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How much do human rights internships jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for human rights internships in the United States is $25.96, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.43 and $28.61 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a human rights internship?

Human rights internships are temporary work placements, often at non-governmental organizations, international agencies, or governmental bodies, where students or recent graduates gain hands-on experience in the field of human rights. These internships typically involve research, advocacy, event planning, and support for projects related to promoting and protecting human rights. Interns can learn about international human rights law, policy development, and the workings of organizations dedicated to social justice. These positions are valuable for building careers in law, international relations, public policy, and non-profit sectors.

What kind of projects or tasks can I expect to work on during a human rights internship?

As a human rights intern, you can anticipate working on a variety of projects such as conducting research on current human rights issues, assisting with the preparation of reports and advocacy materials, and supporting outreach or educational initiatives. Interns often help monitor relevant news, attend meetings or events, and contribute to casework or policy analysis. Collaboration with team members—including lawyers, researchers, and other interns—is common, offering valuable exposure to real-world advocacy and project coordination in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in human rights internships, and why are they important?

To thrive in Human Rights Internships, you typically need a background in international relations, political science, or law, along with strong research and analytical skills. Familiarity with legal databases, human rights documentation tools, and proficiency in multiple languages are often advantageous. Excellent communication, cultural sensitivity, and teamwork abilities help interns effectively engage with diverse stakeholders and sensitive issues. These skills are crucial for promoting human rights advocacy, conducting impactful research, and contributing to organizational objectives in complex environments.

What is the difference between Human Rights Internships vs Human Rights Fellowships?

AspectHuman Rights InternshipsHuman Rights Fellowships
CredentialsTypically undergraduate or graduate studentsUsually advanced students or early-career professionals
Work EnvironmentInternship programs, often in NGOs or international organizationsFellowship programs with more responsibilities, often in research or policy roles
Employer & IndustryNonprofits, NGOs, international agenciesResearch institutes, advocacy groups, international bodies
Search & Comparison IntentEntry-level, internship opportunities in human rightsAdvanced, specialized roles for early-career professionals

Human Rights Internships are typically designed for students seeking entry-level experience, while Human Rights Fellowships target early-career professionals with more specialized responsibilities. Both roles are vital in the human rights sector but differ in scope, experience level, and responsibilities.

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Human Rights Internships jobs near you
Infographic showing various Human Rights Internships job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,005 per year, or $26 per hour.

Human Rights Accountability Legal Intern - Fall 2026

Human Rights First

Washington, DC

Internship

Re-posted 5 hours ago

Job description

Human Rights Accountability Legal Intern - Fall 2026

The Accountability Legal Intern will assist with research and analysis aimed at strengthening our team’s ability to effectively advocate for targeted sanctions against human rights abusers and corrupt officials around the world using Magnitsky-style sanctions programs from the U.S., UK, EU, Canada, and Australia. In particular, the intern will be asked to perform legal and policy background research and maintain databases to improve our understanding of the applicability, use, and effects of different sanctions programs. The intern will also be asked to perform research and writing related to specific instances of serious human rights abuse and/or corruption as we work to identify individuals for consideration as possible designees under various government sanctions programs, including the Global Magnitsky sanctions program and similar programs from other jurisdictions. In addition, the intern will be asked to conduct research and draft materials to support Congressional advocacy efforts related to this and other related work to promote and protect Magnitsky sanctions and other accountability tools and institutions, such as the International Criminal Court. The intern will gain professional experience in legal analysis, persuasive writing, and engagement with a diverse range of partners. The intern may also be involved in our efforts to protect accountability institutions and human rights activists from attack by the Trump administration and other actors.
Interns must be located in the United States.
How will the intern make a difference in the Human Rights space through this internship?
The intern’s work will make Human Rights First and its partners more effective advocates in seeking accountability for human rights abuses and corruption, by helping make the strongest case possible for sanctions in specific instances and by improving our overall understanding of the impact and implementation of these tools. The intern’s work will also support Human Rights First’s efforts to protect accountability tools and institutions from attacks and misuse.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Support attorneys in policy, legal, and data research projects to inform our efforts and those of our coalition partners related to human rights and anti-corruption sanctions and advocacy.
  • Monitor and report on events occurring around the world that are relevant to our work.
  • Work with attorneys reviewing Magnitsky case files to provide information and answer questions.
  • Conduct research to gather information and assist in preparing files for Global Magnitsky recommendations for the U.S. and other major Magnitsky jurisdiction governments involving serious human rights abuse or corruption.
  • Track, via internal databases, different government, NGO coalition, and HRF metrics.
  • Assist with coordinating NGO training sessions on targeted sanctions.
  • Assist with advocacy to government entities and the public regarding the Global Magnitsky sanctions program and other related Magnitsky-style programs (drafting blogs, op-eds, factsheets, other publications).
  • Opportunity for additional responsibilities based on performance.

Desired Skills and Experience

  • Strong research and writing skills.
  • Significant knowledge of the human rights context in at least one region of the world, and/or significant knowledge of human rights issues facing vulnerable and marginalized groups.
  • Ability to apply legal standards to the facts of specific cases.
  • Knowledge of human rights and/or anti-corruption concepts, methods, statutes, and instruments desirable.
  • Strong organizational skills.
  • Foreign language skills desirable.
Education: Law student (J.D. or LLM) preferred.
Compensation: Unpaid
Submission Deadline: July 24, 2026
Start Date: September 8, 2026
End Date: December 11, 2026
Time Commitment: 10-12 hours/week
Application Instructions: Please include a cover letter, resume, and two writing samples (ideally related to human rights or corruption).


Human Rights First is committed to recruiting, retaining, and developing staff from a diversity of backgrounds, including members of racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, people of all nationalities, and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. We believe that a diverse staff and an inclusive work environment that welcomes a range of perspectives make us stronger and more effective.

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