Externally Funded Legal Fellow

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), which shared in the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997, is a U.S.-based international advocacy organization working at the intersection of medicine, science, and law. With a global network of thousands of medical, scientific, and legal experts, PHR uses the power of medical and scientific evidence to document human rights and humanitarian law violations and prevent abuses, protect survivors, and promote justice and universal human rights for all.

Please note that to apply for these fellowships, applicants must have secured, or be able to secure, outside funding, including through the Equal Justice Works, Skadden, Justice Catalyst, or other competitive fellowship or grant programs. Upon accepting your application, PHR staff will work with you to develop your project proposal according to your funding source’s timeline and other requirements.

Please send a cover letter that includes a paragraph on your proposal or areas of interest for your project and the name(s) of the external fellowship(s) for which you intend to apply; résumé; transcript; and relevant writing sample with a cover page that briefly explains the context in which it was written, and whether and how the sample was edited based on suggestions from others. Applications should be sent to resumes@phr.org and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants interested in working with PHR as their host organization are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Selected applicants will discuss their proposal ideas and interests with a PHR staff member in a pre-screen interview.

Work Authorization: Applicants must be authorized to work in the country where the PHR office which they wish to work in is located.

Location: Headquarters, New York, NY; Washington, D.C.; or Nairobi, Kenya

Reports to: Director of Research, Legal, and Advocacy

Organizational Overview

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) deploys scientific, medical, public health, and forensic technical expertise to document and seek justice for human rights and humanitarian violations and international crimes.

Through advocacy and partnerships with affected communities, mobilization of the moral authority of medical and public health professionals, and collaboration with local and international organizations and associations, we empower our networks of health professionals to serve as human rights advocates.

In parallel, we strengthen the methods by which clinicians, alongside law enforcement and legal sectors, gather and present evidence that documents cases of human rights violations and war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

Role Description

Under the supervision of PHR’s legal staff, the Externally Funded Legal Fellow will help us protect and advance PHR’s mission by supporting new and ongoing impact legal advocacy in collaboration with other teams.

Responsibilities

Conduct legal and policy research on current issues on civil rights, international criminal, humanitarian, and human rights law and policy to support development of issue briefs and press statements.
Develop factsheets and webinars on legal, research, and advocacy efforts for PHR’s Research, Legal, and Advocacy program.
Research and contribute to reports, briefing papers, policy papers, blog posts, press releases, and internal memos regarding PHR’s research, investigations, and advocacy initiatives.
Draft sections of legal briefs, advocacy submissions to the U.N. and other human rights bodies, and legal analysis of pending legislation or legal filings.
Participate in meetings with advocacy partners and stakeholders, supporting key research and advocacy collaborations.
Support internal coordination across PHR’s research, legal, and advocacy initiatives.
You will also have the opportunity to attend regular learning and social events with interns and staff from PHR to round out the learning experience and complement career mentoring provided by the Director of Research, Legal, and Advocacy.

Requirements

A third-year law student, LL.M student, or recent law school graduate eligible for and seeking external funding for a fellowship term of one-year minimum. Applicants must have a law degree prior to the start of the fellowship.
Able to articulate a commitment to promoting adherence to U.S. civil rights law and/or international human rights, humanitarian, and criminal laws, and prior experience engaging in projects related to PHR’s priority areas of work.
Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills as demonstrated through an internship, clinical and other work experience, writing sample, and academic record.
Self-motivated, proactive, enthusiastic, creative, and detail-oriented; have excellent research, writing, communication, and interpersonal skills; and can work independently.

Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate

Can demonstrate involvement in activities, employment, or scholarship that promote human rights, including in the fields of attacks on health care in conflict and crisis, gender-based violence in conflict and crisis, reproductive rights, torture, immigration and asylum, or excessive force.
Preference will be given to candidates admitted to the bar or planning to sit for the bar exam prior to the start of the fellowship.

Physicians for Human Rights is an equal opportunity employer. We recruit and hire without regard to race, national origin, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, prior conviction, arrest history, disability, marital status, veteran status, or age.

Work With Us | Externally Funded Legal Fellow