Call for application Fellowship Programme of the United Nations Voluntary Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery

The aim of the Fellowship programme, organized by the United Nations Voluntary Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery, is to give 4 staff members and affiliated members of human rights organisations notably those working on contemporary forms of slavery related issues, the opportunity to gain first hand experience, knowledge and skills in the field of international human rights in general, and on contemporary forms of slavery in particular. 

The Programme is designed for individuals supported by their organizations who are committed to the understanding and promotion of international human rights and the process of development and implementation of international human rights standards in particular in the field of contemporary forms of slavery.

Through this experience Fellows will gain knowledge and working level experience with the United Nations human rights system (including the Treaty bodies, the Human Rights Council, the Universal Periodic Review and Special Procedures) and with OHCHR’s work on Contemporary Forms of Slavery. It will also allow the Fellows to develop an extensive contact network with OHCHR staff, staff of other UN departments and Agencies as well as NGOs and other organisations funded by the UN Voluntary Trust on Contemporary Forms of Slavery. 

It is expected that Fellows will return to his/her organisation and thereby strengthen the organization’s capacity in international human rights.
The Fellows will be studying and working in the Indigenous Peoples and Minorities Section under the guidance and supervision of the Voluntary Fund coordinator, for a period of 5 months. The Fellows will contribute to the work of the UN Voluntary Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery through:

The Fellows will receive periodic briefings and training on the human rights system and relevant thematic issues in accordance with modules developed for this purpose. They will also attend sessions of the Human Rights Council and the annual session of the Board of Trustees of the UN Voluntary Trust on Contemporary Forms of Slavery. 

Qualifications

The candidate should have extensive knowledge and working experience on human rights issues and/or contemporary forms of slavery, nationally or internationally.

Knowledge of the United Nations system will be considered an asset.

The candidate should have at least 2 years of professional experience of working in a human rights organisation. He/she should be fluent in English and French/or Spanish.

Candidates should also have a supporting letter from their organisations and be committed to imparting the knowledge and experience obtained during their fellowship to colleagues upon their return.

The Fellows will receive financial support from OHCHR in the form of a monthly stipend during the programme to cover their living expenses (about 3300 CHF per month). Flight expenses and heath insurance costs will not be covered.

Selection process for 2010

Candidates should submit their application directly to OHCHR by 15th July 2010 at the latest by email : mclerc@ohchr.org followed by postal mail to the following address:

United Nations Voluntary Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery,
OHCHR- Palais des Nations - CH 1211 Geneva, 10 -Switzerland

The Secretariat of the Voluntary Fund will select eight applicants and share these recommendations with the Board of Trustees of the UN Voluntary Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery. The Secretariat of the Fund and Board of Trustees will make the final selection of the four candidates. Selected candidates should be notified by email by 1 August 2010. 

The programme shall start 16 August and shall terminate 17 December.

The Fellowship program will have 4 Fellows per year.