This report presents a detailed analysis of an internship conducted at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) within the Methodology, Education, and Training Section, in the Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures, and Right to Development Division. The internship focused primarily on three key projects: the new OHCHR Intranet and Knowledge Hub, which concentrate on supporting the migration of current TESPRDD using prepared spreadsheets and building field presence sites, developing the UN Human Rights Knowledge Gateway & Library Development new intranet site pages, and contributing to updates of the OHCHR Library managed Human Rights Council voting records and archiving. These projects aimed to enhance the organization’s information infrastructure and knowledge management by improving the accessibility and usability of critical resources.
The report discusses the challenges of ensuring comprehensive access to information within a global organization like OHCHR, highlighting the importance of inclusive design, effective search tools, and user-centered practices. It focuses on the critical importance of building information infrastructures that ensure the accessibility of resources. It will explore how providing a comprehensive view of available information, informing and engaging stakeholders, and guaranteeing that materials are accessible without interference can contribute to the effectiveness of an organization. Additionally, it will discuss the role of search tools in enhancing accessibility, ensuring that users can easily find and utilize information without barriers.
The theoretical framework underpinning this analysis applies socio-technical systems (STS) theory to explore the interaction between social and technical components in organizational settings. STS theory offers insights into how these elements influence system implementation and performance. The study highlights the need to balance social and technical factors to achieve optimal outcomes and provides practical recommendations for improving system design and execution.
The report also explores the alignment of these projects with SDG 4, SDG 9, SDG 16, and SDG 17. Through practical solutions such as the development and migration of a user-friendly intranet, this report demonstrates how the internship supported OHCHR’s mission to promote and enhance human rights globally.
