Open to candidates who are/or working with minority groups
Fellowship: monthly stipend to cover accommodation and living expenses, insurance and travel costs
The Minorities Fellowship Programme (MFP) was launched by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in 2005. Through the MFP, the OHCHR aims to give persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities an opportunity to gain knowledge on the UN system and mechanisms dealing with international human rights in general and minority rights in particular. The MFP is intended to assist organizations and communities in protecting and promoting the rights of minorities the fellows belong to. The MFP is held annually and until 2014 had two linguistic versions: The English language programme has been running since 2005 and the Arabic language programme has started in 2007.
The Fellows are based at the OHCHR Geneva, Switzerland. The MFP is interactive and consists of briefings on several topics (e.g. the UN system, OHCHR work, human rights mechanisms and instruments), fellows also undertake individual and group assignments.
Eligibility:
For the English language component:
- The candidate must belong to a national, ethnic, linguistic or religious minority group (persons who do not belong to a minority group will not be taken into consideration, even if they have close links with minority communities and/or organizations)
- Formal education should not be a limitation to participation in the Minorities Fellowship Programme, if relevant experience can be demonstrated.
- Candidates should have ability, willingness and possibility to train other persons belonging to minorities upon return to their respective communities/organizations and should agree to do so.
- The candidates must have a good working knowledge of the language in which the programme is imparted (English).
- The candidate should be proposed and his/her candidacy supported by his/her organization and/or community. It is desirable that the sponsoring organization has a firm constituency or membership, is representative, undertakes work on minority issues and is composed of persons belonging to minorities.
For the Senior Minorities Fellowship Position:
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political sciences, international relations or related fields.
- A minimum of four (4) years of work experience in the field of minority rights. Proven research and drafting skills are highly desirable. Experience in building the capacity of NGOs and other civil society actors will be an asset.
- Candidates must be fluent in English. Other language skills including Spanish, French or Arabic are highly desirable.
Fellows are entitled to the following:
- a return ticket (economy class) from the country of residence to Geneva;
- basic health insurance for the duration of the Programme;
- a stipend to cover modest accommodation and other living expenses for the duration of the Programme.
Application
To apply for the English language component you need to use this form and send it to minorityfellowships@ohchr.org indicating “Application to the 2015 Minorities Fellowship Programme” before 6 April 2015.
To apply for the Senior Minorities Fellowship Position you need to use this form and send it to minorityfellowships@ohchr.org indicating “Application to the 2015 Senior Minorities Fellowship Position”
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Minorities/Pages/Fellowship.aspx