Starting in 2018, Front Line Defenders changed the format of the Award, naming 5 Regional Award Winners, with one chosen as the Global Laureate by a jury comprised of representatives of Ireland’s parliament from a number of political parties. In 2021, Front Line Defenders took the decision to name all 5 regional winners as Global Laureates, in response to the overwhelming positive response to the greater visibility and recognition of the winners of the Award.
For each region of the world (Africa; Americas; Asia-Pacific; Europe & Central Asia; and Middle East & North Africa) there will be one winner selected and Front Line Defenders will recognize all five as the 2023 Front Line Defenders Award Laureates.
The nomination process is open for anyone to submit a nomination of a human rights defender, collective, organisation or community working on any human rights issue and facing significant risk due to their work or operating in an environment that itself is characterised as insecure. The purpose of the Award is to give visibility to HRDs who are not normally acknowledged or recognised at the international level. At the same time, the Award should not bring additional risk for which the HRD is not prepared. In addition to the Award, winners will receive:
a modest financial prize;
a security grant to improve their security measures;
collaboration with Front Line Defenders for media work in recognition of the Award;
advocacy by Front Line Defenders related to the Award and the work of the winners;
an event co-organized by the HRD, local partners and Front Line Defenders to give visibility to the Award in the winners’ countries (as determined and guided by the winners);
the Global Laureates will attend a ceremony in Dublin at a date to be determined;
ongoing security consultation with Front Line Defenders
If you would like to nominate a HRD for the 2023 Front Line Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk, please follow this link to the secure online nomination form
As the person, group or organisation making the nomination, you will be consulted by Front Line Defenders to verify the information submitted and possibly for additional information. Please complete all parts of the nomination form to the best of your ability. Please submit nominations via the online form. If there are any problems using the form, or if you have any questions, please contact: award@frontlinedefenders.org
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.
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.
In 2021, Front Line Defenders took the decision to name all 5 regional winners as Global Laureates. For each region of the world (Africa; Americas; Asia-Pacific; Europe & Central Asia; and Middle East & North Africa) there will be one winner selected and Front Line Defenders will recognize all five as the 2022 Front Line Defenders Award Laureates.
The nomination process is open for anyone to submit a nomination of a human rights defender, collective, organisation or community working on any human rights issue and facing significant risk due to their work or operating in an environment that itself is characterised as insecure. Winners will receive:
a modest financial prize;
a security grant to improve their security measures;
collaboration with Front Line Defenders for media work in recognition of the Award;
advocacy by Front Line Defenders related to the Award and the work of the winners;
an event co-organized by the HRD, local partners and Front Line Defenders to give visibility to the Award in the winners’ countries (as determined and guided by the winners);
the Global Laureates will attend a ceremony in Dublin at a date to be determined;
ongoing security consultation with Front Line Defenders
If you would like to nominate a HRD for the 2022 Front Line Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk, please follow this link to the secure online nomination form 2022 Front Line Defenders Award – Nomination Form
Please submit nominations via the online form. If there are any problems using the form, or if you have any questions, please contact: campaigns@frontlinedefenders.org
On 13 June 2021 Daiana Andreea Nagy Deac wrote about Memorial to Human Rights Defenders which is an art piece situated in The Iveagh Gardens. This monument was inaugurated by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, to commemorate the lives of those people whose voices have been silenced for defending human rights.
Shwe writes that it “is a hidden gem in Dublin and a must-see for art lovers, ..was designed by the international architecture studio Grafton Architects. The Memorial to Human Rights Defenders can impact the viewer not only for the strength of its message but also for the level of detail and hidden symbolism in its artistic execution. This work is built in the shape of a walk-in room surrounded by a metal screen, which I think has an enveloping effect because the viewer not only admires the art piece from the outside but has to enter it to observe it in its entirety. On the metal screen, different plaques treasure the last words of some heroes and heroines who lost their lives fighting for human rights.“
Another curious detail of this monument is that in the middle we find five upright stones engraved with Ogham script, which is the written interpretation of primitive Irish, the oldest form of the Irish language. The plates containing the words of the human rights defenders are also written in Irish as well as English, so I think that in addition to offering an important message, The Memorial to Human Rights Defenders also celebrates Irish culture.
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.
is currently seeking an individual demonstrating extensive events, communications and marketing experience to work as part of its Events and Promotions Team in the lead up to the 2019 Dublin Human Rights Festival and the 2019 Dublin Platform for Human Rights Defenders, and to provide maternity cover for the permanent post-holder.
Key tasks (July – October 2019, full-time);
manage the 2019 Dublin Human Rights Festival (planning, implementation and managing logistics; maintaining partner relations and building the Festival audience through extensive marketing and promotion; and managing staff and volunteers to support the event);
deputise to the International Events & Promotions Coordinator on all aspects of the 2019 Dublin Platform;
supporting 200+ delegate visa and travel arrangements;
coordination of airport transfers;
management at hotel and conference venue;
management of conference agenda, registration, interpretation, social programme and all conference administration;
task delegation and support to colleagues and volunteers as appropriate; and
supporting team in achieving all deliverables related to the 2019 Dublin Platform;
updating and maintaining Front Line Defenders database and working documents; and
offer coordination and support to the organisation as required.
Key tasks Maternity Cover (October 2019 – August 2020, part-time @ 4 days per week / 28 hours per week):
organise the 2020 Front Line Defenders Award including coordinating nomination process, liaising with colleagues and jury members, planning and managing award ceremony logistics and developing programme for the regional award winners and advocacy tour for global laureate;
make timely preparations for the 2021 Dublin Platform;
organise HRD speakers tours and other promotional events;
conduct public outreach and engagement with Irish public and specific groups;
maintain positive working relationships with vendors and venues; and
offer coordination and support to the organisation as required.
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate inter alia:
a proven track record of success developing and executing marketing strategies for event promotion;
experience working with graphic designers;
experience preparing and managing event budgets with strict adherence;
excellent oral and written communication skills;
strong computer literacy (database, mailouts, spreadsheets etc); and
The role will be based at the organisation’s headquarters in Blackrock, Dublin. Candidates must be legally entitled to work in Ireland at time of application. The salary will be equivalent to Clerical Officer Higher on the civil service scale (EUR 30,089 pro rata) This is a fixed-term contract for the period 22 July 2019 to 28 August 2020.
Applications comprising a cover letter (1 page) and CV (2 page max.) should be sent to Michelle Foley, International Events & Promotions Coordinator at recruit@frontlinedefenders.org by Friday, 21 June 2019. Please put the name of the role you are applying for in the subject title of the email.
Shortlisted applications should be available for interview in the week commencing the 1 July 2019, and the successful applicant will begin in the position on Monday, 22 July 2019.
To celebrate the voices and actions of human rights defenders from Ireland and around the world, leading human rights organisations [Front Line Defenders, National LGBT Federation, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, the National Women’s Council of Ireland, Fighting Words & LASC] have once again come together to bring a weekend with interactive workshops, panel discussions, artistic performances: Dublin Human Rights Festival 2018, 23-24 November 2018. If only more countries would be able to organize things at this scale! Read the rest of this entry »
The Frank Jennings Fellowship was set up to give an opportunity for dedicated and talented individuals to gain experience working for the protection of human rights defenders in an international NGO and at the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. It is named after Front Line Defenders’ former Head of Research who died after a long illness in 2005. Frank made a huge contribution to the development of human rights activism in Ireland and candidates who have some experience of human rights work in Ireland will be given priority.
The Frank Jennings Fellow spends 3 months at Front Line Defenderswhere 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 move to Geneva for a period 6 months before returning to Front Line Defenders for a further 3 months.
The Fellow will be able to draft well and have good analytical skills. They will have some knowledge of the UN system and international and human rights law. They must be able to work in both English and Spanish (required!). 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 and co-operative. Previous work experience with organisations working in the field of Human Rights would be desirable.
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 faxing, photocopying, word processing, sending press releases, data entry, collating, emailing
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 liasing with non-governmental organizations for the smooth implementation of the mandate, as needed.
Honorarium: €1200 per month Dublin and €1400 per month Geneva.
The next Frank Jennings Fellowship will start on 1 April 2018.
Applications comprising a cover letter and CV should be sent to Ed O’Donovan, Head of Protection, at recruit@frontlinedefenders.orgby 30 November 2017.
Important: please indicate the FULL title of the position you are applying for in the subject heading of email: ‘Frank Jennings Internship’ or the application may be missed.
Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards 