The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) is an NGO that brings together nearly 200 civil society organizations worldwide. Founded in 1922, it is committed to defending fundamental freedoms and the universality of rights defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Independent of any government and recognized for its expertise, FIDH works to strengthen mechanisms for the protection of human rights and defenders by conducting advocacy campaigns, investigating violations, and taking legal action. FIDH integrates a gender-sensitive and anti-colonial approach in all its activities. Its headquarters are located in Paris, and its teams are present in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Europe. FIDH also has delegations to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, the European Union in Brussels, the United Nations in Geneva, and the African Union in Nairobi.
We are recruiting an: INTERN AT THE DEFENSE OFFICE – 6 MONTHS
YOUR MISSIONS :
The intern will participate in the activities of the Defender’s Office and provide support to the numerous ongoing projects. Within a department composed of 5 employees, he or she will be particularly involved in the following documentation and publication activities:
- Participation in documenting violations of the rights of human rights defenders and in drafting (in French, English or Spanish) urgent alerts about them (urgent appeals, press releases, declarations, open/closed letters, etc.).
- Coordination with FIDH member organizations and geographic offices for reporting information on violations of defenders’ rights, as well as for verifying and validating documents produced in this context.
- Posting alerts online (websites, MailerLite) and contributing to visibility/communication on documented cases (X, mainly).
- Contribution to the monitoring and evaluation of this documentation activity (monitoring table of alerts produced, “impact” table and/or resumption of our alerts by influential actors), and link with advocacy activities on this subject.
To a lesser extent, the intern may be required to contribute to other office tasks, including:
- Participation in the development of country profiles for a global study on the situation of human rights defenders: research, verification of information, writing (in French, English or Spanish) and contribution to the validation process.
- Participation in the preparation of reports on the situation of human rights defenders.
- Contribution to the organization of workshops / seminars / webinars.
- Possible assistance in providing emergency grants for defenders at risk or capacity-building grants for local human rights organizations.
- Ad hoc contribution to other tasks of the Defender’s Office, as needed.
REQUIRED PROFILE
- Currently in higher education Bac +4/5 in international law, human rights.
- Legal profile, with solid knowledge of international human rights law.
- Excellent analytical and synthesis skills.
- Excellent writing skills in French (level C1), English (level C1), Spanish (level B2 minimum), fluency in another language is an asset.
- Rigor and attention to detail.
- Ability to work remotely and in a multicultural environment.
- Ability to adapt, particularly to work with the Libre Office environment.
- In total agreement with the working values of the FIDH International Secretariat (professionalism, respect, commitment, equality, integrity, participation, boldness), as well as with the fights carried out by the FIDH for the defense of the human rights of all, everywhere in the world, explained in particular in its statutes and through its publications accessible from its website: www.fidh.org .
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
- Full-time internship (39 hours per week) from December 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026.
- Mandatory condition: have an internship agreement issued by a French law educational establishment.
- Monthly allowance of €659.76. Electronic restaurant voucher card with a face value of €9, 60% of which is covered by the FIDH. Sustainable mobility package for home-work travel.
- 12 days of RTT over the period and acquisition of 2 days of paid leave per month.
- The internship will take place at the FIDH headquarters in Paris and partly via teleworking.
Internship available: From December 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026
Internship duration: 6 months
FIDH seeks diversity and is committed to equality, not discriminating in its hiring practices, without distinction of any kind, based on ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, health status or any other situation protected by French law and international human rights law.
For people with disabilities, we ask that you indicate in your cover letter any adaptations that would be useful.
Why join us?
This internship will be very educational and a good springboard to start a career in human rights.
How to apply
Send your CV AND a cover letter to mcabaup@fidh.org mcabaup@fidh.orgfor the attention of Ms. Manon Cabaup, Deputy Head of the DDH Office.
Interviews will be conducted as applications are received. Only candidates whose applications are selected will be contacted.
In compliance with the regulations on financial sanctions adopted by the United Nations, the European Union and France for CSOs/NGOs, the person selected for the position will be subject to screening on the Single Asset Freezing List.