Apply by: November 13, 2015
Organization: UPR - Info
UPR Info has been working with interns since its creation. In total, more than 40 interns have been part of our internship programme, for a length from three months to six months, either full time or part time. Interns are of great importance to UPR Info and are given important responsibilities. They are fully involved in the work of the organisation and produce meaningful and useful work
Who We Are
UPR Info is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation (NGO) with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and two regional offices: in Bangkok, Thailand, for Asia and in Nairobi, Kenya, for Africa. The organisation’s main goal is to ensure all stakeholders seize the opportunity and engage in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Process as an effective political mechanism to advance the realization of human rights on the ground. UPR Info objectives are: (1) to raise awareness by providing capacity-building tools to the different actors of the UPR process, such as United Nations (UN) Member States, NGOs, National Human Rights Institutions and civil society, and (2) to support an inclusive and effective participation of relevant constituencies throughout UPR cycles.
Created in February 2008, UPR Info is currently composed of four staff members in its Geneva office and, since May 2015, two Regional Representatives for Asia and Africa. The organisation has held Special Consultative status with ECOSOC since 2012.
Since the inception of the UPR mechanism in April 2008, UPR Info is the first and only organisation in the world focusing specifically on the UPR process. The organisation’s extensive experience in this area is unique as it addresses all human rights issues and all countries without discrimination or politicization, and this knowledge is widely recognised by actors such United Nations agencies, UN Member States, NGOs, NHRIs and academics. Indeed, as an impartial, non-advocacy NGO, UPR Info has the rare opportunity to work together with civil society and governments, and occupies a niche by bringing these actors together and building trust among them.
UPR Info Asia: Responding to Gaps
According to UPR Info 2014 “Beyond Promises” Report assessing the impact of the UPR on the ground, Asia represents the region with the highest rate of UPR recommendations not being implemented (63%), experiencing a very low rate of UPR recommendations being fully implemented (11%). The main reasons identified for such a low implementation rate lie in: (1) the lack of knowledge about the UPR process among key stakeholders; (2) UPR recommendations were not specific and therefore could not be fully implemented; (3) limited space for civil society voices to be heard before the review as the NGO submission remains the sole entry point for CSO engagement in the UPR process.
As a result, expanding UPR Info’s mandate in Asia became critical in order to:
- Build the capacity of duty bearers and rights holders on the UPR process,
- Guarantee CSO voices are being heard throughout the UPR cycle (from submission to lobbying and implementation phases), and
- Ensure UPR Recommendations are specific and actionable, and are being implemented following a cooperative approach in Asian countries.
UPR Info Asia opened in May 2015. Its mandate is to support all stakeholders in Asia and it has already been working and supporting the UPR process in Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, and Thailand.
Our Internship Programme
UPR Info has been working with interns since its creation. In total, more than 40 interns have been part of our internship programme, for a length from three months to six months, either full time or part time. Interns are of great importance to UPR Info and are given important responsibilities. They are fully involved in the work of the organisation and produce meaningful and useful work. They are supervised but also given tasks to perform on their own. We strive to make internships a unique learning experience for students. With two Regional Offices recently opened in Asia and Africa, UPR Info offers the opportunity to interns to develop a unique experience of supporting the UPR process on the ground.
1) Description
Under the supervision of the Asia Regional Representative, the intern would be based with UPR Info Asia, in Bangkok, Thailand, and would primarily support activities to be implemented in Thailand. The country’s 2nd UPR will take place in May 2016 at the UN Human Rights Council, and the intern will support the following tasks leading up to the review:
- Support the Asia Regional Representative in coordinating with partners and stakeholders;
- Engage and build working relationships with civil society organisations and advocates in Thailand;
- Assist in the organisation of UPR national consultations, UPR workshops/trainings, UPR coordinating meetings and “in-country UPR Pre-Sessions” consisting of CSO representatives, human rights defenders, National Human Rights Commission, line ministries, government experts and relevant UN agencies;
- Support all aspects leading up to UPR-related consultations and workshops including collaborating with regional and national partners on the agenda and organisation of meetings, among other administrative tasks;
- Conduct research and analysis on the UPR process in Asia;
- Support the development of concept notes, policy papers, and contribute to knowledge products as necessary;
- Develop and disseminate web-stories, multimedia and new technology products and resources amongst human rights and other civil society or development organisations;
- Assist with communications, translation and event planning; and
- Assist in any other relevant tasks as assigned by the supervisor.
Finally, s/he will be deeply involved in the UPR process and experience a first-hand insight into the work and functioning of a small NGO.
2) Profile needed
- Degree in human rights, international relations, international law or international development;
- Interest in international human rights mechanisms and the United Nations system;
- Particular interest in the Universal Periodic Review;
- Strong analytical skills and dedication;
- Excellent oral and written English and/or Thai (with good working knowledge of the other);
- Experience working on human rights issues is a strong asset; and
- Experience in programme administration and event organisation.
3) Internship conditions
The internship is full time for a period of four to six months from 1 December 2015 to 31 May 2016, with a monthly stipend offered for the total duration of the internship.
UPR Info is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups, sexual and gender minorities, persons with disabilities and people living with HIV are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
4) How to apply
Please send your CV and cover letter to [email protected] by 13 November 2015.
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