Human Rights Associate – Swiss UN Volunteer Associate Programme  

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United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is the leading UN entity on human rights. OHCHR represents the world’s commitment to the promotion and protection of the full range of human rights and freedoms set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

OHCHR Madagascar works to promote and protect human rights. The Office focuses on strengthening the protection of human rights defenders and increasing accountability for human rights violations through improved access to justice.

As Human Rights Associate you support OHCHR as follows:

  • Support human rights analysis, reporting, and documentation;
  • Promote human rights integration in governance, justice, and Refoundation processes;
  • Engage with government, civil society, UN agencies, and other partners;
  • Support trainings, technical assistance, field missions, and needs assessments;
  • Contribute to gender-sensitive programming, coordination, and follow-up actions.;
  • Etc.

Part of the UN Volunteer Associate Programme “Swiss Talent at the United Nations“, this position is sponsored by the Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD).

Social Security

  • You will be serving on a UN volunteer contract. Your UN health insurance and travel will be covered and you will be receiving a living allowance to cover for your living costs in the duty station. Find more information in the UNV “Unified Conditions of Service” and the UNV “Entitlement calculator”.
  • Because of the volunteering and international nature of your contract, you may not be entitled to unemployment insurance upon your return to Switzerland, nor will any contributions to your national social security (AHV/AVS) be made from the living allowance you will be receiving. Soliswiss, our partner and expert will be available to advise on your individual social security situation.

Please find the full job description here:

More information

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Skills required

For the programme:

  • Swiss nationality;
  • Master’s degree;
  • Ideally 12 months of relevant professional experience (min. 3 months – max. 24 months);
  • Max. 28 years old at the date of application;
  • Excellent command of English and 2 official Swiss languages (one active = C1/C2, one passive = A2/B1);
  • Proven interest in joining the international cooperation sector.
  • Driving license for PHRD financed positions.

 

For this position:

  • Master’s degree in law, political science, international relations, social sciences, or related field;
  • Demonstrated interest and/or experience (ideally one year) in justice and rule of law-related systems;
  • Experience in Public financial management, State owned enterprises, international development, private or public sector;
  • Experience in application of human rights standards to governance and justice-related processes;
  • Knowledge of legal research, analysis, reporting and applying international human rights standards to national processes;
  • Fluency in French is required.

 

Please find more details in the full job description.

 

We are committed to gender balance and encourage applications from qualified individuals of all genders. We also welcome applications from people with different gender identities and from people with different backgrounds, including sexual orientation, disability, cultural or religious background. We value an inclusive working environment that promotes equal opportunities and a non-discriminatory culture. 

 

 

Important details regarding your application

Make sure your profile on cinfoPoste is complete and up to date:

  • Motivation letter in English (not more than 3500 characters, to be inserted in the pop-up window when you click on ‘apply’)
  • CV in English incl the exact length and the % of your employments
  • Work certificates, diplomas and university credentials (as PDF) uploaded under the section “documents” in your login area
  • Copy of your driving license

 

 

Find useful tips and resources related to UN applications on the cinfo website and read this article.  

 

 

Application deadline: 17 August 2026

First round of interviews carried out by cinfo: between 09 and 18 September 2026

Final selection: made by the host organisation based on cinfo’s recommendation and a second interview with them. Selected candidates will be informed towards the end of October 2026.

Onboarding and training: The onboarding process will start after the selection. Selected candidates will have to attend mandatory predeparture training in January 2027.

Entry on duty: Departure is possible after the mandatory training. The final departure date will be discussed after the selection and depends on several factors.

 

Are you interested in the programme “Swiss Talent at the United Nations“? Do you have specific questions about the process and how to apply? Join us on Zoom during our Live Q&A sessions on Thursday, 23 July at 12:15pm or Tuesday, 11 August at 5:30pm. More information about the sessions via this link.

 

 

Any questions? Contact Michal Habegger, cinfo’s Recruitment Specialists, [email protected]

To help us track our recruitment effort, please indicate in your cover/motivation letter where (ngotenders.net) you saw this job posting.