Oak Foundation International Human Rights Programme Fellowship

The European Human Rights Advocacy Centre (EHRAC) is inviting applications from graduates and post-graduates for a six-month paid human rights fellowship with the Oak Foundation. It may be possible to extend the fellowship beyond six months, subject to review. The fellowship programme is administered by EHRAC, which has benefitted from the support of the Oak Foundation for over ten years.

The Oak Foundation was established in 1983 to address issues of global, social and environmental concerns, particularly those that have a major impact on the lives of the disadvantaged. The Oak Foundation comprises a group of philanthropic organisations based in various countries. It has made over 3,000 grants to not-for-profit organisations across the globe.

On this page:

Placement Description

The fellowship will be based within the International Human Rights Programme (IHRP) team in the Oak Foundation offices in central London. Working closely with the Programme Director and Officers, the successful candidate will be required to carry out both substantive and administrative tasks relating to five core programme priorities:

  1. To close the impunity gap for gross violations of human rights by investigating and documenting gross abuses, holding abusers to account and seeking victim redress.
  2. To uphold fundamental guarantees in international law which prohibit arbitrary detention and torture and ensure the observance of due process guarantees.
  3. To ensure that LGBTI communities are free from discriminatory prosecution, persecution and violence.
  4. To protect human rights defenders at risk, strengthen their capacity, combat closing civic space and build a strong and resilient human rights movement;
  5. To build greater public and donor support for human rights.

Typical tasks will include: assisting in drafting recommendations in relation to grant applications; assisting in monitoring and evaluating grant-holders across the Oak portfolio; recording meetings minutes; conducting routine correspondence with grantees and applicants; helping prepare presentations and other communications materials and administrative office tasks, such as scheduling appointments and assisting with filing.

Fellow Profile

This is an excellent opportunity to learn about international human rights in practice from within a global organisation. We are seeking exceptional and enthusiastic candidates who are willing to commit to a six-month placement, with the possibility of an extension to be discussed during the placement itself.

  • You will be a recent graduate or postgraduate with a sound grounding in the field of human rights, international development, or a related field as a result of your studies or practical experience;
  • You will have strong analytical and critical thinking skills and will write clearly and concisely
  • You will display intellectual curiosity, and will be a fast learner with demonstrated initiative;
  • You will be able to demonstrate your commitment to a career in human rights or international relations;
  • You will have excellent oral and written communication skills in English, and strong administrative, organisational and time management skills;
  • You will be able to use your initiative to prioritise competing workloads and work independently;
  • You will be competent in use of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint);
  • You will already have the right to undertake a paid fellowship in the UK.

The successful candidate will work at the Oak Foundation’s central London office for 4-5 days per week, negotiated according to need. It will be a six-month placement, with a possible extension, subject to review.

A stipend of £90 per day worked in the office is available to cover travel expenses and living allowance.

How to apply

Please fill out the online application form here.

Note that the application MUST be filled out in one sitting, i.e. it is not possible to save the application and return to it at another time. We therefore recommend that you prepare your answers in advance before inputting them into the form. You can do so using this document.

Key dates

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 21 November 2018. Applications received after this date cannot be considered. Long-listed candidates will be invited to a 1 day assessment in early December at EHRAC’s offices in Hendon, London, and to attend an interview at the Oak Foundation offices in central London soon after.

We anticipate that the successful candidate will begin their fellowship in early January.

Other important information

Please be aware that we cannot provide visa support for applicants. You must therefore already have the right to live and undertake a paid placement in the UK for the duration of the fellowship. If you are invited to the one-day assessment, you will be asked to provide proof of your eligibility to undertake a paid placement in the UK (scan of passport/visa/other documentation).

In order to receive your stipend, you must also be registered for self-assessmentin the UK and have a unique taxpayer reference number. This is a simple online process that should only take a few days to be set up.

If you have any questions about the Fellowship or about the application process, please send an email to ehrac@mdx.ac.ukPlease do not send CVs or cover letters to this address. Any applications sent to this email address will be ignored.

Check Also

IOE-ISH Centenary Master’s Scholarship Application 2024-25

The IOE-ISH Centenary Master’s Scholarships aim to enable students from low and lower-middle income countries …

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *