Frank Jennings Internship 2012 (Dublin and Geneva) - DEADLINE for applications 31 January 2012

Frank Jennings Internship 2012 (Dublin and Geneva)

Deadline for applications 31 January 2012

The Frank Jennings Internship has been set up to give an opportunity for dedicated and talented individuals to gain experience working for the protection of human rights defenders in an international NGO and at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. It is named after Front Line's former Head of Research who died after a long illness in 2005. Frank made a huge contribution to the development of human rights activism in Ireland and candidates who have some experience of human rights work in Ireland will be given priority.

Two interns are selected each year starting one in April and one in October. Each intern spends 3 months in Front Line where he/she will be trained in relation to Human Rights Defenders; the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders; the Mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur; the procedures and methodology of the mandate; the role of Front Line and other national and international organisations in the support and protection of Human Rights Defenders. The intern will then move to Geneva for a period 6 months before returning to Front Line for a further 3 months.

The intern will be able to draft well and have good analytical skills. He/she will have some knowledge of the UN system and international and human rights law. He/she must be able to work in both English and Spanish (please note we can’t make exceptions to the language requirements). He/she will be able to work on own initiative and as a member of a team. He/she will have good oral and written communication skills and be computer literate. He/she will be flexible and co-operative. Previous work experience with organisations working in the field of Human Rights would be desirable.

Basic Terms of reference – Front Line Dublin
- Answer telephone, take messages and deal with routine queries and correspondence;
- Draft as requested, minutes, speeches, briefings, reports, appeals;
- Proof reports and organise typesetting and printing;
- To work on specific projects relating to Human Rights Defenders as requested;
- Undertake clerical tasks such as faxing, photocopying, word processing, sending press releases, data entry, collating, emailing, dealing with Western Union payments;
- Assist with travel arrangements and the organisation of international meetings;

Basic Terms of Reference – Geneva SRSG
- Gather information on the situation of human rights defenders around the world (with a particular focus on themes of concern identified by the SRSG);
- In coordination with other thematic mechanisms and with geographic desk officers, and under the supervision of the HRD assistant to the SRSG, draft urgent appeals and communications to Governments concerning human rights violations against human rights defenders;
- Support follow-up of cases;
- Analyse replies received from Governments and prepare summaries for inclusion in the annual CHR report;
- Assist in the drafting of annual reports to the Commission on Human Rights and the General Assembly;
- Assist in the preparation of background materials for official missions by the Special Representative;
- Assist in liasing with non-governmental organizations for the smooth implementation of the mandate, as needed.

Honorarium: €1050 per month Dublin and €1350 per month Geneva

For further information and applications please visit Frank Jennings Internship website here