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Organization: Human Rights Watch (HRW)
Middle East & North Africa Division Intern
Application Deadline: April 15, 2022
Internship Description: The Middle East and North Africa (“MENA”) division of Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) is currently seeking a student intern for the Summer 2023 semester. The intern will be based in the Lebanon office. The selected candidate will focus on 1) Yemen and the right to water, and 2) COP28, the climate conference to be held in November 2023 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The selected candidate will intern closely with the Middle East and North Africa division associates, researchers, and deputy directors. Ideally, the intern will be available for at least 20 hours a week for three months, starting in early May through July 2023.
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.
The Projects
- The Right to Water in Yemen
Yemen is one of the most water-poor countries in the world, and has been at risk of running out of water for many years. The combination of government mismanagement, environmental destruction caused by warring parties, and climate change has made this risk a reality.
We are seeking an intern to help HRW researchers conduct research into violations of the right to water in Yemen, both in the context of the ongoing conflict and in the context of broader, historical government mismanagement. This will require looking into a complex web of issues, including:
The historical and current government mismanagement of water resources and over-irrigation (including for the use of growing qat),
Saudi/UAE-led coalition airstrikes on water infrastructure and sources,
Houthi placement of landmines placed inside and around water sources,
Displacement caused by war leading to overstrain on water resources,
Destruction of sewage treatment plants and mismanagement of sewage, leading to contamination of water sources, and
How the blockade and inflation prevent water and sewage agencies from purchasing new equipment (e.g., pumps and pipes).
The successful intern candidate will assist HRW researchers in writing a report documenting these violations through the lens of international humanitarian law and international human rights law (particularly the International Covenant on Economic, Social and, and Cultural Rights).
- COP28 Conference
Grave concerns have emerged about the conflicts of interest posed by the United Arab Emirates as host of the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP28. It increasingly appears that the UAE is seeking to use the conference to image-launder its human rights record while continuing to push the expansion of fossil fuels, undermining efforts to confront the climate crisis and protect human rights.
In this context, the successful intern may also participate in research and advocacy planning that links the outcome of the water research in Yemen to the upcoming COP28 conference.
Responsibilities: The intern will be expected to:
Support with legal desk research;
Collate and analyze trends in interviews conducted by HRW researchers and possibly assist with conducting follow-up interviews;
Conduct desk research, particularly with respect to historical and current government mismanagement of water and the responsibilities of governments to properly manage water sources; environmental research on the impacts of sewage on water basins, and on water contamination more broadly;
Conduct background desk research on communications and advocacy ideas related to the upcoming COP28 conference;
Assist in drafting and editing relevant documents; and
Join outreach meetings as organized.
Other assignments and projects may be assigned if the opportunity and capacity arise.
Students will also have opportunities to attend 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: This internship is open to undergraduate, graduate, and law students in law, social studies, international relations, political science, or related subjects with strong writing and research skills. Applicants must be enrolled students for the duration of the internship term. Fluency in Arabic and English is required, including the ability to conduct desk research in Arabic. Prior interview experience is desired but not required. Computer skills (i.e., Microsoft Office, internet applications) are required.
Applicants should be well-organized, self-motivated, and reliable with a strong interest in human rights and some familiarity with the current situation in the MENA region. Knowledge of MENA politics/culture (particularly in the Gulf region), the environment and climate change as it impacts the MENA region, and familiarity with socio-economic rights as guaranteed by international human rights law and international humanitarian law are strongly desired, but not required. Applicants should demonstrate precise attention to detail, conscientiousness about checking one’s own work, a positive attitude, a proactive approach, and good judgment.
Applicants who are offered an internship must possess valid work authorization in Lebanon, for the duration of the internship.
Salary: Compensation will be based on local law and HRW policy. Interns in Lebanon will be paid a monthly wage of USD 450. Human Rights Watch offers twenty (20) days of vacation prorated per year pursuant to the work schedule and length of employment. Students may be able to arrange academic credit, as Human Rights Watch internships often offer direct exposure to the workings of an international human rights organization, close supervision by HRW staff, and interaction with other US and 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 No calls or email inquiries, please. We ask that you submit a cover letter, resume, and 5 pages maximum writing sample. 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.
Website: https://boards.greenhouse.io/humanrightswatch/jobs/6674682002
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