Fellowships in International Human Rights

For recent graduates of law schools or graduate programs in journalism, international relations, area studies, or other relevant disciplines from universities worldwide.

Unrestricted Fellowships

Alan R. and Barbara D. Finberg Fellowship - 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, or other relevant studies. Graduates with LL.B. degrees or advanced degrees in other relevant disciplines may also be considered.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

• Fellows typically work full-time in Human Rights Watch’s New York or Washington, D.C. office or in some instances in another location. The NYU, Sandler, and Finberg Fellows work full-time for one year with Human Rights Watch.
• Fellows monitor human rights developments in various countries, conduct on-site investigations, draft reports on human rights conditions, and engage in advocacy and media outreach aimed at publicizing and curtailing human rights violations.
• Past fellows have conducted research and advocacy on numerous different issues in countries all over the world. Recent examples include projects on: police corruption and access to justice in Liberia; accessibility for people with disabilities in Russia; youth in solitary confinement in US prisons; hazardous child labor in artisanal gold mining in Tanzania; police abuse of gay men in Kyrgyzstan.
• QUALIFICATIONS:
• • Applicants must demonstrate a strong background in international human rights and be committed to building a career in human rights. Research experience, including experience conducting interviews, ideally in the context of human rights research, is required. Field experience in human rights work is strongly desirable. Applicants must have exceptional analytic skills and excellent oral and written communications skills in English. Proficiency in one language in addition to English is strongly desired as is familiarity with countries or regions where serious human rights violations occur.
  • Applicants should be highly motivated and well-organized; able to work quickly and well under pressure, both independently and as a member of a team; able to juggle multiple tasks; and able to meet tight deadlines. The fellowship year will require creativity, initiative, perseverance, and flexibility while maintaining HRW's high methodological standards.
  • Depending on the fellowship for which they wish to apply, prospective fellows must be recent graduates of law, journalism, international relations, or other relevant studies, or must provide evidence of significant, comparable, relevant work experience. (Please see our Frequently Asked Questions section for the specific requirements of the various fellowships.)
  Fellowships begin in September 2014.
  
  
  SALARY AND BENEFITS:
  The salary for 2013-2014 fellows is US$55,000, plus excellent employer-paid benefits. The salary for 2014-2015 is currently under review and may be increased.
  
  
  APPLICATION DEADLINE:
  OCTOBER 16, 2013
  Applicants are responsible for compiling complete application packets which must include the following:

  • cover letter
  • resume
  • two letters of recommendation
  • an unedited, unpublished writing sample (no legal briefs, please)
  • an official law or graduate school transcript (applicants in one-year graduate programs should supply an undergraduate transcript with a list of their graduate school courses)

  Complete applications (including transcripts and recommendations) for 2014-2015 fellowships must be received no later than October 16, 2013. Applications should be sent by e-mail, under single cover (in one email) and preferably as one PDF file (or, at a minimum, as separate PDF files), to fellowship@hrw.org with the name of the fellowship in the subject line.

  
  

  Applicants must be available for interviews in New York from late November to mid-December 2013.  Inquiries may be directed to fellowship@hrw.org. Please see http://www.hrw.org/about/fellowships for more information.

  
  

  Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices and, in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seeks a diverse applicant pool.

  
  

  Human Rights Watch is an international human rights monitoring and advocacy organization known for its in-depth investigations, its incisive and timely reporting, its innovative and high-profile advocacy campaigns, and its success in changing the human rights-related policies and practices of influential governments and international institutions.

  Application Checklist

  http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/07/12/fellowship-application-checklist

  
  

  Please include all of the following, by e-mail and as PDF files, under single cover(in one email) and preferably as one PDF file (or, at a minimum, as separate PDF files).  Because of the volume of applications received, it is not possible for us to process incomplete or late applications.

   

  Your application has six parts: your cover letter, resume, writing sample, official transcript, and two letters of recommendation.  We require that all materials be sent together by October 16, 2013.

   

  Please make sure your name appears on every page of your application, especially the first page of your cover letter.

  
  

  • cover letter – A cover letter includes a brief description of how you are suited to the fellowship and why you feel you are an appropriate candidate.
  • résumé (curriculum vitae) – A résumé or curriculum vitae should include your contact information, previous work experience, education, and special skills you have that pertain to the position.
  • two letters of recommendation – A letter of recommendation is a letter written by someone who knows you in a professional or academic capacity testifying to your suitability for a fellowship position.  Letters should be sent to you and then included in your application.  Please note that we require two letters of recommendation.
  • unedited, unpublished writing sample – The writing sample can be any document, provided it has been edited only by you.  (Thus, you should not submit final, published versions of materials that have been edited by others.)  Writing samples should not be longer than 10 pages. Excerpts are perfectly acceptable. The writing sample must be in English. If the sample was translated into English, translation must have been done by the author. The writing sample may treat any subject, but should reflect your interest in experience in the field of human rights, as well as your writing abilities.
  • official law or graduate school transcript (applicants in one-year graduate programs should supply an undergraduate transcript with a list of their graduate school courses) – Official transcripts are stamped or signed documents from your university telling us what grades/marks and degrees you earned.  These documents should be scanned and attached to your e-mail application.  Please do not include copies of diplomas or degree certificates, as these do not tell us what grades or marks you received in your classes.  Please note that if transcripts of your graduate work are not yet available, you must include an official transcript of your undergraduate work and an official letter from your graduate program confirming your enrollment.