Asia Division Intern

Application Deadline:  15 July 2026

The Asia Division of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking two undergraduate or graduate students to intern in our Sydney office. The interns will focus on projects surrounding domestic and international issues of Australia. Ideally, the interns will be available part-time, for 15-20 hours per week, for three months, beginning in late-August or early-September 2026 (dates and schedule are flexible) with the possibility to extend.

Responsibilities:

Interns will primarily focus on:

• Conducting background desk research;
• Monitoring press coverage and updating lists;
• Assisting with outreach tasks regarding human rights in the Asia region, with a particular focus on Australia; and
• Other projects may be assigned as they arise and match the intern's interests.

Qualifications: 

This position is best suited for individuals interested in interning in a large, well-organized, international non-profit organization.

• Applicants must be currently enrolled students for the duration of the internship term;
• Applicants should have strong organizational skills, a proactive approach to projects, and reliability with a strong interest in international human rights is required;
• Experience with media, social media, government relations, event planning, and Sales Force is beneficial; and
• Computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Office) are strongly preferred. 

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

Reimbursements: Internship compensation varies by jurisdiction based on local laws and HRW policy. 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 https://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 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.