motivated, and reliable applicants with a strong interest in human rights are highly preferred
