Development & Outreach Department Intern

Human Rights Watch; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 3,000 - 4,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel reimbursement

Job summary

Human Rights Watch is seeking an intern for its Amsterdam office in the Development and Outreach Department. The role focuses on fundraising, event planning, prospect research, database management, and donor relations, with flexible dates.

The intern will gain experience in a small office of an international NGO, attending planning meetings and trainings, and may have opportunities for academic credit.

Qualifications

• Applicants should be well-organized, self-motivated, reliable, flexible, and detail-oriented with excellent time management skills.
• Candidates should be pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree related to HRW's development and outreach work such as Communication, International Relations, etc.
• Excellent written and oral command of English and Dutch, as well as computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Office, internet applications, database).

Responsibilities

• Support fundraising activities, including digital event planning and donor outreach.
• Conduct prospect research and manage donor databases.
• Assist in preparation and follow-up for several digital fundraising events.
• Support communication tasks related to outreach to supporters.
• Attend planning and departmental meetings and participate in HRW trainings as available.

Skills

Time management

Organization

Attention to detail

English proficiency

Dutch proficiency

Team collaboration

Education

Undergraduate or graduate degree in Communications, International Relations

Tools

Microsoft Office

Internet applications

Database

Job description

Application Deadline: 28 August 2026

Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking an intern for the Development and Outreach Department for its Amsterdam office. Fluency in English and Dutch is required. Ideally, the intern will be available for 32 hours per week during a period of 6 months starting in November 2026 through May 2027, (dates and times are flexible).

Responsibilities: This internship will primarily focus on fundraising, (digital) event planning, prospect research, database management, and maintaining contact with donors and partner organizations. Other projects may be assigned as they arise. The intern will assist with communication related tasks and contribute to the preparation and follow-up of several (digital) events for the purpose of fundraising and outreach to our supporters.

This internship is best suited for individuals interested in working in a small office of a large, well-organized, international non-profit organization. The intern will gain knowledge and skills in all the responsibilities mentioned above. To provide a valuable and well-rounded internship experience, the intern will also attend planning and departmental meetings and will have the opportunity to attend in-house trainings and briefings.

Students will also have opportunities to attend lectures, trainings, professional development workshops, 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 should be well-organized, self-motivated, reliable, flexible, and detail-oriented with excellent time management skills. Candidates should be interested in fundraising, outreach, and special events within a human rights context. Candidates should have recently acquired or currently be pursing an undergraduate or graduate degree related to the work of Human Rights Watch and/or its development and outreach dimensions such as Communication, International Relations, etc. Excellent written and oral command of English and Dutch are a requirement, as well as computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Office, internet applications, database). Experience with collaborating within a team is desirable.

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

Compensation: Internship compensation varies by jurisdiction based on local laws and HRW policy. Interns in the Netherlands will receive a gross monthly stipend of EUR 300 per month (pro-rated based on internship hours) to help offset living expenses in accordance with HRW policy. For those interns who do not hold transportation cards, HRW will reimburse up to EUR 30 net per day for travel to and from the office. 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 external organizations and individuals. Students should check with their individual academic institutions for requirements.

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 Watchis an international human rights organization that monitors and advocates. It is 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.