Development and Outreach Department Intern

Application Deadline: 20 November 2026

Human Rights Watch (HRW) is responsible for protecting and promoting the human rights of people around the world, including pushing for an end to human rights abuses and advocating for accountability and effective remedies where violations occur.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking two students for an internship with our Development & Outreach Department, in the Sydney office. Ideally, the interns will be available part-time, to intern up to 20 hours per week, for three months, beginning in mid-February 2027 through end of April 2027. There is some flexibility with the start date and there is a possibility of extending. Interns must be based within commuting distance of the Sydney office and will be expected to work from the Sydney office at least 2 days per week (Tuesdays and Thursdays).

Responsibilities:

Interns will be offered a range of tasks that cover elements of the work carried out by the Development & Outreach Departments. Outreach and development related tasks include:

1. Utilizing databases for supporting with tasks relating to event planning;

2. Supporting with fundraising and outreach events;

3. Collaborating with the team to cultivate individual donors, foundations, and corporations, mainly based in Sydney and Melbourne; and

4. Other projects may be assigned as they arise and when they match the intern’s interests.

Interns are offered the opportunity to participate in the collegial atmosphere of all aspects of daily Human Rights Watch Sydney office activities. When possible, interns are invited to join weekly HRW staff meetings, online meetings with global development colleagues, and to attend external HRW events, which could include donor meetings, receptions, public briefings and the Voices for Justice Dinner. Students will also have opportunities to attend lectures, trainings, professional development workshops, 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 position is best suited for tertiary students interested in interning in a large, well-organized, international non-profit organization.

1. Applicants must be currently enrolled students for the duration of the internship term;

2. Applicants should have strong organizational skills, a proactive approach to projects, and demonstrate reliability with a strong interest in international human rights is required;

3. Experience with fundraising, media, social media, government relations, event planning, and Salesforce is desirable; and

4. Computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Office) are strongly preferred. 

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

Reimbursements: Interns in Australia will be reimbursed up to $20 per day for lunch if they are in the office, and up to $15 per day for transportation if they are in the office. 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 http://careers.hrw.org and attaching a resume and letter of interest. 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 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.