The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Fellowship Program is a prestigious initiative aimed at promoting human rights education, capacity-building, and professional development for individuals working in the field of human rights. Administered by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the fellowship program offers opportunities for early-career professionals, academics, civil society representatives, and government officials to gain practical experience and expertise in human rights advocacy, research, and policy development.
The UN Human Rights Council Fellowship Program provides fellows with the opportunity to work closely with OHCHR and other relevant UN agencies, as well as civil society organizations and national human rights institutions, to contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights at the national, regional, and international levels. Fellows are typically assigned to specific projects or thematic areas within OHCHR’s mandate, where they work under the guidance of experienced human rights experts and practitioners.
The duration of the fellowship varies depending on the specific program and fellowship assignment, but typically ranges from a few months to a year. During their fellowship, participants engage in a range of activities, including research, advocacy, capacity-building, training, and public outreach, aimed at advancing human rights principles and standards and addressing human rights challenges in their respective contexts.
Fellows may also have the opportunity to participate in UN Human Rights Council sessions, expert meetings, and other relevant forums, where they can observe and contribute to the international human rights dialogue and decision-making process. Additionally, fellows may be involved in drafting reports, preparing briefings, and assisting with the implementation of human rights projects and initiatives in collaboration with OHCHR and its partners.
The UN Human Rights Council Fellowship Program is open to individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, including government officials, lawyers, journalists, educators, researchers, and civil society activists, among others. Applicants are selected based on their academic qualifications, professional experience, leadership potential, and commitment to human rights principles and values.
The UN Human Rights Council Fellowship Program offers a valuable opportunity for individuals passionate about human rights to gain practical experience, build networks, and contribute to the advancement of human rights around the world. By investing in the capacity-building and professional development of human rights practitioners, the fellowship program supports the realization of OHCHR’s mandate to promote and protect human rights for all.
The Fellowship programme for people of African descent is an intensive human rights training for people of African descent, from the diaspora, who are engaged in promoting the rights of people of African descent.
It takes place once a year at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva.
The Fellowship programme provides the participants with the opportunity to:
- Learn about and deepen their understanding of the international human rights law and the UN human rights system, the international framework to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and intersecting issues with a focus on people of African descent;
- Strengthen skills in developing project proposals, delivering presentations and submitting information to human rights mechanisms;
- Gain first-hand exposure to human rights mechanisms;
- Meet with a wide-range of actors.
Purpose of the UN Human Rights Commission Fellowship Programme
The aim is to strengthen participants’ skills to contribute to the promotion and protection of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of people of African descent in their respective countries. The participants are equipped with the tools necessary to enhance the development of legislation, policies and programmes; to strengthen collaboration of civil society with governments; and to undertake local awareness-raising activities.
Requirements
The candidate must be an individual of African descent living in the Diaspora.
- The candidate must have a minimum of 4 years of work experience related to the rights of People of African Descent.
- The candidate has to submit a letter from an organization working on issues related to people of African Descent or minority rights certifying their status.
- The candidates must be available to attend the full duration of the programme. The selected fellows will be expected to participate in different activities and to strictly follow the programme.
Fellowship Date:
- The Fellowship will be held from 11 November to 29 November 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland.
In addition, fellows are expected to dedicate a few hours to pre-online courses and preparatory assignments in the preceding two weeks.
Benefits
- Each fellow is entitled to a return ticket (economy class) from the country of residence to Geneva; basic health insurance; and a stipend to cover modest accommodation and other living expenses for the duration of the Programme.
Method of Application
Applications can be submitted in English, French and Spanish.
Applicants are requested to submit the following documents in one single e-mail to ohchr-africandescentfellowship@un.org:
- A Curriculum Vitae
- A completed, signed and scanned Application Form in one single document.
- A Personal Statement (maximum 500 words) in which the candidate will explain his/her motivation for applying, and how he/she will use the knowledge gained from the fellowship to promote the interests and rights of people of African descent.
- An Official Letter from the nominating organization or community certifying the status
- A copy of the applicant’s passport.
- Please note that submissions with more than five attachments will not be accepted.
Important: Please mention in the subject header of your e-mail: “Application for the 2024 Fellowship Programme for People of African Descent.”Name the attached document as follows:
LAST NAME First name – Type of documentExample: SMITH Jacqueline – Application form.docSMITH Jacqueline – A Personal Statement.docSMITH Jacqueline – Letter certifying Status.pdfSMITH Jacqueline – Passport.pdf
Application Deadline: 31 May 2024.
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