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York Centre for Applied Human Rights offers Sam Pegram Scholarship 2025/26

March 19, 2025

CAHR announces details of the Sam Pegram Scholarship for the 2025/26 academic year

The Sam Pegram Scholarship provides one international student with full funding to pursue an LLM in International Human Rights Law and Practice offered by the York Law School and the Centre for Applied Human Rights.

Funding: Full tuition fee waiver, travel and visa costs, accommodation and living costs, and overseas placement.
Academic year: 2025/26
Open to: International (including EU) students
Qualification level: Postgraduate taught
Number available: 1

This is a full scholarship that covers tuition fees, accommodation, travel and visa costs, including an overseas placement to South Africa, and a monthly living stipend for one individual student.

The scholarship is generously provided by The Sam Pegram Humanitarian Foundation in memory of Sam Pegram, a caring, kind and talented young man who tragically died in the Ethiopian Airlines’ Boeing 737 Max crash, in 2019, en route to Nairobi.

After spending two years volunteering and working for humanitarian NGOs in Jordan, Sam came to the University of York to study the LLM in International Human Rights Law and Practice. After graduating, he secured a role as a research policy assistant for the Norwegian Refugee Council in Geneva, where he was working when he died.

Sam was a wonderful presence in the classroom. He was committed, thoughtful and reflexive in his fieldwork. He was deeply committed to humanitarianism, the rights of people on the move, and social justice in a broad sense. He remains deeply missed by his friends and family here at York, in Lancashire where he was from, and around the world.

Through this scholarship, others will have the opportunity to study on this course and make a positive difference for the rights of people on the move and human rights more generally.

Eligibility

Open to International (including EU) students only.

In order to be eligible, you must also have an offer for a place on this course: LLM International Human Rights Law and Practice

To apply, you must also:

have applied to study on the LLM in International Human Rights Law and Practice at the University of York on a full-time basis
demonstrate that you have limited financial resources and that you need the scholarship to pursue your postgraduate studies
demonstrate a passion for human rights, either through your previous academic studies, professional work, or volunteer activities
have a demonstrable specific interest in migration issues, and that you wish to pursue or consolidate a career working on issues affecting people on the move, including generally and in relation to their social exclusion
have some lived experience of human rights challenges or migration issues.

How to apply

Apply online before the deadline on Saturday, 31st May 2025, 11.59pm BST

https://www.york.ac.uk/cahr/news/2025/sam-pegram-scholarship-2025/

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Tags: call for applications, career, Centre for Applied Human Rights., Education, fellowship, Human Rights Defenders, LLM, news, Sam Pegram Scholarship, scholarships, York university

Amnesty International looking for Senior Regional Campaigner for Eastern Europe and Central Asia region

December 19, 2022

The urgent human rights issues in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region are hugely varied and demand creative campaigns that are well-researched, well-planned and well-managed despite the time pressures that surround them.

JOB PURPOSE: To lead the identification, development, implementation and evaluation of Amnesty International’s campaigning and advocacy strategies on human rights violations in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region, to deliver impact in relation to agreed priorities, utilizing political judgment and analytical, communication and representational skills.

ABOUT YOU

Lead the development and implementation of campaign strategies, ensuring campaigns result in measurable change.
Advise on, coordinate and review the contribution to relevant campaigns by regional colleagues and other programmes.
Coordinate action planning and ensure consistency with campaigning standards and optimal use of resources.
Assess opportunities for action, identifying creative and effective campaigning tactics.
Provide advice to sections and structures and external partners on the development and implementation of campaign strategies.
Responsible for ensuring there is effective communication between relevant IS teams, sections and structures and partners about projects.
Draft, review and advise on campaign materials for internal and external use, ensuring products are coherent within the campaign strategy.
Communicate AI’s concerns, positions and messages to external and internal audiences.
Contribute to planning, execution and evaluation stages of campaign projects; develop and share campaigning best practice.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

The ability to adapt to fast-changing political situations in, and related to, Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Experience of leading and implementing campaigns at the national & international level and the ability to lead innovation and creative approaches to campaigning.
Knowledge of working on, and in, the region and a specialist knowledge in relation to specific countries or other geographical areas in the region.
Digitally competent, with experience of digital campaigning and keeping up to date with digital trends and campaigning methodologies.
Experience of working with colleagues and partners based around the world.
Excellent communications skills in English and Russian in a fluent, clear and concise way. Knowledge of another regional language desirable
Experience of leading project teams and the ability to engage and inspire team members.
Experience of managing conflicting demands, meeting deadlines and adjusting priorities
Ability to undertake research to gather information relevant to the development of campaign strategies.
Ability to evaluate campaigns and projects and to report progress against stated objectives; experience of managing budgets and reporting against expenditure.

Amnesty International is committed to creating and sustaining a working environment in which everyone has an equal opportunity to fulfill their potential and we welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community. For further information on our benefits, please visit https://www.amnesty.org/en/careers/benefits/

APPLY HERE

https://careers.amnesty.org/vacancy/senior-regional-campaigner-london-3481/3509/description/

Posted in AI, Amnesty international | 1 Comment »
Tags: AI, Amnesty International, career, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, job opportunity, London, vacancy

Applications for Frank Jennings Fellowship at Front Line Defenders now open

October 17, 2022

The Frank Jennings Fellowship 2021/2022 [see https://humanrightsdefenders.blog/2018/03/29/new-frank-jennings-fellowship-with-front-line/] is now open for applications.

The Fellow will spend three and a half months in the Front Line Defenders office in Dublin 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.

The successful candidate will have excellent drafting skills and a proven ability of synthesising and condensing large amounts of information into succinct briefings. They will also have excellent administrative skills. They will have some knowledge of the UN system and international and human rights law. They must have native or native-level English and fluency in Spanish (please note we can’t make exceptions to the language requirements). They will be a recent university graduate (see note below).

Basic Terms of reference – Front Line Defenders Dublin

Provide support to Front Line Defenders’ Protection Coordinators including dealing with routine queries and correspondence with human rights defenders;
Cooperate closely with the Regional Fellows and Protection Coordinators in drafting urgent appeals on behalf of human rights defenders at risk around the world:
Input HRD-related information on the Front Line Defenders database;
Undertake clerical tasks such as data entry, collating, emailing and maintenance of the database;
Support follow-up on cases taken up by Front Line Defenders or other specific projects relating to Human Rights Defenders as requested;
Draft as requested, minutes, briefings, reports, appeals;

Basic Terms of Reference – Geneva SR

Gather information on the situation of human rights defenders around the world (with a particular focus on themes of concern identified by the SR);
In coordination with other thematic mechanisms and with geographic desk officers, and under the supervision of the HRD assistant to the SR, draft urgent appeals and communications to Governments concerning human rights violations against human rights defenders;
Support follow-up of cases;
Analyse 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.

Whilst in Geneva, OHCHR internship regulations will apply.

Honorarium: €1400 per month Dublin and €1700 per month Geneva.

Please note that in order to comply with OHCHR internship regulations, applicants will need to be currently enrolled in university or have graduated from university no more than one year previous to beginning the OHCHR internship.

https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/frank-jennings-fellowship-dublin-and-geneva

https://www.humanrightscareers.com/jobs/the-frank-jennings-fellowship/

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Tags: call for applications, career, Dublin, fellowship Program, Frank Jennings Fellowship, Front Line Defenders, Geneva, job opportunity, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, stagiaires

Front Line Defenders looking for Head of Protection

January 17, 2022

Front Line Defenders is looking for a Head of Protection.

The Head of Protection (HoP) is a critical senior leadership role in the organisation, managing a large global team and directing crucial organisations trategy on HRD protection in countries and regions. The HoP has overall responsibility for the management, sustainability, cohesion and well-being of the Protection Team. Together with Protection Team Managers, they provide and support the strategy and direction of timely and appropriate responses to human rights defenders at risk globally, ensuring holistic and effective protection support.

The HoP holds a strategic overview of the trends, challenges and responses for HRD protection, and shapes our organizational position through ensuring this is reflected in strategy, communication and representation, and our various holistic protection responses. The Head of Protection is also part of the organisation management team, directly supporting the Directors in the strategy, planning, management and evaluation of the all aspects of the organisation.

Deadline: 17th January 2022

Download the full advert here.

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Tags: career, Dublin, Front Line Defenders, Human Rights Defenders, job opportunity, post, vacancy

Russian resolution on participation of women in activities promoting global peace defeated in Security Council – explanation

November 2, 2020

Yoy may have read in the news that on Friday 30 October 2020 the U.N. Security Council defeated a Russian resolution to commemorate the 20th anniversary of a U.N. measure demanding equal participation for women in activities promoting global peace. The email vote on the resolution was 5-0, with 10 countries abstaining, far less than the minimum nine “yes” votes required for adoption. [see also: https://humanrightsdefenders.blog/2020/08/03/roadmap-to-women-peace-and-security-wps-agenda-2020/]

The Russian draft was supported by Russia, China, Vietnam, Indonesia and South Africa. The countries that abstained were the United States, United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Dominican Republic, Germany, Estonia, Niger, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Tunisia. The opponents were objecting to its failure to adequately address human rights and the key role of civil society in pushing for gender equality. If you are puzzled by this outcome the attached statement by CARE explains:

https://apnews.com/article/china-germany-europe-russia-united-nations-e67b5b5856a20d5601294dfdcd12252a

https://reliefweb.int/report/world/care-statement-failure-russia-s-draft-resolution-women-peace-and-security

Posted in Human Rights Defenders, UN | Leave a Comment »
Tags: career, peace, Peace and Security (WPS), Russia, the UN Security Council, women, women human rights defenders

Front Line Defenders seeks new Deputy Director

May 12, 2020

Front Line’s current Deputy Director Andrea Rocca is sadly leaving and Front Line Defenders is now seeking candidates for the position of Deputy Director, reporting to and working together with the Executive Director, Andrew Anderson. The post is based in the organization’s headquarters in Dublin. The division of responsibilities between the Executive Director and the Deputy Director may be revised based on needs and relevant expertise.

The Deputy Director has particular responsibility for the following areas of work:
➢ Research & Policy regarding security& protection of human rights defenders;
➢ Office security, mission security, security and well-being of staff;
➢ Advocacy/lobbying;
➢ Capacity Building;
➢ Digital security;
➢ Strategy & Planning;
➢ The Dublin Platform;

The role includes regular international travel and representation of the organization.

Applications

Applications should be sent by email to recruit@frontlinedefenders.org with the job title “Deputy Director” in the subject heading. Applications should contain a CV and cover letter with two references in one pdf format document that should not be more than five pages. Please do not include additional attachments. The deadline for applications is 25th May 2020. We expect to organize a first round of interviews online in early June.

Required Competencies

She/he should have at least five years of working at a senior level for the protection of human rights defenders /or equivalent experience in a human rights based activity/organisation in a leadership role and have experience of management, budgeting, planning and evaluation. The Deputy Director will have strong communication and analytical skills. She/he will have a very good understanding of the political environment for human rights defenders and an understanding of international human rights law and the relevant parts of the UN system. She/ he will have a high level of interpersonal skills and will lead by example to motivate staff and ensure the values and culture of the organisation are maintained.
Experience of working in an international context for the protection of human rights/human rights defenders, ideally experience of working in an international or regional human rights/human rights defenders NGO.
Experience of working with gender-focused initiatives, including but not limited to gender policies and gender-sensitive programming. Proven understanding of how gender intersects with race, disability, class and sexuality in human rights defenders’ lived experiences and their protection needs.
Excellent political judgement, including the ability to make strategic choices based on sound analysis of potential costs and benefits.
Management experience in a relevant field that includes financial management, people management, staff well-being, strategic planning and evaluation.
Experience of building and working successfully with teams of people with different professional or cultural backgrounds.
A third level qualification, ideally in the area of human rights, law, politics, international relations or other relevant discipline.
Personal leadership, initiative and proactivity. Capable of identifying and resolving potential problems before they arise. Sound decision making, extremely well organised and structured in approach.
Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills in English is essential and working knowledge of one of Front Line Defenders other working languages (Arabic, French, Russian and Spanish) is desirable.

—————-

Download the Deputy Director Job Advert

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Tags: Andrea Rocca, Andrew Anderson, career, deputy director, Dublin, Front Line Defenders, job opportunity, post, recruitment, vacancy

Scholars at Risk has a number of vacancies

October 6, 2019

Scholars at Risk is staffed by a team of professionals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. Take a look at the available positions listed below and apply as soon as possible, as positions are filled on a rolling basis. If you have an interest in volunteering or offering pro-bono services to SAR, please email them at scholarsatrisk@nyu.edu with a short proposal and a copy of your resume or CV.

Grants Associate/Officer

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is seeking a highly-organized and team-oriented individual to join the SAR team as a grants associate/officer. Position summary This is new position will support SAR’s program and fundraising efforts by providing primary drafting and reporting on

Department Administrator

Scholars at Risk (SAR) seeks a Department Administrator to manage a variety of administrative and business processes and operations in support of SAR’s efforts to protect scholars and promote academic freedoms worldwide and to ensure the effective delivery of services

Conference Planner, SAR Network Global Congress

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is seeking a highly-motivated, detail-focused, flexible and team-oriented individual to manage planning, delivery and follow-up to the 2020 SAR Global Congress, a large-scale, multi-institution biennial event that brings together up to 300 representatives of SAR network

Deputy Director

Scholars at Risk (SAR) seeks a Deputy Director (DD) to have overall responsibility for SAR’s day-to-day programming, internal operations, and administration. POSITION SUMMARY Reporting to the Executive Director (ED), the DD supports the Executive Director and the SAR Board, promoting

Advocacy Intern (Spring 2020)

Scholars at Risk (SAR) seeks a dedicated, detail-oriented intern with excellent writing and research skills to join SAR’s Advocacy team for Spring 2020. This intern may be based in SAR’s New York City office or based remotely. This position reports

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Tags: Academic freedom, career, job opportunity, position, Scholars at Risk, vacancy

Front Line Defenders seeks advocacy officer for its EU office

January 14, 2019

FRONT LINE DEFENDERS has an opening at its EU OFFICE for an Advocacy Officer at Front Line Defenders’ EU office in Brussels

Contract: Full time position, indefinite (permanent) contract under Belgian law

Responsibilities

The Advocacy Officer helps develop the work of Front Line Defenders at European Union level as part of a small 2-person team in Brussels. This work includes the following tasks:

Responsibility for sending appeals on cases of human rights defenders at risk to EU/Member State authorities and to Norway/Switzerland to press them for action in accordance with the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders and beyond;
Tracking results achieved, and compiling detailed data on responses for analysis and for reporting to headquarters;
Analysis, in coordination with Front Line Defenders’ Protection Coordinators, on the impact of EU action on Human Rights Defenders, and development and updating of strategies on maximising EU/MS response and impact on HRDs;
Preparing, in coordination with Front Line Defenders’ Protection Coordinators, briefings on HRDs for input into EU meetings;
By delegation of the Head of Office, participating in EU briefing and debriefing meetings, and advocate on HRD issues and individual cases;
In coordination with the Head of Office, initiating and undertaking advocacy actions, in particular through the development of contacts with EU/Member State officials;
Organising and coordinating events, including visits of human rights defenders, awareness-raising workshops, etc.;
Leading and participating in coordination activities with other NGOs;
Assist with fundraising and advocacy on financial matters;

Desired profile and required qualifications

Minimum two years of relevant experience as advocacy/political officer, and sound knowledge of the functioning of the EU Institutions, EU human rights instruments, policy and practice, and international human rights standards;
Dedication to the protection of human rights defenders and to the promotion of the UN Declaration on human rights defenders;
Knowledge of civil society and experience of human rights NGO work and/or work within the EU institutions (EEAS, Devco, EP) preferable;
Experience of advocacy and campaigning;
Strong organisation and time-management skills;
Excellent communication, relational and diplomatic skills, both oral and written in English and French;
Computer skills (office applications, database updating);

Salary €3050 per month gross. Conditions are according to Belgian legislation including the legal ability to live and work in Belgium.

If you feel you meet our criteria, and feel inspired by the objectives and challenges of the position, please send a letter of motivation and a CV to euoffice@frontlinedefenders.org by midnight on Sunday 27 January 2018 (strict deadline).

Interviews are planned to take place on 11-18 February. The position will start on 15 May.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted – thank you for your understanding.

http://jobs.euractiv.com/job/advocacy-officer-179212

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Tags: advocacy work, Brussels, career, EU, Front Line (NGO), Front Line Defenders, job opportunity, vacancy

ProtectDefenders is seeking an experienced manager for its Brussels office: 15 October deadline!

October 9, 2018

ProtectDefenders.eu is the EU Human Rights Defenders mechanism, established to protect Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) at high risk and facing the most difficult situations worldwide. The mechanism is implemented by a Consortium of 12 international NGOs with the support of the European Commission. The EU HRD mechanism began its operations on 1st October 2015 for a duration of 36 months, this project has been extended by another year, with the possibility of renewal for 3 years in 2019.

ProtectDefenders.eu is seeking to recruit an experienced manager to run the Secretariat of the mechanism in Brussels and to ensure coordination of the project implementation and all related financial and narrative reporting. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced manager with strong communication skills who will play a crucial role in the successful implementation of the project.

…..

Tasks & General Responsibilities:
The HoS reports directly to the Chair of the Board of ProtectDefenders.eu. She/He works under the supervision and management of the Board with the assistance of other Secretariat staff members: she/he coordinates effectively all elements of the mechanism so as to help deliver the commitments of the Consortium in an efficient and effective manner; provides overall representation of, and coordination between, Consortium members; ensures liaison with the EU Commission, EEAS, EP and other external actors; manages the Secretariat and its staff.

……

Experience/knowledge:
-  Masters Degree in International Relations, Human Rights, Law or other related field
-  Minimum of five years of successfully managing the implementation of complex projects, ideally
  EU funded projects, preferably with an international NGO
-  Demonstrated experience in developing and managing large budgets, with preference for previous
  experience with a Consortium or a network.
-  Experience in working on projects funded by major international donors, with preference for
  previous experience with EU.
-  Strong coordination/negotiation skills with the ability to effectively coordinate among partner
  organisations and with diverse partners and stakeholders
-  Understanding of the security and protection of human rights defenders around the world.
  Skills:
-  Excellent oral and written English language skills, French or Spanish requested
-  Strong management skills
-  Strong analytical skills
-  Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
  This position will be available to begin from November 2018. The initial contract is a fix-term contract up to December 2019. The Head of Secretariat will be based in ProtectDefenders.eu Secretariat in Brussels. The Head of Secretariat should have the necessary permit to work in the EU. The gross monthly salary for the position is €4.100 with lunch vouchers, transportation costs, health insurance coverage and retirement plan.
  
  Applications comprising a CV with at least two references and a cover letter should be sent by email to recruit@protectdefenders.eu by October 15th 2018. Interviews will be planned in the week of the 22nd of October.

Posted in EU | Leave a Comment »
Tags: Brussels, career, job opening, job opportunity, ProtectDefenders.eu, Secretariat, vacancy

Job opportunities at the International Service for Human Rights

October 4, 2017

International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) announces two vacancies:

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in human rights, Human Rights Defenders, ISHR | Leave a Comment »
Tags: career, fellowship, Geneva, International Service for Human Rights, ISHR, job opportunity, New York, UN, UN Human Rights Council, UPR, vacancy

Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards