Development & Outreach Department

Application Deadline: 1 November 2026

The Development and Outreach Department of Human Rights Watch ("HRW") is seeking an intern in our Berlin office. This three-month internship will be full-time, maximum 35 hours per week. Ideally, the candidate will be available from mid-January 2027 through mid-April 2027,

Applicants must be an enrolled student for the duration of the internship term and be eligible for a Pflichtpraktikum, i.e. this should be a mandatory internship in relation to their studies.

This internship is best suited for those individuals interested in gaining development and fundraising experience in a large international non-profit organization. The Intern will gain knowledge and skills in event planning, database management, and donor relations. The intern will also learn about the organization's priority human rights issues. In order to provide a valuable and well-rounded internship experience, interns will attend planning and department meetings with staff and will have the opportunity to take advantage of in-house trainings and briefings.

Responsibilities: The internship will focus on event planning in the lead-up to our biggest fundraising event of the year, HRW Berlin's 2027 Voices for Justice Dinner taking place on Friday, 12 March 2027. The intern will assist the team with its donor communications and outreach efforts. Specific tasks will include:

1. Assisting the development team with event logistics and planning;
2. Drafting and editing documents and correspondence related to donor relations;
3. Supporting on the creation and editing of graphic design and event materials;
4. Collaborating with the team on operating, updating and maintaining documents and database records;
5. Supporting the team on coordinating their donor communication and outreach efforts, for the purpose of fundraising; and
6. Other tasks may be assigned as they arise and when they match the intern’s interests.

Interns will also have opportunities to attend online 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 their studies and apply them in a professional setting.

Qualifications:

1. Applicants must be enrolled students for the duration of their internship term; preferably interns would be studying in Germany.
2. This internship must be a compulsory prerequisite from the University. Interns must be eligible for and submit a “Bescheinigung über ein Pflichtpraktikum” prior to the start of the internship.
3. Applicants should be well-organized, self-motivated, reliable, flexible, and detail-oriented with excellent time management skills.
4. Candidates should be interested in fundraising, outreach, and special events within a human rights context.
5. Applicants should have a demonstrated commitment to human rights and/or international issues and the ability to master and represent well the mission and program of HRW.
6. Excellent oral and written communication skills in both German and English are required, as well as computer skills (e.g. Microsoft Excel).
7. Experience with collaborating within a team is desirable.
8. Frequent attendance in the office and for events is required.

Applicants must possess valid work authorization in Germany for the duration of the internship.

Compensation: Internship compensation varies by jurisdiction based on local laws and HRW policy. Interns based in Germany will receive a gross monthly stipend of EUR 556 per month 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 the 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 the following:

1. CV/resume
2. Letter of interest/cover letter (in English)
3. Brief (ca. 300 word) writing sample in German.

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 [email protected]. 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 organization that monitors and advocates. It is 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.