Deadline: April 14, 2026
Applications are open for the Frank Jennings Fellowship – April 2026. The FJ Fellow will spend three and a half months at Front Line Defenders Dublin office where they will be trained in relation to Human Rights Defenders; the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders; the Mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur; the procedures and methodology of the mandate; the role of Front Line Defenders and other national and international organisations in the support and protection of Human Rights Defenders. The Fellow will then enter an internship programme at the OHCHR and will move to Geneva for a period of six months before returning to Front Line Defenders for a further three months.
Fellow’s Responsibilities
When in Dublin:
- Supporting FLD Protection Coordinators with correspondence with human rights defenders;
- Support the drafting urgent appeals on behalf of human rights defenders at risk around the world
- Input HRD related information on the FLD database;
- Support follow-up on cases taken up by Front Line Defenders or other specific projects relating to Human Rights Defenders as requested;
- Minute taking, briefings, reports, appeals;
When in Geneva OHCHR:
- Gather information on the situation of human rights defenders around the world with a particular focus on themes of concern identified by the Special Rapporteur for Human Rights.
- Assist with the drafting of urgent appeals and communications to Governments concerning human rights violations against human rights defenders and support follow-up cases;
- Analyze replies received from Governments and prepare summaries for inclusion in the annual Human Rights Council (HRC) report;
- Assist in the drafting of annual reports to the HRC and the General Assembly;
- Assist in the preparation of background materials for official missions by the Special Rapporteur;
- Assist in liaising with non-governmental organizations for the smooth implementation of the mandate, as needed.
Benefits
- €30,629 per annum
- 13 annual leave days while serving in Dublin
- Flights between Dublin & Geneva for the start and end of the fellowship
- Health and travel insurance
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) while serving in Dublin
- Monthly Well-Being Provisions while serving in Dublin
Whilst in Geneva, OHCHR internship regulations will apply.
Eligibility
Interested applicants must:
- Be within current or one year since completion of their Degree in human rights, social sciences, development or humanitarian studies, or a related field.
- Native or native-level English and fluency in Spanish or French (note they can’t make exceptions to the language requirements).
- Good oral and written communication skills
- Computer literate.
- Excellent administrative skills
- Excellent drafting skills and a proven ability of synthesizing and condensing large amounts of information into succinct briefings.
- Some knowledge of the UN system and international and human rights law.
Candidates must have permission to work in Ireland and Switzerland for the duration of the Fellowship.
Application
Applicants must submit their applications (CV & cover letter) by midnight (local Irish time) on Tuesday, 14th April 2026
For more information, visit Frank Jennings Fellowship.
