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GIZ is recruiting for a Legal trainee in the Human Rights Sector Project: Apply Now

Ednah Carrick September 23, 2025

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Closing Date: 31 October 2025

GIZ is recruiting for a Legal trainee in the Human Rights Sector Project: Apply Now

Overview

A better life for everyone and meaningful work for its employees – that’s GIZ model for success. For more than 50 years, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), a German Federal Government company, has been supporting the global implementation of development policy goals. Together with partner organizations in 120 countries, GIZ is involved in a wide variety of projects. If you want to make a difference in the world and develop yourself in the process, you’ve come to the right place.

Field of activity

GIZ is seeking legal trainees to support the implementation of the human rights approach in development cooperation. The Human Rights Sector Project advises the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) on the implementation of a human rights approach in bilateral and multilateral development cooperation. The goal is to implement human rights standards and principles in all areas of development policy and practice, thereby effectively contributing to reducing the structural causes of poverty in partner countries. The focus of this work includes supporting the BMZ in its international positioning and strategic and conceptual work on human rights. Furthermore, government implementing organizations are advised on strengthening the human rights approach in development policy practice.

Your tasks

Support on legal issues of human rights, including the rights of indigenous peoples, freedom of religion and belief, flight and migration, climate and environment, economic, social and cultural rights and development banks
Participation in commentaries and human rights assessments for the Human Rights, Equality, and Inclusion Division of the BMZ
Supporting the mainstreaming of human rights in implementing organizations (e.g. through presentations)
Support in knowledge management within GIZ
Analysis of current international law studies and publications

Legal trainee profile

You can only apply if you are in legal preparatory service and have the job title “Rechtsreferendar*in”.
Further necessary prerequisites include legal knowledge of the system for the protection of human rights at the regional level and within the United Nations, for example through the choice of study focus.
In addition, conceptual and analytical skills as well as fluent German and English are required.
Practical experience in the field of human rights and/or development cooperation is an advantage.
Applicants should have a quick grasp of the subject and be open to engaging with current political issues.
You should have good, politically sensitive communication skills in written and oral form and the ability to present even complex issues in an understandable way.
Knowledge of French and/or Spanish is also desirable.

Notes

GIZ is looking for applicants year-round. Please let GIZ know the exact dates you’re interested in your cover letter. Please send your application documents by email to Mr. Fjodor Winkelmann.

For any questions regarding the content, please contact Mr. Winkelmann ([email protected]).