United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Indigenous Peoples and Minorities Section, Geneva (Switzerland)
Indigenous Fellowship Programme - 2014 Senior Indigenous Fellow Position
Deadline for application: 17 January 2014

What is the Indigenous Fellowship Programme?

In 2011, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) established an on-the-job training opportunity for indigenous persons who are more highly qualified/experienced. The position of 'Senior Indigenous Fellow' aims at giving selected candidates a better understanding of the international human rights system and mechanisms, especially those dealing with indigenous issues, through direct work experience within the Indigenous Peoples and Minorities Section (IPMS) at OHCHR in Geneva. Along with gaining practical knowledge and work experience, the Senior Indigenous Fellow also develops extensive networks with other UN departments or agencies, Geneva-based human rights NGOs and other key actors dealing with human rights and indigenous issues at the international level. The Fellow is expected to return to his/her home country with an enhanced set of skills and expertise to contribute towards the promotion and protection of human rights of indigenous persons at the national, regional and international levels.

How does it work?
Each year IPMS selects one Senior Indigenous Fellow who directly contributes to the programmes and activities of the Section for approximately four months in summer/autumn. The activities of the Senior Indigenous Fellow include research and analysis, drafting of official reports and speeches, participating in the organization and implementation of training activities and/or workshops and international meetings. Please note that the position also involves tasks that are more of an administrative nature. The selected candidate is entitled to a stipend to cover modest accommodation and other living expenses, as well as a return ticket to Geneva and basic health insurance.

Who can apply?
The candidate must be indigenous. He/she should have:
• A university degree preferably in law, political sciences, international relations or any other disciplines related to human rights.
• Basic understanding of international human rights instruments and mechanisms, including those specifically dealing with the rights of indigenous peoples.
• Minimum of four years of working experience in the field of indigenous peoples’ rights.
• He/she should be fluent in English. Other language skills including Spanish, French or Russian are highly desirable.

Selection process
Interested candidates should submit their applications by fax (+41 22 917 90 08) with a cover letter indicating 'Application to the 2014 Senior Indigenous Fellowship'

or by post to:
Indigenous Peoples and Minorities Section
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
UNOG-OHCHR
CH-1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland

Although we do not encourage you to send your application by email, scanned applications can also be received at the following address: fellowship@ohchr.org.

The application should include the following documents:
• A Curriculum Vitae.
• A letter of motivation (maximum 3 pages), in which the candidate will introduce himself/herself - mentioning the indigenous community he/she belongs to - explain his/her expectations, what he/she hopes to achieve through this fellowship and what he/she expects to do upon return to promote indigenous rights.
• A letter of recommendation from the organization / entity they are affiliated with.
The deadline to receive applications is 17 January 2014. Please note that only short-listed applicants will be contacted and interviewed during the first quarter of 2014. Once the selection is finalized, the name of the candidate selected will be posted on our website.

The complete call for applications can be found here.