Job Description

Disability Rights Division Intern

Application Deadline: 23 April 2026

The Disability Rights Division of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking an under-graduate student in law or a relevant field with a demonstrated strong interest in disability rights and international human rights to intern part-time, in our Nairobi office. Ideally, the candidate will be available for four to six months beginning in May 2026, for a minimum of 30 hours per week, dates and times are flexible. The candidate will intern closely with HRW staff to support the team in desk research, including by transcribing field notes containing handwritten interview notes and observations from missions on investigating abuses against people with disabilities, and converting them into clear, well‑organized digital documents while ensuring accuracy and fidelity to the original notes. The position offers experience within a small office of a large international nonprofit organization, as well as exposure to key disability rights issues and broader human rights priorities.

Responsibilities:

1. Supporting in research by transcribing, organizing, and formatting interview notes and research materials from interviews on disability rights issues, including: violence against people with disabilities, including shackling, involuntary detention, and people with disabilities in institutions;
2. Participating in meetings and meetings with disability experts, as the opportunity arises; and
3. Other projects may be assigned as they arise and match the intern’s interests and abilities.

Students may also have opportunities to attend lectures, 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:

1. Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate academic program for the duration of the internship term;
2. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required;
3. Fluency in another language is desirable;
4. Well-organized, self-motivated, and reliable candidates with strong attention to detail are required;
5. Previous desk research experience with an understanding of and a strong interest in international human rights is preferred;
6. Interest and/or experience in the disability rights field is desirable;
7. Relevant coursework in disability rights, human rights, law, and/or policy is a plus; and
8. Strong Internet research and computer skills (i.e., Microsoft Office, internet applications) are required.

Applicants who are offered an internship must possess valid work authorization in Kenya for the duration of the internship.

Compensation: Internship compensation varies by jurisdiction based on local law and HRW policy. Interns in Kenya will receive a gross monthly stipend of KES 30,000 per month, which will be pro-rated based on internship hours, to help offset living expenses in accordance with HRW policy. Students are often able to arrange academic credit, as Human Rights Watch 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 CV/resume, letter of interest, and a writing sample. 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, or if you require accommodations during the application process, 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.