Fellowship for the citizens from the CARICOM countries
  1. Modality: Virtual.
  2. Duration of fellowship: 10 months.
  3. Start and End Dates: July 1, 2023, through April 30, 2024, subject to change.
  4. Deadline for applications: May 31, 2023, at 5:30pm Washington, D.C., subject to change.
  5. Objective: To offer an opportunity for young legal professionals from Caribbean OAS Member States to understand and apply the mechanisms of protection of the inter-American system of human rights.
  6. Program: The fellow will support the work of the Monitoring Section 3 of the ES/IACHR, under the supervision of specialists and the Section coordinator during the period of the Fellowship.
  7. Duties:
    • Research of the human rights situation in specific countries and the preparation of the respective reports.
    • Monitoring of the human rights situation in the Caribbean region.
    • Support the preparation of annual, thematic, and country reports, particularly on human rights in the Caribbean.
    • Preparation of memos and other documents for hearings, working meetings and visits of the Commission.
    • Preparation of summaries, briefings and other documents for hearings, working meetings, and visits of the ES/IACHR.
    • Collaboration in initiatives related to the promotion and dissemination of the inter-American system of human rights.
    • Draft letters, press releases or other statements related to the human rights situation in the Caribbean.
    • Other assigned activities related to the purpose of the Fellowship.
  8. Criteria:
    • Be a citizen of any of the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago.
    • Have the necessary devices and technological services to work remotely, including a stable internet connection that allows video calls.
    • Proficiency in English. Advanced/Proficiency in Spanish is a strong advantage. Knowledge of Portuguese or French is considered an advantage.
    • Degree in law from an officially recognized university (attach copy).
    • Law degree issued within the past 7 (seven) years.
    • Professional or educational experience in human rights.
  9. Required Documents: The following documents are required for consideration of applications for this fellowship:
    • Curriculum vitae.
    • Copy of the Law degree issued within the last 7 (seven) years.
    • One letter of recommendation (academic or professional).
    • Language level certificate (if not available, attach an explanatory note). No language certificate is necessary if English is your native language. Please attach a certificate to attest your proficiency in other languages.
    • A cover letter stating your qualifications vis-a-vis the position requirements and indicating why your profile is a good fit.

Note: All documents required for the fellowship can be submitted in English or Spanish. Only simple copies of the original documents are required; they do not need to be translated or legalized.

Letters should be addressed in general to the INTER-AMERICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS.

Subject to the discretion of the IACHR, finalists will be asked to answer additional questions and have an interview with the Executive Secretariat team.

  1. Application Process:
    • Applications must be received no later than May 31, 2023, by 5:30pm in Washington, D.C., exclusively through this link.
    • Applications submitted by other means, incomplete applications and/or received after the deadline will not be considered.
    • Subject to discretion, applicants may be requested to supplement their application forms with additional information.
    • Applicants who meet the requirements will be evaluated in accordance with the provisions of these Terms of Reference, particularly regarding desirable competencies and skills.
    • The IACHR will decide on a short list of applicants, of no more than 10, who shall be invited for an interview by videoconference.
    • After the interviews, the selected person will be notified accordingly.
    • The IACHR is responsible for interpreting the rules established in these Terms of Reference and for making the final decision as to the person selected for the Fellowship.
    • Decisions issued on these Terms of Reference are final.
  2. Benefits:
    • The SE/IACHR provides a stipend of US $3,200.00 per month for the duration of the fellowship. With said stipend, the fellowship recipient is responsible for and required to purchase health coverage of his/her choice for the duration of the fellowship and must formally prove said purchase to the Executive Secretariat of the IACHR.
    • The ES/IACHR will award a certificate of participation in the fellowship program to those who successfully complete the full duration of the fellowship.
    • The fellowship recipient may participate in person in one of the SE/IACHR's promotional activities, depending on the availability of resources.
  3. Responsibilities of the person selected to begin the fellowship:
    • The selected person must formally accept the fellowship in writing to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, confirming his/her/their complete availability to begin the fellowship work remotely, with full dedication. Depending on future possibilities, the person will be required to travel to the IACHR headquarters to complete the fellowship period.
    • In the event that 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 to be taken and make the necessary arrangements.
    • It is the responsibility of the person selected to have the necessary technological means to begin the fellowship remotely on the date established by the IACHR.
    • In case of resignation, cancellation or termination of the fellowship after the program has begun, without presenting sufficient evidence of the cause to the SE/IACHR, the SE/IACHR must be reimbursed in full for all expenses incurred on his/her/their behalf.

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.

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.