OAS » Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) » Fellowships » Caribbean 2016

IACHR

Fellowship for Lawyers or Political Scientists from English-French-speaking countries of the Caribbean

1) Venue of Fellowship: Executive Secretariat of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (ES/IACHR) of the Organization of American States (OAS). Address: 1889 F Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20006, United States of America.

2) Modality: On-site

3) Deadline to present applications: October 13, 2016 (11:59PM E.S.T.)

4) Start and End Dates: December 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017

5) Length of the Fellowship: 10 months

6) Objective: To provide an opportunity for young lawyers, political scientists or professionals from other related field from OAS English or French speaking Caribbean Member States to learn and apply the regional monitoring mechanisms of the inter-American human rights system. The specific aim will be to support the monitoring activities regarding the human rights situation in the Caribbean. The fellow will support the Area of Regional Monitoring and the Office of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression (OSR), in the update of contacts, news, laws, challenges and advances of human rights in the region. In addition, the fellow will provide background information for petitions, precautionary measures and support in the organization and preparation of visits to the Caribbean countries and in the conduction of seminars on IACHR standards and access to the Inter-American system.  

7) Program: The fellow will provide support to the work of the Area of Regional Monitoring of the Executive Secretariat of the IACHR and the OSR, under the supervision of its human rights specialists and, at the end of the fellowship, will present to the Executive Secretariat of the ES/IACHR a detailed report on activities carried out.

8) Expected results:

• Collaboration with the Executive Secretariat of the IACHR in monitoring the situation of the human rights and freedom of expression of the Caribbean countries.
• Preparation of at least three draft reports and/or memorandums on Caribbean countries.
• Research and analysis of the human rights situation with a gender perspective in specific countries and the preparation of reports.
• Collaboration on thematic studies in the field of prevention, protection and fight against impunity in crimes against journalists, among other groups.
• Preparation of summaries and other documents for hearings, working meetings, and visits of the ES/IACHR.
• Collaboration on initiatives related to the promotion and dissemination of the inter-American human rights system.
• Providing support in the documentation of activities and other related information to be included in Annual Report.
• Create a database with contacts of non- governmental organizations in the Caribbean.
• Participation, as needed, in visits and training activities in the Caribbean.

9) Requirements:

• Be a citizen of an OAS English or French speaking Caribbean Member State.
• Knowledge of Caribbean systems in human rights, political science or another related field.
• Advanced knowledge of English (for Haitian citizens).
• Knowledge of Spanish desirable.
• Make a commitment to return to the country of origin (the Caribbean) upon completion of the fellowship.
• Have graduated in law, political science or another related field from an officially recognized university (attach copy of degree) within the past 7 years; master’s degree is desirable.
• Have demonstrable professional interest in human rights. Prior experience in researching and organization of promotional activities in the Caribbean is desirable.

10) Required documents: The following documents are required in order to be considered for the fellowship:

• Letter of interest (cover letter from the interested person).
• Two letters of recommendation (academic or professional).
• Curriculum vitae.
• Certification of second language from any qualified institution
• Copy of degree/s in law, political science or another related field and copy of the grades obtained.
• Written essay of up to five pages, not edited by another person, on any human rights issue of interest to the candidate. The essay shall be presented in English; using any format (no cover letter and/or bibliography are required).

Please note: Only simple copies of the original documents required. There is no need to notarize or legalize them. The letters should be addressed to the INTER-AMERICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS.

Subject to the discretion of the Commission, the shortlisted candidates might be requested to respond to additional questions.

11) Benefits:

• The ES/IACHR provides a monthly stipend of US$3,200.00 during the period of the fellowship. With the stipend provided, the fellow is responsible and required to obtain health insurance coverage of his/her choosing for the duration of the fellowship, and shall provide proof of coverage to the Executive Secretariat of the ES/IACHR prior to initiating the fellowship.
• Round-trip economy class air transportation from the participant’s country of residence to Washington, D.C. Terminal and transfer expenses are not covered.
• The ES/IACHR will award a certificate of participation in the Fellowship Program to the fellows who satisfactorily complete the entire period of the fellowship.
• International airfare (traveling to the Caribbean for Regional Monitoring).

12) Responsibilities of the selected candidates:

• Once an applicant has been selected, he/she should formally accept the fellowship in writing, confirming with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights his/her availability to complete the fellowship during the specified time period. Once accepted, the ES/IACHR will proceed with the necessary arrangements for purchase of round-trip economy air transportation between the candidate’s country of origin/residence and Washington, D.C.
• In the event a candidate accepts a fellowship but cannot complete it, for whatever reason, he/she must immediately inform the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights so that the appropriate course of action may be decided.
• It is the responsibility of each selected candidate to request and obtain the necessary visa to enter the United States, and/or transit visa (if applicable) in a timely manner. The ES/IACHR will not incur in any expense related to the processing of immigration or visa documents. The IACHR will provide the candidate a document certifying his/her selection as an official fellow of the IACHR so that he/she may request the corresponding visa, which is the sole responsibility of the selected candidate. In addition, the OAS will send a diplomatic note to the Embassy or Consulate where the selected candidate will be requesting his/her visa, certifying the fellow’s selection.
• It is the responsibility of the selected candidate to arrive in a timely manner so that he/she will be present for the commencement of the fellowship on the date established by the ES/IACHR.
• If the selected candidate declines the fellowship after the flight ticket has been purchased, or does not travel on the established dates or changes routes, the candidate shall reimburse the ES/IACHR the cost of the flight ticket or any additional costs incurred. The latter includes any additional costs, if any, incurred by the ES/IACHR, such as extra costs for accommodation during the candidate’s travel to and from Washington, D.C.
• If the candidate resigns, cancels or terminates the fellowship after the program has begun without providing sufficient reason and evidence to the ES/IACHR for doing so, he/she will fully reimburse the ES/IACHR for all costs incurred on his/her behalf.

13) Presentation of candidates:

• The electronic application can be accessed through the link below. Prior to accessing the electronic application, applicants should have all the documents indicated in sections 9 and 10 above ready for upload.
• Documents can be uploaded in the following formats: .pdf, .doc, .docx and .zip. The files to be uploaded should first be saved in the following manner prior to uploading, and should not include any special characters in the name: First name, last name, name of required document. (Example: JohnSmithResume.doc)

The Organization of American States does not discriminate against any individual, employee, or application for employment on the basis of race, color, marital status, religion, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or status as a parent.

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