The Frank Jennings Internship has been 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 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.
Two interns are selected each year starting with one in April and one in October. Each intern spends 3 months at Front Line Defenders where he/she 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 intern will then move to Geneva for a period 6 months before returning to Front Line Defenders for a further 3 months.
The intern will be able to draft well and have good analytical skills. He/she will have some knowledge of the UN system and international and human rights law. He/she must be able to work in both English and Spanish (please note we can’t make exceptions to the language requirements). He/she will be able to work on own initiative and as a member of a team. He/she will have good oral and written communication skills and be computer literate. He/she 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;
· Draft 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 HRC report;
· Assist in the drafting of annual reports to the Human Rights Council (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: €1100 per month Dublin and €1400 per month Geneva
The next recruitment for this internship will take place in 2013. For internships beginning in April and October 2013, applications comprising a cover letter and CV should be sent to Andrew Anderson, Deputy Director by 31 January 2013. Applications can be sent by email to recruit@frontlinedefenders.org or by post to the address below:
Front Line Defenders
Second Floor
Grattan House
Temple Rd
Blackrock
Co. Dublin
Ireland
Please put the name of the position you are applying for in the subject bar of your email.
In providing protection and support to human rights defenders, Front Line Defenders and its staff are committed to:
- focus on the primacy and centrality of defenders;
- demonstrate profound respect and empathy for defenders;
- meet the needs expressed by the defenders in a fast, flexible and relentless manner;
- achieve tangible impact;
- act with independence, impartiality and integrity;
- perform with dedication, professionalism and accountability;
- show transparency and openness;
- develop participative and cooperative relations.