Front Line Defenders, Dublin and Geneva
Frank Jennings Internship
Deadline for application: 1 May 2016

Front Line Defenders was founded in Dublin in 2001 with the specific aim of protecting human rights defenders at risk, people who work, non-violently, for any or all of the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Front Line Defenders addresses the protection needs identified by HRDs themselves.

The Frank Jennings Internship 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 Intern spends 3 months at Front Line Defenders (Dublin) 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 (Dublin) 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 cannot 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.

Remuneration
€1100 per month Dublin and €1400 per month Geneva.

How to apply
The next Frank Jennings Internship will start in October 2016. Applications comprising a cover letter and CV should be sent to Andrea Rocca, Head of Protection, at recruit@frontlinedefenders.org by 1 May 2016.

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.

Front Line Defenders is an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
Announcement on the Front Line Defenders website.