For centuries, children were not considered worthy of respect, personal autonomy, or basic rights. Today, the United Nations, UNICEF, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child establish the rights all children are owed, regardless of their country of origin, gender, race, religion, and so on. Everyone under 18 deserves protection, food, shelter, healthcare, education, access to justice, and every other right that ensures their safety and healthy development. Unfortunately, children’s rights face serious threats as kids are more vulnerable to exploitation and neglect. If you want to start a career protecting children’s rights, here are 10 paid internships:
#1. Save the Children
Pay: Hourly wage/unlisted
Save the Children is an international NGO improving children’s lives and protecting their rights through healthcare, food, shelter, education, and child protection services. The organization has a fellowship program and a year-round internship. Interns and fellows are paid an hourly wage (the organization’s website does not list the rate), but some internships are unpaid, so double-check before applying. Internships run from January-April, June-August, and September-December.
Internships and fellowships can be remote or based in one of the organization’s offices in Washington, D.C., Kentucky, or Connecticut. During the semester-long program, interns work 16-24 hours a week under direct supervision from a staff member. For the internship, you must be pursuing an Associate, Bachelor, or Graduate degree, or have graduated within 6 months of the internship’s start date. For fellows, you’ll need to be a graduate or post-graduate student, or have graduated within 6 months of the start date. Housing and relocation aren’t provided, and you must be eligible to work in the USA.
#2. Child Rights Connect
Pay: CHF 1,200/month
Child Rights Connect is a global network of child rights organizations that reaches millions of kids in 185 countries. It works to make children’s rights mainstream in the United Nations human rights system by monitoring human rights at the UN, coordinating defenders, providing assistance and capacity-building, and advocating for a children’s rights approach. Child Rights Connect offers 6-month internships in Geneva, where the NGO is based. Eligible interns should be university students interested in international children’s rights.
At the time of writing, the NGO was hiring a full-time, in-person program intern. Interns work 36 hours a week. They should also have Swiss citizenship, EU/EFTA citizenship, or a Swiss/EU work permit. Placements are available for university students enrolled in either the last year of an undergraduate/Bachelor program or a graduate/Master’s program studying international human rights law, political science, international relations, or a related field. Fluency in English and competency in French or Spanish is desired. Program interns help with planning and organizing the Child Rights Connect network, preparing and monitoring sessions, and supporting other activities. The monthly stipend is CHF 1,200 with Swiss social charges deducted from that amount.
#3. National Partnerships for Women & Families
Pay: D.C. minimum wage ($17.50/hour in 2024)
The National Partnership for Women & Families is a policy organization focused on American women and families. They work to improve gender equality in every area of society, including the workplace, the doctor’s office, and at home. Policies that help women and families also help kids, so this organization is a good choice for people interested in children’s rights. According to its website, the National Partnership offers a few paid internships during the year in communications, economic justice, health justice, development, and congressional relations.
If accepted to the internship program, you’ll receive the D.C. minimum wage. Full-time interns work for 10 weeks while part-time interns work up to 375 hours. All interns are paid even if receiving academic credit or compensation from a third party. If you’re not allowed to receive payment from the National Partnership (some third parties have restrictions), the organization will still accept you.
#4. UNICEF
Pay: $17.00/hour
UNICEF is a UN agency. It provides humanitarian and development aid to kids in over 190 countries and territories. Focus areas include child protection and inclusion, child survival, education, social policy, health, gender inequality, research, and more. While most UN internships are unpaid, UNICEF is the rare agency that does pay its interns. Openings are listed among the regular job postings. Currently, all interns work from the United States.
Internship programs take place in the spring, summer, and fall. Summer interns work 30 hours a week, while spring and fall interns work up to 20 hours per week. Internships are 13 weeks and can be remote or hybrid. UNICEF can give interns course credit. Interns are paid $17.00 an hour. As an intern, you’ll join a cohort, attend intern-specific events and workshops, and work with a manager/mentor.
#5. Compassion International
Pay: Unlisted
Compassion International is a Christian charity addressing children’s poverty. Programs focus on medical care, family food packs, hygiene kits, disaster relief, and other needs. Compassion is also a child sponsorship organization. Kids are sponsored up to 18 or 22 years old, depending on the country.
Compassion International offers spring and summer internship programs. The salary isn’t listed, but it’s described as a “competitive hourly wage.” Interns are responsible for getting to Colorado Springs, Colorado. You must have US citizenship or a valid US work visa. Interns are placed in departments that need help, such as finance/accounting, global programs, IT, social media, UX design, video production, and more.
#6. Children’s Defense Fund
Pay: Unlisted
Children’s Defense Fund is an American charity working to give kids shelter, healthcare, food, education, safety, and access to the resources and opportunities they need. All kids deserve rights, but because of systemic inequality, CDF focuses on poor children, children of color, and children with disabilities. With Congress and local governments, CDF advocates for policies that advance children’s rights.
It’s unclear if CDF’s regular interns are paid, but it launched a paid fellowship in 2023 in partnership with the NBA Foundation. For three years, the CDF will manage the NBA HCU Fellowship Program, which provides opportunities in the basketball business for undergraduate and graduate students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. NBA teams select the fellows, who work within departments like ticket sales, corporate partnerships, legal, and more. Interns, who must be at least 18 years old, work for 10 weeks during the summer. You must also prove you’re legally allowed to work in the US and that you’re a current or previous HBCU student.
#7. Saferworld
Pay: Unlisted
Saferworld is an international organization working with and for people affected by conflict. Through research and analysis, Saferworld promotes peace-building policies and practices. The organization doesn’t offer generic internships, so available positions are posted on the website. The number of available internships depends on capacity and management time.
According to the Saferworld website, usually two interns are employed at any given time. Programs last at least 6 months and no longer than a year. Intern salaries are set at “an appropriate level.” During the program, you’ll gain practical work experience and help develop young professionals committed to safety, peace-building, and conflict prevention. Foreign nationals are considered on a case-by-case basis.
#8. Doctors Without Borders
Pay: $17.00/hour
Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières) is an international medical and humanitarian charity. It responds to conflict, disease outbreaks, and other crises in 70 countries. Focus areas include climate change, natural disasters, displacement, outbreaks, women’s health, and children’s health. Because children’s immune systems are still developing, they’re especially vulnerable to disease, bacteria, and other health emergencies, making MSF’s work vital to children’s rights.
According to the charity’s website, MSF has spring, summer, and fall internships. Candidates must be eligible to work in the US without sponsorship; international candidates are responsible for their work permits. All interns are responsible for their relocation and housing. In 2023, interns were paid $17.00. If you don’t live in New York, Washington, D.C., or Northern California, MSF wants you to note this in your cover letter.
#9. World Food Programme
Pay: $1,000/month
The World Food Programme, a UN agency, is the world’s largest humanitarian organization using food assistance for peace, stability, and prosperity. With 23,000 staff members, the WFP works in over 120 countries and territories. Partners include other UN entities, governments, NGOs, and private companies. When food security is threatened, children face the most immediate threats. According to a 2024 UNICEF report, 1 in 4 kids under five worldwide are experiencing severe food poverty.
WFP internships don’t pay a lot, but they offer a stipend of up to $1,000 a month. Payment depends on the specific duty station you’re assigned to. To apply for a program, you must be currently enrolled in a recognized university (with at least two years of undergraduate studies completed) or within six months of your graduation date. A working knowledge of English is required, while the agency likes candidates with other UN language proficiency. Internships last between 2-8 months.
#10. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Pay: $17.00-$22.00/hour
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is an American research, policy, and advocacy institute advancing federal and state policies on equality. Its goal is to ensure all people, including children, get the resources they need to thrive. Focus areas include healthcare, housing, employment, education, and structural barriers. Full-time (and sometimes part-time) internships for undergraduate and graduate students are offered in Communications, Government Affairs, Housing Policy, Food Assistance, Family Income Support, and more.
Internships take place in the fall, summer, and spring. Most internships last 10-12 weeks. The Center wants candidates with research, writing, analytical, and fact-gathering skills. International students can apply, although the Center can’t provide financial sponsorship for visas or work permits. Interns are paid based on their educational level: undergrads get $17.00 an hour, students with a bachelor’s degree get $18.00, graduate students get $19.00, and students with a master’s or law degree get $20.00. Doctoral students get between $18.00-$22.00 an hour depending on factors like relevant coursework, research, and progress toward finishing their degree requirements.