Development & Outreach Department Intern

Development & Outreach Department Intern

Application Deadline: 13 March 2026 

The Development and Outreach Department of Human Rights Watch (HRW) Canada is seeking a currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate student to intern in our Toronto office. The HRW Canada office serves as an important base for HRW’s development, fundraising, and outreach activities in Toronto and in the surrounding GTA region. Ideally, the candidate will be available part-time, 10-15 hours per week, for three months beginning in late March 2026 through July 2026 (dates and times are flexible). The intern will report to the Manager for Development and Outreach in Toronto. This opportunity is available for students who are interested in human rights work and the fundraising efforts of a human rights organization.

Responsibilities: 

• Supporting the Development team in scheduling meetings, with mailings, responding to queries, and other tasks;
• Participating in the organization and coordination of on-site logistics and materials in the lead-up to and during events in Toronto, including the annual Voices for Justice dinner on 26 May 2026; 
• Maintaining up-to-date detailed guest lists for Toronto events, including tracking dietary restrictions, mobility requirements, etc.
• Conducting data input and monitoring Salesforce database by ensuring accurate and timely recordings of contract information, lists and queries, and updating information;
• Tracking RSVPs and other communications with donors and supporters;
• Supporting with the recruitment, onboarding, and oversight of event volunteers;
• Assisting with in-depth research on individual and foundation prospects using various online tools (e.g., CharityCAN) to generate prospect profiles based on information collected;
• As needed, draft content for the HRW get-local website; and
• Other projects may be assigned as they arise and match the intern's interests and abilities.

Students may also have opportunities to attend lectures, trainings, professional development workshops, and/or special events relating to human rights, as well as network with other HRW interns, volunteers, and employees. As an HRW intern, students will take skills acquired in school and apply them in a professional setting.

Qualifications:

• Applicants must be a currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate student for the duration of the internship term.
• The internship must be through a program approved by the intern’s educational institution.
• Applicants should have strong organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail required.
• Events experience is preferred.
• Well-organized, self-motivated, and reliable candidates are desirable.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with a wide variety of audiences, including donors and external partners are required.
• Ability to prioritize and work independently as well as function as a member of a team with staff in multiple global locations is required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required.
• Proficiency in computer programs including MS Office applications, especially Excel, are required; experience with Salesforce or other donor databases is a plus. 
• Strong interest in or experience with human rights issues is desirable.

Applicants who are offered an internship must possess valid work authorization in Canada for the full duration of the internship.

Compensation: Internship compensation varies by jurisdiction based on local laws and HRW policy. Interns in Canada will receive a gross monthly stipend of CAD 1,500 per month, which will be pro-rated based on the interns schedule, to help offset living expenses in accordance with HRW policy. Students may be able to arrange academic credit, as Human Rights Watch internships often offer direct exposure to the workings of an international human rights organization, close supervision by 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 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 governments and international institutions.