Posts Tagged ‘Frank Jennings Fellowship’

Frank Jennings Fellowship 2026–2027: Human Rights Opportunity in Dublin and Geneva

April 15, 2026

The Frank Jennings Fellowship 2026–2027, offered by Front Line Defenders, is a prestigious early-career opportunity designed for individuals seeking practical experience in the human rights sector. This 12.5-month fellowship combines training, field exposure, and institutional engagement across Dublin, Ireland, and Geneva, Switzerland.

The programme is structured to provide hands-on experience working with human rights defenders (HRDs) and international human rights mechanisms, particularly within the United Nations system.

Programme Structure and Learning Experience

The fellowship is divided into three distinct phases, offering a blend of training and applied experience:

  • Initial Phase (3.5 months in Dublin)
    Fellows begin at the headquarters of Front Line Defenders, where they receive training on:
    • Human rights defenders and their protection needs
    • The UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders
    • The mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur
    • International protection mechanisms and advocacy strategies
  • International Placement (6 months in Geneva)
    Fellows transition to an internship with Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, gaining direct exposure to UN processes and global human rights monitoring systems.
  • Final Phase (3 months in Dublin)
    Fellows return to Dublin to consolidate learning and contribute to ongoing organisational work.

This structure ensures a comprehensive understanding of both grassroots advocacy and high-level international human rights systems.

Fellows will undertake a variety of responsibilities depending on their placement phase.

While in Dublin

  • Supporting Protection Coordinators in communication with human rights defenders
  • Assisting in drafting urgent appeals on behalf of at-risk individuals
  • Maintaining and updating internal databases
  • Contributing to reports, briefings, and documentation
  • Supporting follow-up on ongoing human rights cases

While in Geneva (OHCHR)

  • Monitoring global human rights situations, especially concerning defenders
  • Drafting communications and urgent appeals to governments
  • Analysing government responses to human rights allegations
  • Supporting preparation of reports for the Human Rights Council and General Assembly
  • Assisting in preparations for official missions of the UN Special Rapporteur
  • Liaising with NGOs and civil society organisations

This dual exposure enables fellows to develop both operational and analytical expertise.

Benefits and Compensation

The fellowship offers a competitive and supportive package designed to enable full participation:

  • Annual stipend of €30,629
  • 13 days of annual leave during the Dublin phase
  • Flights between Dublin and Geneva
  • Health and travel insurance coverage
  • Access to an Employee Assistance Programme
  • Monthly well-being support while in Dublin

During the Geneva placement, conditions are governed by OHCHR internship regulations.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet strict academic, professional, and language requirements.

Academic and Professional Requirements

  • Recent graduates or candidates within one year of completing a degree
  • Fields of study include:
    • Human rights
    • Social sciences
    • Development studies
    • Humanitarian studies or related disciplines

Skills and Competencies

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Excellent drafting and analytical abilities
  • Ability to synthesise complex information into concise outputs
  • Solid administrative and organisational skills
  • Computer literacy

Language Requirements

  • Native or near-native English proficiency
  • Fluency in either Spanish or French (mandatory)

Additional Requirements

  • Basic knowledge of the UN system and international human rights law
  • Legal eligibility to work in both Ireland and Switzerland for the full duration of the fellowship

Application Process and Deadline

Interested candidates must submit:

  • A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • A tailored cover letter

Applications must be submitted via the official recruitment platform of Front Line Defenders.

Key deadline:

  • 14 April 2026 (midnight Irish time)

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered, and candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible due to the competitive nature of the programme.

VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY

Frank Jennings Fellowship 2026–2027: Human Rights Opportunity in Dublin and Geneva

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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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New Frank Jennings Fellowship with Front Line

March 29, 2018

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 Defenders 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 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.org by 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.

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

 

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