Communications Division Intern
Brussels Office
Application Deadline: 3 July 2026
The Communications Division of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking a university student or recent graduate to intern full-time, maximum 35 hours per week, in the Brussels office. Proficiency in English and strong competency in French is required. Ideally, the candidate will be available for six months beginning in September 2026 through March 2027.
Responsibilities: The intern will contribute to media and communication related projects on a range of topics and will learn about media monitoring for European countries, creating effective social media content, liaising with the press, and organizing meetings and events.
Human Rights Watch internships offer direct exposure to the workings of an international human rights organization, close supervision by HRW staff, and interaction with other international organizations.
Interns may also have opportunities to attend virtual lectures, trainings, professional development workshops, and/or special events relating to human rights, as well as network with other HRW interns, volunteers, and employees.
Qualifications: Eligible applicants include students enrolled in a university or other academic institutions for the duration of the internship term or recent graduates of an academic program who are undergoing an internship for further training. Applicants should be well-organized, self-motivated, and reliable with a strong interest in international human rights, news media, and social media. Excellent verbal and written command of English and French are mandatory. Additionally, working experience in other European languages (Flemish, Swedish, Danish) are welcome. Computer skills (i.e., Microsoft Office, internet applications) are required.
Applicants who are offered an internship must possess valid work authorization in Belgium for the duration of the internship.
Compensation: Internship compensation varies by jurisdiction based on local laws and HRW policy. Interns in Belgium who are currently enrolled students, completing this internship as a required part of their university program, must provide proof of external funding and will be reimbursed for their lunch and local travel costs as pre-approved by HRW and in accordance with HRW policy. Interns who are recent graduates will receive a gross stipend of EUR 1095 per month. Students are often able to arrange academic credit, as HRW 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, 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 based anywhere 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.
Skills Required
- Be a university student enrolled for the internship duration or a recent graduate undertaking an internship for further training
- Excellent verbal and written command of English and French
- Well-organized, self-motivated, and reliable with strong interest in international human rights, news media, and social media
- Computer skills (Microsoft Office, internet applications)
- Working experience or knowledge of other European languages (Flemish, Swedish, Danish)
- Valid work authorization in Belgium for the duration of the internship
- Availability for approximately six months (September 2026 through March 2027) and up to 35 hours per week
What We Do
Human Rights Watch is one of the world’s leading independent organizations dedicated to defending and protecting human rights. By focusing international attention where human rights are violated, we give voice to the oppressed and hold oppressors accountable for their crimes. Our rigorous, objective investigations and strategic, targeted advocacy build intense pressure for action and raise the cost of human rights abuse. For 30 years, Human Rights Watch has worked tenaciously to lay the legal and moral groundwork for deep-rooted change and has fought to bring greater justice and security to people around the world.
