Front Line Defenders invites applications for a Research & Admin Fellowship to support its work in the Americas. The selected candidate will work in close coordination with the Protection Coordinators for the region, and will also provide support to other relevant staff across other programme areas in relation to our work in the region, as required. This will initially be a remote position but the successful candidate should ideally be based in Mexico City. Should the situation allow, the Fellow will be invited to Front Line Defenders main office in Dublin to complete the Fellowship.
The fellowship is designed to provide training and practical work experience in an international non-governmental organisation to recent graduates seeking a career in human rights. The fellow will learn about Human Rights Defenders; the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders; the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur; the role of Front Line Defenders and other national and international organisations in the support and protection of human rights defenders; the specific situation and challenges facing human rights defenders in the region and advocacy at the EU level. They will be expected to participate in induction, periodic reviews, weekly team and case meetings, and relevant out-of-hours events.
The successful candidate will be able to draft well and have good analytical skills. They will have some knowledge of the UN system, the EU system and international and human rights law. They must be able to work in both English and Spanish. Please note that we cannot make exceptions to the language requirement.
They will be able to work on own initiative and as a member of a team. They will have good oral and written communication skills and be computer literate. They will be flexible, have good interpersonal skills, good stress management skills and be cooperative. An ability to multitask and prioritize is a must. Previous work experience with organisations working in the field of human rights is essential and previous experience of working remotely is desirable.
Basic terms of reference:
– Provide support to the Protection Coordinators working on the Americas, including casework and dealing with queries and correspondence with human rights defenders;
– Input HRD-related information on the Front Line Defenders’ database;
– Undertake research on human rights defenders in countries in the region;
– Compile and draft as requested briefings, country summaries, input to reports, urgent appeals, or other materials;
– Provide support to staff across other programme areas in relation to activities carried out in the region, including in particular in the organisation of and follow-up on trainings;
– Carry out administrative duties as requested, including the taking of minutes in meetings, as well as translating administrative documents from Spanish/English and English/Spanish;
– Provide Spanish language support as necessary, including simultaneous translation for human rights defenders and Front Line Defenders staff;
– Work on other specific projects and tasks relating to human rights defenders as requested.
-Provide flexible support to the Rest and Respite programme, including, but not limited to, accompanying human rights defenders to events and translating.
Please include your CV and cover letter in the same attachment and title it as “last name_first name”. Applications should be sent to Ed O’Donovan, at recruit@frontlinedefenders.org by 30 September. The next Research & Admin Fellowship – Americas will begin in late October/early November 2020 for a period of nine months. Unfortunately due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Front Line Defenders will provide a contribution to living costs. If the situation allows, the Fellow’s flight costs to Dublin will be reimbursed. Please note that the cost of living in Dublin is high and additional funds may be necessary should a move be possible.
Front Line Defenders is an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
In providing protection and support to human rights defenders, Front Line Defenders and its staff are committed to:
– focus on the primacy and centrality of defenders;
– demonstrate profound respect and empathy for defenders;
– meet the needs expressed by the defenders in a fast, flexible and relentless manner;
– achieve tangible impact;
– act with independence, impartiality and integrity;
– perform with dedication, professionalism and accountability;
– show transparency and openness;
– develop participative and cooperative relations.