OAS :: IACHR :: Fellowship

IACHR

Rapporteurship on the Rights of the Child and Save the Children

1) Modality and duration:

In person, with a duration of 12 months between January 1 and December 31, 2020, divided into two phases. The Fellowship is subject to availability of funding.

2) Place of the Fellowship:

First phase: Executive Secretariat of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) of the Organization of American States (OAS). Address: 1889 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006, United States of America.
Second phase: in San Salvador (El Salvador), with activities supporting a civil society organization member of the regional networks/coalitions for the promotion and defense of the rights of children.

3) Start and end dates:

First phase: from January 1 to the June 30, 2020.
Second phase: from July 1 to December 31, 2020.

4) Objective:

To offer the opportunity to young professionals from the OAS Member States to: 1) get to know and apply the protection mechanisms of the Inter-American Human Rights System in the area of the rights of children, 2) contribute to strengthening the capacities of civil society organizations for the strategic use of the Inter-American System and 3) promote initiatives for the participation of children.

5) Program:

In the first phase, the fellow will support for 6 months the work of the Rapporteurship on the Rights of the Child of the IACHR (Rapporteurship or RNNA), under the supervision of its specialists. In the second phase, the fellow will support for 6 months an organization/network of civil society organizations in El Salvador, to strengthen their capacities in the strategic use of the Inter-American System. During this phase, the fellow will be under the supervision of the Commission team and the organization staff for which he/she is working. At all times, the fellow must maintain regular contact (virtual meetings) with IACHR and Save the Children.

6) Expected results and products:

During the first phase:

Collaboration with the Rapporteurship team in the strategies and activities related to the dissemination of the contents and recommendations of the thematic reports of the IACHR.
Collaboration with the Rapporteurship team in the preparation of annual, thematic and country reports in which the Rapporteurship works.
Monitoring of the situation of children's rights in the region and search for respective information, as well as the preparation of the respective actions that the IACHR decides.
Preparation of relevant documentation for hearings, work meetings and visits of the IACHR related to the situation of the rights of children.
Collaboration in initiatives aimed at promoting and disseminating the inter-American human rights system and the Rapporteurship.
Writing press releases or other communications texts related to the rights of children.
Collaboration with the Rapporteurship team in the processing of petitions, cases and requests for precautionary measures regarding the rights of children.

During the second phase :

Integration of a work plan to support the strengthening of the organizations of the civil society. The fellow must prepare the work plan in the first two weeks of the start of the second phase of the Fellowship under the supervision of the IACHR and Save the Children.
Based on the knowledge acquired in the IACHR, provide specialized guidance and advice on the Inter-American Human Rights System for the different networks/coalitions of civil society organizations.
Preparation of materials and tools to promote knowledge and use of the Inter-American Human Rights System among civil society organizations.
Training of civil society representatives on the use and access to the Inter-American Human Rights System. These trainings will be face-to-face or virtual, according to budget availability.
Support networks/coalitions in the presentation and preparation of national, sub regional or regional thematic audiences before the IACHR.

Activities and expected results in both phases:

Preparation and implementation of the Rounds of Dialogue between the IACHR and civil society organizations, establishing a dialogue channel on an ongoing basis.
Opening of channels of bilateral ad hoc dialogue with public and private actors in the countries in the context of crises, emergencies and systematic violations of the human rights of children.
Design of a matrix of recommendations, decisions and agreements issued in the thematic hearings of the IACHR, for its monitoring and follow-up.
Planning and organization of children participation initiatives in the inter-American system, with a focus on the educational and information component, providing technical and administrative support, including for the preparation of content and materials.
Preparation of various inputs, briefings, etc.
Submission of quarterly reports with details on the activities carried out.

7) Requirements:

Be a national of an OAS member state;
Hold a first level degree in law, international relations, sociology, social sciences or other related area: a copy of the respective degree must be attached (specialization in international development, human rights and international law are desirable);
Have knowledge of the Spanish and English languages: proficient in one of the languages and intermediate-advanced level in the other, attaching a certificate attesting to it (desirable knowledge of Portuguese or French);
University diploma issued within the last seven years;
Demonstrable professional or college experience in the area of human rights, specifically in the field of the rights of children (preferably experience in civil society organizations supporting initiatives to guarantee the right to child participation);
Submit a written paper of three to five pages, not edited by another person, on the right of children to participate and have their opinions duly considered. Paper must be submitted in English and Spanish. No cover or bibliography is required.

8) Required documents:

The following documents are required in order to be considered for the Fellowship:
- Curriculum vitae;
- Copy of the university degree;
- Language level certificate (if not available, attach an explanatory note);
- A letter of recommendation (academic or professional) dated no more than two months in advance of the application;
- Paper written in English and Spanish;
All documents required for the application can be submitted in English or Spanish (except for the paper, according to item 7-f).
Only simple copies of the documents are required and it is not necessary to legalize them. The letters should be addressed in general to the IACHR and Save the Children.
Subject to discretion, finalists and applicants may be requested to supplement their application forms with additional information.

9) Benefits:

The Fellowship provides a stipend of US$ 3,200.00 (three thousand two hundred American dollars 00/100) per month for the entire duration of the stay. With this stipend, the Fellowship holder is responsible for acquiring health coverage of their choice during the entire period of the Fellowship, and the said acquisition must be formally accredited. In addition, the fellow will be responsible for covering and carrying out the immigration and visa procedures corresponding to each country where the Fellowship will take place.
The fellow will be responsible for any costs or additional tax to those that take place in their country of origin, as well as bank fees for the transfer of funds.
Roundtrip tickets by air in economy class from the place of residence to Washington, DC, and then to El Salvador for the second phase. No funds are provided for terminal and transit costs.
The Commission and Save the Children willgrant a certificate of participation in the program who successfully complete the entire duration of the Fellowship.

10) Responsibilities of the selected person:

The successful candidate must formally accept the Fellowship in writing, confirming their availability during the entire period and to work in both places as indicated.
In the event that the selected person has accepted the Fellowship, but for important reasons cannot subsequently take part in the program, he/she must notify immediately in writing to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and Save the Children to decide the appropriate measures to take.
It is the responsibility of the selected person to manage and obtain in a timely manner the corresponding visa (s) to enter the United States of America and/or transit countries (if applicable). The IACHR will not cover any expenses related to the processing of immigration documents or visas. The IACHR will extend a communication to the selected person certifying their selection as an official fellow of the IACHR in order to request the corresponding visa, which will be of their absolute responsibility. Additionally, the OAS will extend 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 arrive in Washington, DC and at the place of the second phase of the Fellowship with sufficient anticipation in order to be present start date established by the IACHR and/or Save the Children.
When a selected person declines the Fellowship after the ticket is purchased, or does not travel on the established dates or changes the route, he or she must reimburse the cost of the air ticket or any additional costs incurred. This includes any additional costs incurred, such as extra costs for accommodation during the journey of the person from and to your country of residence.
If the fellow resigns, cancels or terminates the Fellowship after the program has started, without presenting sufficient evidence of the cause, the person must reimburse Save the Children for all of the expenses incurred. In addition, the person must communicate his resignation and termination of the terms in writing and at the least 10 days of anticipation.

11) Selection mechanism:

Application process:

Applications must be received no later than Sunday December 1, 2019 at 11.59pm Washington, DC (GMT-5), exclusively through this link.
Applications submitted by other means, incomplete and/or after the deadline will not be considered.

Selection process:

The Selection Committee will publish the list of applicants on this page, by which interested persons may follow up on the results.
Applicants who meet the requirements will be evaluated according to subjective criteria and in accordance with the provisions of these Terms of Reference, particularly regarding desirable competencies.
The Selection Committee will decide the number of short listed applicants, no more than 10, who shall be invited for an interview by videoconference or telephone to be held between 4 and 5 of December, 2019.
After the interviews, the Selection Committee will decide on the selected person who will be notified to proceed with the procedures for accepting the Fellowship.

The Selection Committee:

The Selection Committee will be formed by three members being at least one representative of the IACHR and another of Save the Children.
The Selection Committee 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.
The decisions of the Selection Committee will be final.

12) Final provisions

The selection process for the Fellowship may be canceled at the discretion of the IACHR and Save the Children, at any time and without prior notice.
The results of the selection can be follow up on this page.
Inquiries and requests shall be sent by email to [email protected]

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