Intern - Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (Warsaw)

About this position

The summary below is published by Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

• Undertaking desk research and analysis of human rights developments to assist in monitoring the implementation of human dimension commitments by the OSCE participating States
• Assisting in the preparation of written materials including reports, briefing papers or other documents on specific thematic human rights issues or focusing on specific countries or regions
• Assisting in the preparation and organization of meetings/conferences/events/workshops for which the above-mentioned programmes are responsible
• Note-taking and contributing to drafting reports of various events
• Assisting in the implementation of any other project or task of the above-mentioned programmes or department-wide activities as assigned

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

• Education: Students in the final year of higher education (university or other accredited institution) at graduate or postgraduate level or recent graduates or postgraduates, i.e. within two years of graduation; in political sciences, international relations, law, international human rights law or other related fields
• Languages: English (excelle…), Russian (asset)
• Key skills: Proven competence in research and analytical writing, Demonstrable organizational, communication and reporting skills, Cultural sensitivity and judgment; understanding of gender mainstreaming, Ability to operate Windows applications, including word processing, Microsoft Excel and e-mail
• Eligibility: Applicants should be nationals of an OSCE participating State; upper age limit is 30 years

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: 6 months starting in November 2026.

Hiring unit: Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Human Rights Department.

Position details

Reference

4938

Last Verified

26 August 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Intern at OSCE based in Warsaw. The vacancy reference is 4938.

Background:

The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is the principal institution responsible for the human dimension of the Organisation of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). ODIHR’s activities are implemented in 57 participating States in accordance with ODIHR’s political mandate. Among ODIHR’s main fields of activities are election observation, democratic institution building, the rule of law and human rights. ODIHR’s Human Rights Department provides expert advice to OSCE participating States, conducts capacity-building activities for State officials and civil society representatives and monitors the implementation of human dimension commitments.

Interns will assist in the implementation of activities within the various programmes of the Human Rights Department, which address human rights defenders, human rights education, human rights and anti-terrorism, torture prevention, anti-trafficking, freedom of religion or belief, freedom of peaceful assembly, national human rights institutions, and human rights, gender and security.

The ODIHR Human Rights Department is looking to recruit one Intern for a 6 months’ period starting in November 2026. Please note the starting date is subject to change. Please mention your availability in the cover letter.

Tasks and responsibilities:

1. Undertaking desk research and analysis of human rights developments to assist in monitoring the implementation of human dimension commitments by the OSCE participating States; 2. Assisting in the preparation of written materials including reports, briefing papers or other documents on specific thematic human rights issues or focusing on specific countries or regions; 3. Assisting in the preparation and organization of meetings/conferences/ events/workshops for which the above-mentioned programmes are responsible; 4. Note-taking and contributing to drafting reports of various events; 5. Assisting in the implementation of any other project or task of the above-mentioned programmes or department-wide activities as assigned.

Necessary Qualifications:

- Students in the final year of higher education (university or other accredited institution) at graduate or postgraduate level or recent graduates or postgraduates, i.e. within two years of graduation; in political sciences, international relations, law, international human rights law or other related fields;

- The upper age limit for applicants is 30 years;

- Applicants should be nationals of an OSCE participating State;

- Previous exposure and/or experience in dealing with human rights issues is an asset;

- Excellent command of English, both oral and written; knowledge of Russian is an asset;

- Proven competence in research and analytical writing;

- Demonstrable organizational, communication and reporting skills;

- Cultural sensitivity and judgment; understanding of gender mainstreaming;

- Ability to operate Windows applications, including word processing, Microsoft Excel and e-mail.

Remuneration Package:

The OSCE is not in a position to pay any remuneration or cover any expenses incurred by the intern during his/her stay nor reimburse travel expenses. Some compensation towards the cost of living will be offered to interns who do not reside in the place of assignment. Such compensation shall be equivalent to 10% of the applicable Daily Subsistence Allowance rate of the respective duty station.

The selected intern may participate in the group health insurance scheme at his/her own expense, but the OSCE will cover life and accident/disability insurance. If the intern opts to arrange his/her own medical coverage, he/she shall provide evidence of medical coverage for the duty station he/she applies to, and for any eventual duty trip destinations.

The internship does not constitute a commitment to future employment with the OSCE.

How to Apply:

If you meet the above requirements and wish to apply for this internship opportunity, please use the OSCE's online application link found underhttps://vacancies.osce.org/. Please mention your availability dates in the cover letter.

Only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.

Please note that vacancies in the OSCE are open for competition only amongst nationals of participating States, please seehttps://www.osce.org/participating-states.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, or offer an internship with modified terms of reference or a different duration.

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the Organization.

Candidates should be aware that OSCE officials shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the status of an international civil servant. This includes avoiding any action which may adversely reflect on the integrity, independence and impartiality of their position and function as officials of the OSCE. The OSCE is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. For more information on the values set out in OSCE Competency Model, please seehttps://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model.

Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.

- Issued by: Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights - Requisition ID: ODI000321 - Contract Type: Intern - Grade: No grade - Job Type: Intern - Number of posts: 2 - Location: ODI - Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Warsaw - Issue Date: Aug 20, 2026 - Closing Date: Sep 3, 2026 - Employee Status: Short-Term - Schedule: Full-time - Job Field: Human Rights

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 26 August 2026, 2 days ago.

No closing date is published in the source feed for this position. EU vacancies typically remain open for four to eight weeks; check the official vacancy notice for the cut-off date and time.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 26 August 2026 (2 days ago).

Where to learn more

For headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at OSCE see the OSCE institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Warsaw see our Warsaw location page.

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