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.
The Oxford Human Rights Hub (OxHRH) brings together academics, practitioners, and policy-makers from across the globe to advance the understanding and protection of human rights and equality. Through the vigorous exchange of ideas and resources, we strive to facilitate a better understanding of human rights principles, to develop new approaches to policy, and to influence the development of human rights law and practice.
The Oxford Human Rights Hub (OxHRH) is currently inviting applications for two paid internships jointly organised with ASSEDEL (Strasbourg).
ASSEDEL (L’Association européenne pour la défense des droits et des libertés) is a non-profit organisation, established to disseminate, promote and defend human rights and fundamental freedoms in the spirit of the European Convention on Human Rights, both within the Council of Europe system and at the local, national and international levels. The organization guides and supports victims of human rights violations.
ASSEDEL works with local and international partners, submits reports to worldwide organizations, informs the public and publishes opinion articles about human rights violations and humanitarian issues such as immigration, women’s rights, discrimination, new technologies, environment, children’s rights, education, freedom of speech, rule of law and democracy.
Tasks include:
Analysis of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and publication of articles on these judgments
Creating partnerships with the civil society organisations working with the ECtHR
Following the implementations of the judgments of the Court
Preparing applications to the Court, in particular on Rule 39 cases
Creating working relations with relevant structures of the Council of Europe
Participating in relevant meetings at the Council of Europe and the ECtHR
Duration and starting dates
Duration: min. 3 months (a longer period can be negotiated)
Start dates: September 2024 or February 2025 (please indicate preference in your application letter)
Requirements
Essential
A strong understanding of human rights law, in particular: knowledge about the human rights bodies in Strasbourg
Strong editorial skills
Good communication skills
Strong research skills
Desirable
Working knowledge of French
Ability to use digital tools
Eligibility
These internships are open to current graduate students in (or recent graduates of) the Law Faculty in the University of Oxford.
Stipend
Each intern will receive a stipend of EUR 700 per month (which should be sufficient to cover living costs in Strasbourg).
How to Apply
Applicants are invited to send:
A cover letter (2 pages max) outlining how they qualify for the role, their availability and experience;
Digital Communications Officer – Geneva (Maternity Cover, 60%)
Do you have a passion for changing the world? Are you a fan of new technologies and the opportunities offered by the digital space? Then this might be the right opportunity for you! This temporary position (5-8 months) within ISHR’s communications team offers a unique opportunity to view the United Nations human rights system at work in Geneva. It provides hands-on experience working for an international non-governmental organisation as well as the opportunity to contribute to our work supporting human rights defenders to achieve a world that’s more equal, fair and sustainable. How to apply.
Programme Internships – New York
The internship offers a unique opportunity to view the United Nations human rights system at work in New York. It provides hands-on experience working for an international non-governmental organisation as well as the opportunity to contribute to our work supporting human rights defenders, strengthening human rights systems, building and leading human rights coalitions, and responding to significant and systemic situations of concern. How to apply.
Programme Internships – Geneva
The ISHR Programme internships offer a unique opportunity to view the United Nations human rights system at work in Geneva. They provide hands-on experience working for an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) as well as the opportunity to contribute to our work supporting human rights defenders, strengthening human rights systems, building and leading human rights coalitions, and responding to significant and systemic human rights concern. How to apply.
The European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) and the Kreuzberger Kinderstiftung, the scholarship sponsor, recognize that there continue to be barriers to entry into the human rights profession that go against the spirit of our work, i.e. when economic or social considerations prevent potential participants from taking part. Therefore they offer young people with limited financial means and/or from underrepresented geographic and social backgrounds the chance to gain professional experience in human rights work.
The call for applications is aimed at students and young professionals (max one year after graduation) who wish to apply for ECCHR’s Legal Training Program but whose personal and financial situation would make it impossible to participate on an unpaid basis. Candidates from the Global South as well as refugees and others with a migration background are especially encouraged to apply.
Applications are invited for internships in the Human Rights Unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland. Human Rights are accorded a high priority in Irish foreign policy. The positions in the Human Rights Unit are for a period of up to eleven months, with the first position commencing in April 2016. A shortlist of suitable candidates will be established from which the internship positions will be filled. Successful candidates will possess inter alia the following qualifications/experience:
first or second class honours degree in Law, International Relations, Human Rights, Politics or another relevant discipline is required
post-graduate or professional qualification is desirable
good knowledge of International and/or Human Rights Law
Work experience, preferably of at least 6 months duration, with organisations working in the field of human rights would be desirable.
Good computer skills.
Candidates wishing to apply for the intern positions should complete the application form (please do NOT submit CVs). Make sure that you are using the 2016 application form. Please use a clearly legible computer font to complete this form. Handwritten applications will not be accepted. Completed application forms, clearly marked, INTERN APPLICATION, should be submitted by close of business, Thursday, 4 February, 2016 to:
Mr. Colin Wrafter
Director
Human Rights Unit
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 79-80 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2
Email: hruintern[at]dfa[dot]ie
During a recruitment process Front Line does not generally review applications received until after the closing date. Shortlisting can take some time given the volume of applications it receives, but all applications receive a reply by email.
The NGO Front Line Defenders has a vacancy for an internship at the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) for 2014-2015, starting on 9 June. The purpose of the Internship is to support the work of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders at the ACHPR. It is a 12 month position based in Banjul, the Gambia. Compensation is 950 $ per month. The deadline for applications is 18 April 2014. Applications can be sent by email to recruit[at]frontlinedefenders.org.
Dublin-based Front Line Defendersseeks to recruit staff and volunteers in an open and transparent manner and to increase cultural diversity within the Front Line Defenders staff. Therefore, all positions are advertised via its website. Due to the volume of requests, it is not possible to keep general applications or CVs on file but it will respond to all applications by email. Two posts are open at the moment:
Digital Security Consultant Southeast Asia region
Digital Security Consultant MENA region
Front Line is also looking for:
Regional internship: Middle East & North Africa, Arabic-speaking
Regional internship: Europe, Central Asia & Asia, Russian-speaking
Admin & Publications Internship
Regional Internship: Africa & Americas Internship, Portuguese speaking
Frank Jennings Internship 2014/2015 (in Dublin and Geneva)
Front Line Defenders Internship for postgraduate students of Peking University China (in Dublin)
The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) is currently seeking to recruit a FULL TIME INTERN for the Urgent Campaigns and the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders. The non-remunerated position should be filled as soon as possible. Duration of the internship: minimum 3 months.
How do I become an international human rights lawyer? is the topic of an article by Hannah Gannagé-Stewart in the Guardian of Friday 26 April 2013. She rightly starts by stating that “the life of an international human rights lawyer is not all jet setting glamour”. Still, it is one of the most frequent questions put to me at the end of a lecture, often during the reception afterwards under 4 eyes: “I would like to work for human rights – what do you advise me?” is the usual opening line. My half-serious standard reply: “if your really want to work FOR human rights, I advise you to get very rich and donate half your wealth to the human rights movement“, is not always appreciated, but correct at the macro level as the shortage of funds is much more problematic than that of talent and devotion in the human rights movement. The question asked was of course situated at the micro level as in: “I want to work IN human rights (even if the pay is not very good)“.
The Guardian piece (although focusing on the UK) contains good, practical advice and most of it would be valid in other countries:
“Jet-setting round the globe, setting the worlds highest courts alight with spectacular oratory performances, radically changing the lives of the most vulnerable. Hell, theres probably a Nobel peace prize in there somewhere too right? Think again. There are actually very few lawyers who would describe themselves as international human rights lawyers, Read the rest of this entry »
has some openings for staff, interns and volunteers in an open and transparent manner. All positions are advertised via their website:
Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards 