UN Human Rights LDCs/SIDS Trust Fund FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMME 2023 for Young Leaders

The call for applications for the LDCs/SIDS Trust Fund Fellowship Programme 2023 is now open. Apply below.

When is Application Deadline: 15th June 2023

Tell Me About Award: The Fellowship programme runs once a year, from September to November. The dates of the Fellowship Programme enable the fellow to attend a regular HRC session in September, a session of the UPR Working Group in November, and relevant meetings of other human rights mechanisms.

Type: Fellowship

Who can Apply? As a rule, only a government official/civil servant from a LDCs/SIDS who is based in his/her home country is eligible to apply. At the time of application, eligible candidates must fulfil the following requirements:

• An advanced university degree in law, political science, international relations or a related discipline. Significant relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree;
• A minimum of two years of working experience in the government of his/her home country in the field of human rights. Experience in intergovernmental processes is an advantage;
• Fluency in English or French. The attention of candidates is drawn to the fact that, while interpretation into the six UN official languages is provided during formal meetings of the Human Rights Council, informal meetings, including informal consultations on draft resolutions, are conducted without interpretation and normally in English only. Good working knowledge of English is therefore required.

Which Countries are Eligible? Least Developing Countries & Small Islands

How Many Awards? Not specified

What is the Benefit of Award? Based on applicable United Nations rules and regulations, the Trust Fund covers the cost of a round-trip ticket in economy class.

The Trust Fund also provides financial support to the selected fellows in the form of a monthly stipend based on the current rate of UN DESA on UN Fellowships, for the duration of the fellowship programme. Fellows are not remunerated; the monthly stipend is intended to cover their basic living expenses (including accommodation) during the fellowship.

How Long will Award Last? From September to November. The dates of the Fellowship Programme enable the fellow to attend a regular HRC session in September, a session of the UPR Working Group in November, and relevant meetings of other human rights mechanisms.

How to Apply: Applications from interested and qualified candidates must be submitted by their permanent mission to the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG). For LDCs/SIDS without a permanent mission accredited to UNOG, applications must be submitted either by their permanent mission in New York or directly by the capital.

Applications must comprise the following eight (8) mandatory documents:

• Application form (duly filled in and signed by the applicant);
• An official note verbale endorsing the candidature of a government official (sample note verbale);
• The certificate of completion of thee-learning course tool on the Human Rights Council for LDCs/SIDS delegates;
• A legible scanned copy of the passport of the designated candidate (the passport must be valid for at least six months after his/her return to the home country or official duty station);
• A detailed curriculum vitae (CV) in English or French, in MS Word format;
• A motivation letter (two pages maximum), explaining candidate’s interest in the fellowship programme, including how the candidate and his/her government would benefit from the programme and how the experience and knowledge gained by the fellow would be used in the context of his/her functions towards enhancing the country’s engagement with the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms;
• A completed “Visa information form” indicating whether the candidate needs a Schengen visa; and
• A photograph of the candidate in jpeg format.

Candidates must also commit to sharing the knowledge and experience gained during the programme with their colleagues in the government.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Only applications containing the eight mandatory documents (see above) and submitted by the deadline of 16 June 2023 will be accepted. Applications should be sent in one single email to ohchr-sidsldc@un.org and ohchr-registry@un.org, indicating in the subject line of the email: LDCs/SIDS Fellowship Programme 2023 – name of country, name of fellow.

THE ATTENTION OF APPLICANTS IS DRAWN TO THE FACT THAT THE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMME MAY BE ADJUSTED OR CANCELLED DUE TO FINANCIAL, OPERATIONAL OR OTHER REASONS AND CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE SECRETARIAT OF THE LDCS/SIDS TRUST FUND.

Visit Award Webpage for Details