Job ID: 311786

Frank Jennings Fellowship 2026-2027

Front Line Defenders

Location: Dublin, Ireland

Apply by: 27 Aug 2026

Relevant Sectors

Capacity Building, Training, Advocacy

Fundraising, Business Development, Grants Writer

Human Rights, Law, Migration, Conflicts, Justice

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. Candidates who have some experience of human rights work or study in Ireland will be given priority. The Frank Jennings Fellow will spend three and a half 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; and the role of Front Line Defenders and other organisations in the support and protection of Human Rights Defenders. The Fellow will then enter an internship programme at the OHCHR and move to Geneva for 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, plus excellent administrative skills and some knowledge of the UN system and international and human rights law. They must have native or native-level English and fluency in Spanish or French (preference for Spanish; no exceptions to language requirements). Duties in Dublin include supporting Protection Coordinators, drafting urgent appeals on behalf of human rights defenders at risk, inputting HRD-related information on the database, and drafting minutes, briefings, reports and appeals. Duties in Geneva (under the Special Rapporteur) include gathering information on the situation of human rights defenders, drafting urgent appeals and communications to Governments, analysing replies, and assisting in the drafting of annual reports to the HRC and General Assembly. To comply with OHCHR internship regulations, applicants must be currently enrolled in university or have graduated no more than one year prior to beginning the OHCHR internship. Front Line Defenders is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Application link: https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/frank-jennings-fellowship