Africa Division Intern (Great Lakes region)

Africa Division Intern

Application Deadline: 28 August 2026

The Africa Division of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking an undergraduate student intern based in the Nairobi office. The intern will focus on HRW projects surrounding the Great Lakes region, including Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda. Ideally, the intern will be available part-time, for a minimum of 20 hours per week, beginning November 2026 through January 2027 (dates and times are flexible).

Responsibilities:

The internship will consist primarily of:

1. Monitoring the press and compiling reports on news from the Great Lakes region;
2. Supporting on research assignments, data management, and analysis;
3. Drafting documents regarding issues in the Great Lakes region;
4. Attending and supporting in the planning of substantive internal and external meetings; and
5. Other projects may be assigned as they arise and match the student's interests and abilities.

Students may also have opportunities to attend lectures, trainings, professional development workshops, and/or 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:

1. The intern must be an undergraduate student for the duration of the internship term.
2. Applicants should be well-organized, self-motivated and reliable, with strong attention to detail.
3. A strong interest in human rights and a firm understanding of the human rights situation in the Great Lakes are essential.
4. Relevant coursework is highly desirable. 
5. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English is required. 
6. Excellent verbal and written command of Kiswahili and French is preferred.
7. Computer skills (Microsoft Office, Excel, internet applications) and internet research skills are essential.

Applicants who are offered an internship must possess valid work authorization in Kenya for the duration of the internship.

Compensation: Internship compensation varies by jurisdiction based on local laws and HRW policy. Interns in Kenya will receive a gross monthly stipend of KES 30,000 per month, which will be pro-rated based on internship hours, to help offset living expenses in accordance with HRW policy. Students are often able to arrange academic credit, as HRW internships may offer direct exposure to the workings of an international human rights organization, close supervision by HRW staff, and interaction with other international organizations and foreign and domestic government officials. Students should check with their individual academic institutions for requirements. 

How to Apply: Please apply immediately by visiting our online job portal at: https://careers.hrw.org and attaching a CV/resume, letter of interest/cover letter, a brief writing sample (unedited by others), preferably as PDF Files. No calls or email inquiries, please. Only complete applications will be reviewed. Due to the large number of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted further.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application submission, please email internships@hrw.org. Due to the large response, application submissions via email will not be accepted and inquiries regarding the status of applications will go unanswered.

Human Rights Watch is strong because it is diverse. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Human Rights Watch does not discriminate on the basis of disability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal record. We welcome all kinds of diversity. Our employees include people who are parents and nonparents, the self-taught and university educated, and from a wide span of socio-economic backgrounds and perspectives on the world. Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer.

Human Rights Watch is an international human rights monitoring and advocacy organization known for its in-depth investigations, its incisive and timely reporting, its innovative and high-profile advocacy campaigns, and its success in changing the human rights-related policies and practices of influential governments and international institutions.