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Human Rights Internships Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Communications Intern

Arlington, VA · On-site

$17.25 - $22.75/hr

Monitor news coverage and social media trends related to refugees, immigrants, and human rights. * Interns will be supported by Communications staff in producing, at minimum, the following examples ...

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Human Rights Internships information

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How much do human rights internships jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 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.

More about Human Rights Internships jobs

What cities are hiring for Human Rights Internships jobs?

Cities with the most Human Rights Internships job openings:

What states have the most Human Rights Internships jobs?

States with the most job openings for Human Rights Internships jobs include:

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 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,005 per year, or $26 per hour.

U.S. Fall Legal Internship

EarthRights International

Washington, DC • On-site, Remote

Full-time, Part-time, Internship

Re-posted 7 days ago


Job description

Position: U.S. Fall Legal Internship
Location: Based in Washington D.C., with remote work available anywhere in the U.S
Reports to: U.S. Staff Attorneys
Pay: Unpaid. ERI is unable to provide a salary, stipend, or housing assistance, but will work withyou to arrange course credit or a stipend through your school
Prerequisite: This internship is only available to law students who can receive course credit fortheir internship from their law school.
Starts: Fall 2026


Application Deadline: Rolling until July 15, 2026


EarthRights International, a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization that combines the power oflaw and the power of people in defense of human rights and the environment, is seeking fallinterns for our District of Columbia office.


ERI's U.S. Fall Legal Interns are law students able to work full-time or part-time for at least10-12 weeks during the fall semester. Legal interns provide legal research, writing, and programsupport for ERI activities all over the world. Law students may be J.D. or LL.M. students, butmust have at least one year of U.S. legal training by the time of the internship.


Over the past 30 years, ERI has built a reputation as one of the leading legal organizationsrepresenting communities and individuals from around the world whose rights, livelihoods andhomelands are harmed by corporations, financial institutions and governments. Our lawyers haveworked closely with our clients, co-counsel, partner NGOs, campaigners and others to bringgroundbreaking lawsuits and pursue legal advocacy to provide remedies and ensure legalaccountability. Our cases have set legal precedents, brought millions of dollars of compensationto our clients, and changed the behavior of corporations and other institutions; one of our casesinvolving environmental harms to communities in India, Jam v. International FinanceCorporation, was argued at the U.S. Supreme Court and set important precedent for futureaccountability of international financial institutions. Another, Doe v. Chiquita BrandsInternational, resulted in the first U.S. jury finding of liability for human rights abuses abroad.


Legal interns participate in various projects associated with many of our cases, including legalresearch, writing and assistance in all phases of litigation. Interns also contribute to other legalwork including development of new cases, monitoring and exploring developments in humanrights and environmental law, researching and utilizing other mechanisms of corporateaccountability, and helping to coordinate with and assist other groups bringing domestic orinternational cases. Interns are fully integrated into ERI's U.S. legal team and may work with anyof ERI's attorneys and other staff in advocacy and communications programs.


Requirements:

  • A demonstrated commitment to using the U.S. legal system to serve vulnerable communities and/or protect human rights and the environment
  • Independent and creative thinking skills
  • Excellent legal research and writing skills
  • Ability to responsibly handle client, partner, and colleague relationships and protect the confidentiality of our work and our communications


Additional desired qualifications include:

  • Proficiency in languages other than English; Spanish fluency is highly desired
  • Experience in fields related to issues of human rights, environmental protection and indigenous peoples, including regional studies, development, environmental sciences, or others
  • Strong interpersonal skills, cultural competency skills, and ability to work in teams
  • Experience or interest in working with people from diverse cultures
  • A positive attitude


Application Procedures:
The deadline for applications for Fall 2026 is July 15, 2026. Applications are considered ona rolling basis; students are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible.


Students interested in the position of U.S. Fall Legal Intern should submit a cover letter, resume,and a legal writing sample of ten pages or less. Due to the volume of applications, ERI is unableto interview every applicant. We typically conduct virtual interviews.


EarthRights International is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate inits hiring practices, and actively encourages people of color, women, people withdisabilities, and LGBTQI people to apply.


For more information on the work of EarthRights International visit www.earthrights.org