Human Rights Watch (HRW) Global Fellowship for Young Leaders 2018

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) Alan R. and Barbara D. Finberg Fellowship is a one-year fellowship open to recent graduates, from any institution, domestic or foreign.

Application Deadline: 6th October 2017

Eligible Countries: All

To Be Taken At (Country): USA

About the Award: Established in memory of Alan R. and Barbara D. Finberg, early supporters of Human Rights Watch (“HRW”), this fellowship is open to recent graduates (at the Master’s level) in the fields of law, journalism, international relations, area studies, or other relevant disciplines from universities worldwide. Graduates with LL.B. degrees or advanced degrees in other relevant disciplines may also be considered.

Type: Fellowship

Eligibility: Recent graduates (at the Master’s level) in the fields of law, journalism, international relations, area studies, or other relevant disciplines from universities worldwide. LL.Ms are also eligible. Graduates with LL.B. degrees or advanced degrees in other relevant disciplines may also be considered. For this cycle, we will consider Finberg Fellowship applicants with degrees received after January 2015 and before August 2018 as “recent graduates.”

Experience: Prior research experience, including experience conducting interviews, ideally in the context of human rights research, is required.

Related Skills and Knowledge

1. Demonstrated strong background in international human rights and commitment to building a career in human rights are required.
2. Excellent oral and written communications skills in English are required.
3. Proficiency in one language in addition to English is strongly desired as is familiarity with countries or regions where serious human rights violations occur.
4. Self-motivation, ability to multi-task effectively, including having good planning and organizing skills and ability to work under pressure are required.
5. Strong initiative and follow-through, exceptional analytical skills, the capacity to think creatively and strategically, excellent editing skills, perseverance and flexibility while maintaining HRW’s high methodological standards are required.
6. Strong interpersonal skills in order to work collaboratively within HRW, as well as with external partners, are required.
7. Ability to make sound decisions consistent with functions is required.

Selection Criteria:  The strongest applicants for the Human Rights Watch fellowships have direct experience interviewing victims of human rights abuses. All applicants must be able to demonstrate some kind of interviewing experience. Interviewing experience may take different forms, including: interviewing victims of human rights abuses for human rights reporting; interviewing for news articles; interviewing clients through legal aid clinics or similar settings; conducting interviews as part of refugee status determination; conducting interview-based academic research or other research, etc.

Number of Awards: Not specified

Value of Award: 

• The salary for 2018-2019 fellows is US $60,000, plus excellent employer-paid benefits.
• HRW will pay reasonable relocation expenses and will assist employees in obtaining necessary work authorization, if required;
• In the event that you are offered an interview, Human Rights Watch will make the necessary arrangements and cover reasonable travel costs.

Duration of Program: I year

How to Apply: Apply here

It is important to go through the application requirements and FAQ before applying.

Visit the Program Webpage for Details

Award Providers:  Human Rights Watch

Important Notes: Please note that shortlisted candidates may be contacted at a later stage to submit the following: two letters of recommendation and an official law or graduate school transcript.