Legal Research & Advocacy Post Graduate Fellowship (Remote)

Overview

An international human rights organization is seeking a full-time post-graduate fellow for its London office. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to human rights work focused on eradicating contemporary forms of human slavery and trafficking, as well as international advocacy with the UN and Commonwealth mechanisms. Additional program areas include access to justice, access to information, and freedom of expression and media freedom. The fellow will be part of a small, remote team conducting research, supporting advocacy, and engaging in awareness-raising and campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research supporting work on contemporary forms of slavery, human trafficking, freedom of expression, and climate change.
• Gather and analyze data to draft evidence-based human rights reports, policies, and statements.
• Contribute to advocacy efforts at the UN Human Rights Council, Treaty Bodies, Universal Periodic Review, and Commonwealth mechanisms, including preparations for CHOGM 2026.
• Prepare submissions, reports, statements, and articles; monitor developments to identify engagement opportunities.
• Support capacity building by strengthening a network of over 100 local civil society organizations through technical advice, research, and designing/delivering trainings and webinars.
• Collaborate with team members to plan and deliver research projects and advocacy initiatives.
• Coordinate partnerships and provide guidance to interns to ensure timely project delivery.
• Assist with administrative and communications tasks, including producing a weekly human rights newsletter, drafting blogs, supporting advocacy and communications efforts, creating social media and website content, and other program-related duties.

Requirements

• Post-graduate legal qualifications relevant to the fellowship.
• Substantial expertise and professional experience in human rights law.
• Working knowledge of UN human rights mechanisms.
• Commitment to human rights, social justice, and public service.
• Demonstrated legal drafting and analytical skills, particularly in international human rights law.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Strong personal responsibility and ability to manage workload independently.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and deliver high-quality work under pressure.
• Interest and experience in contemporary forms of slavery, human trafficking, freedom of expression, and media freedom, including regulatory frameworks and rights at risk.
• Initiative and creativity in responding to emerging human rights issues.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in international, cross-cultural teams.
• Experience collaborating with legal professionals, inter-governmental organizations, or human rights NGOs.

Compensation & Benefits

• This is a fellowship position offering valuable work experience in human rights within an established international NGO.
• Fellows will gain insight into NGO operations including program design, project management, capacity building, and communications.
• The role is fully remote with team members across different geographies and time zones.
• Applicants must secure their own funding or sponsorship for the fellowship period; the organization does not provide direct funding.

Location

• This position is based in London but operates remotely.

Application Process

• Applicants should submit a CV, a personal statement (max 500 words) explaining their interest, what they can contribute, and their fellowship goals, along with two recent writing or research samples.
• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
• The organization encourages applications from LGBTQ+ individuals and minority groups.

Additional Information

• Applicants should indicate the funding sources or sponsorships for which they are eligible.
• The fellowship requires a full-time commitment for the entire fellowship period.