1. Location: The Fellowship usually takes place at the headquarters of the Executive Secretariat of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) of the Organization of American States (OAS). Address: 1889 F Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006, United States of America. However, the fellow's presence at headquarters will be required only when the travel restrictions implemented in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic are lifted and safe travel can be assured. This also depends on the availability of consular services that may have been disrupted due to the pandemic. Therefore, depending on the possibilities, the fellowship may begin remotely, from the place of residence of the selected person.
  2. Modality: The fellowship usually takes place in person; however, due to limitations in consular services and travel restrictions implemented in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Executive Secretariat (ES) of the IACHR may require the fellow to adopt a remote work modality. Thereafter, depending on travel possibilities, the fellowship will continue at headquarters in Washington D.C.
  3. Application period: July 15 through July 31, 2021 at 23:59 (EST), subject to change.
  4. Fellowship start and end dates: September 1, 2021 to August 15, 2022, subject to change.
  5. Length of Fellowship: 11.5 meses
  6. Objetive: To offer the opportunity to professionals from OAS Member States to learn about and apply the protection mechanisms of the inter-American human rights system in the area of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, gender-diverse and intersex persons. With this experience, the fellow must necessarily commit to return to their country of origin, for a minimum of 2 years, in order to be able to work for the recognition and guarantee of the human rights of LGBTI persons.
  7. Program: The fellow will support the work of the Rapporteurship on the Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex (LGBTI) Persons of the SE/IACHR, under the supervision of its specialists during the period of the fellowship; and, at the conclusion of the fellowship, will submit to the SE/IACHR a detailed report on the activities carried out.

The fellowship is subject to the availability of funding.

  1. Expected Results:
    • Collaboration with the team of the Rapporteurship on the Rights of LGBTI Persons of the ES/IACHR in the elaboration of thematic and country reports.
    • Collaboration with the IACHR Executive Secretariat team in the processing of petitions, cases and requests for precautionary measures related to the rights of LGBTI persons.
    • Preparation of draft reports on petitions and cases related to the human rights of LGBTI persons.
    • Search for information to analyze the situation of the rights of LGBTI persons and preparation of the respective reports.
    • Preparation of summaries and other documents for hearings, working meetings and visits of the ES/IACHR related to the situation of the rights of LGBTI persons.
    • Collaboration in initiatives aimed at promoting and disseminating the Inter-American human rights system and the Rapporteurship on the Rights of LGBTI Persons.
    • Constant updating of the IACHR website regarding the work of the Rapporteurship on the Rights of LGBTI Persons.
    • Monitoring of the situation of the rights of LGBTI persons in the region.
  2. Requirements:
    • Citizenship and residence at the time of application in one of the following OAS Member States: Antigua and Barbuda; Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Costa Rica; Dominica; Dominican Republic; El Salvador; Grenada; Guatemala; Guyana; Haiti; Honduras; Jamaica; Panama; Mexico; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Suriname; Trinidad and Tobago.
    • To have the necessary technological equipment and services to carry out remote work, including a stable Internet connection that allows for video calls.
    • Indispensable: the fellow will be required to commit to return to their country of origin after the end of the fellowship for a minimum of 2 years from the end of the program. Before the end of the fellowship, the fellow must submit a written work containing a proposal to continue their work in the field of human rights of LGBTI persons in their home country. Likewise, by accepting to participate in the program, the Fellow agrees to participate in at least one annual meeting with the Rapporteurship team, the SE IACHR and the donor of the project in order to learn about the results of their work during the post-fellowship period, for up to two years.
    • Fluency in Spanish and English (attach certificate of intermediate-advanced level), knowledge of Portuguese or French is desirable.
    • Law degree from an officially accredited university (send copy of degree and grades obtained);
    • Having received the university diploma in Law within the last seven years.
    • Be admitted to practice law within the jurisdiction of one of the OAS member states (in the absence thereof, please indicate the reason);
    • Demonstrable professional or university experience in the area of human rights; and
    • Essay (maximum 5 pages) not edited by another person, on a topic in the area of human rights of LGBTI persons that interests the applicant. The essay should be written half in English and half in Spanish, using any format; if not possible, please explain (no cover letter or bibliography required).
  3. Required Documents: The following documents are required for consideration of fellowship applications:
    • Letter of interest (cover letter from the interested person);
    • Two letters of recommendation (academic or professional);
    • CV;
    • Certificate accrediting the second language;
    • A copy of law degree and the grades obtained;
    • Proof of admittance to practice Law within the jurisdiction of one of the OAS Member States (if this is not possible, please attach an explanatory note);
    • Written essay of up to five pages not edited by another person, on a topic in the field of human rights of LGBTI persons that is of interest to the applicant. The essay should be written half in English and half in Spanish, using any format; if this is not possible, please explain (no cover page or bibliography required).

Note: All supporting documents required for the fellowship -with the exception of the essay- may be submitted in English, Spanish, French or Portuguese. Only simple copies of the original documents are required. There is no need to translate or legalize them. Letters should be addressed in general to the INTER-AMERICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS.

Subject to the discretion of the ES/IACHR, the finalists will be asked to answer additional questions and meet with the team of the Rapporteurship.

  1. Benefits:
    • IACHR provides a stipend of US$3,200.00 per month for the duration of the fellowship. With this stipend, the fellowship recipient is responsible and required to purchase health coverage of their choice for the duration of the fellowship, and must formally accredit the purchase to the Executive Secretariat of the IACHR;
    • If there is a possibility of travel to Washington, D.C.: Round-trip economy class airfare from the fellow's place of residence to Washington, D.C., USA. No funding is provided for terminal and transit expenses. This is subject to existing travel restrictions and consular services for the duration of the pandemic containment measures.
    • IACHR will award a certificate of participation in the fellowship program to those who successfully complete the full duration of the fellowship.
  2. Responsibilities of the person selected to initiate the fellowship: :
    • The selected fellow must formally accept the fellowship, in writing, indicating to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights that they are fully available to begin the fellowship remotely, with full-time dedication. Depending on future travel possibilities, the fellow will be required to move to the headquarters of the IACHR to complete the fellowship period.
    • In the case that travel to headquarters in Washington, D.C. is possible, the IACHR will purchase a round-trip air ticket -economy class- between the country of origin or residence and the headquarters of the ES/ICHR in Washington, D.C.;
    • If the fellowship has been accepted, but for any justifiable reason cannot be completed, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights must be notified immediately so that it can decide on the appropriate actions and make the necessary arrangements.
    • In the event that travel to Washington DC is possible, it is the responsibility of the selected person to apply for and obtain, in a timely manner, the corresponding visa(s) to enter the United States of America and/or transit countries (if applicable). The ES/IACHR will not cover any costs related to the processing of immigration documents or visas. The IACHR will issue a communication to the selected person certifying their official selection from the ES/IACHR so that they can apply for the corresponding visa, which will be their sole responsibility. Additionally, the OAS will issue a diplomatic communication to the Embassy or Consulate where the selected person will apply for the visa, also certifying their selection;
    • It is the responsibility of the selected person to have the technological means necessary to begin the fellowship remotely on the date established by the IACHR; they must also present report to the headquarters on the date set, according to travel possibilities.
    • If the selected person does not travel on the scheduled dates or changes the route, they must reimburse the cost of the air ticket or any additional costs incurred. This includes any additional expenses that the ES/IACHR incurred, such as, extra cost for lodging during the person's trip from his or her country of residence to Washington, D.C;
    • In case of resignation, cancellation or termination of the fellowship after the program has begun, without presenting sufficient evidence of the cause to the ES/IACHR, the ES/IACHR must be reimbursed for all expenses incurred on the person.

IACHR is fully committed to equal employment opportunities, based on individual merit, without discrimination to any applicant based on ethnic-racial origin, disability, marital status, family status, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, sex characteristics, among others.

To complete the electronic fellowship application form, click here. 

If the system asks for a "Survey ID", please enter the code FASLGBTI2021.

The results from the selection will be informed by e-mail to each applicant before the start date of the fellowship. Any questions can be addressed to: [email protected]

The Organization of American States does not discriminate against any person on the basis of racial or ethnic origin, marital status, religion, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, sexual characteristics, or status as a parent.