Capacity Development Methods & MEL Intern

Internship Description:

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), which shared in the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997, is a U.S.-based international advocacy organization working at the intersection of medicine, science, and law. With a global network of thousands of medical, scientific, and legal experts, PHR uses the power of medical and scientific evidence to document human rights and humanitarian law violations and prevent abuses, protect survivors, and promote justice and universal human rights for all.

Building upon its highly respected place in the field, and supported by a committed and talented team, PHR seeks for interns to join PHR’s Capacity Development, Research Methods, and MEL Team

Location: New York, New York (hybrid) or remote 

Reports to: Program Officer

Organizational Overview

Physicians for Human Rights was founded in 1986 by five physicians who were united in the belief that health professionals, with their specialized skills, ethical duties, and credible voices, are uniquely positioned to prevent harm and promote respect for human rights. Since its founding, PHR has built a long and distinguished record of accomplishment by conducting groundbreaking investigations and advocacy, in concert with strategic partners.

PHR’s approach includes extensive documentation of the use of illegal and inhumane weapons in armed conflicts, attacks on civilians, and the physical and psychological impacts of torture and sexual violence as a weapon of war. Other core activities include protecting the rights of those seeking asylum in the United States, the human rights implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, and halting attacks on medical facilities and frontline health professionals.

Internship Description

This internship is ideal for a student interested in a career in international law or public health. The internship will provide an opportunity for students or recent graduates to gain hands-on experience in the intersection of human rights, research, capacity development, and program evaluation. Interns will contribute to the development and implementation of research and M&E strategies, as well as participate in critical data collection and analysis efforts that support PHR’s mission of advancing human rights and healthcare access globally.

The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in human rights, research methodology, and the evaluation of programmatic impact. They will have the opportunity to work alongside a multidisciplinary team of professionals who are deeply committed to advancing social justice and public health issues. This internship will offer exposure to the workings of a dynamic human rights organization and provide the intern with a comprehensive understanding of how M&E and research are integral to the success of global health and advocacy programs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Tools and Resources Generation

• Support the compilation of a repository of relevant resources for trainees, ensuring easy access and up-to-date information.
• Support with designing new tools to enhance learning experiences and improve training efficiency.
• Collaborate with different teams to gather and incorporate feedback into resource development.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of tools and resources, making improvements as needed to meet trainee needs.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning  

• Assist in the design and implementation of M&E frameworks for ongoing and upcoming PHR projects.
• Contribute to the development of indicators, tools, and mechanisms for assessing project outcomes and impacts.
• Support in preparing M&E-related documentation, including evaluation reports and data summaries.

Capacity Development

• Assist in creating and formatting training materials and resources to build capacity within PHR’s team and local partners.
• Help evaluate the effectiveness of capacity development programs through surveys and feedback tools.

Qualifications and Experience 

• Current enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate program; course of study in international development/relations, public policy, law, human rights, or related field preferred, but not required
• Strong interest in and commitment to human rights
• Ability to maintain confidentiality while working with sensitive human rights data is a must
• Excellent communications skills
• Resourceful in performing research on the internet and through other channels
• Well organized, detail-oriented, and able to exercise discretion
• Fluency in Arabic or French is desired

Location and Hours

• The internship will follow a hybrid work model, with some work conducted remotely and some in our office located in Midtown, Manhattan for applicants based in NYC.
• We welcome applications from candidates located out of state.
• Hours can be flexible to accommodate different types of schedules.
• The internship will commence in February with at least a 12-week commitment.

How to Apply 

Please apply by sending a cover letter and resume to resumes@phr.org. Include “Capacity Development Methods & MEL Intern, Spring 2025” in the subject line. Please include in your cover letter the number of weekly hours you would be able to commit to the internship.