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 violations of human rights and humanitarian law, prevent abuses, protect survivors, and promote justice and universal human rights for all.
PHR is currently accepting applications from qualified third-year law students and recent law graduates with a commitment to human rights who seek a host organization for an externally funded fellowship.
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 will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants interested in working with PHR as their host organization are encouraged to apply to us 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.; Boston, Massachusetts; or Nairobi, Kenya
Reports to: Director of Research, Legal, and Advocacy
Organizational Overview
Physicians for Human Rights was founded in 1986 by five physicians who were united in the belief that health professionals, with their specialized skills, ethical duties, and credible voices, are uniquely positioned to prevent harm and promote respect for human rights. Since its founding, PHR has built a long and distinguished record of accomplishment by conducting groundbreaking investigations and advocacy, in concert with strategic partners.
PHR’s approach includes extensive documentation of the use of illegal and inhumane weapons in armed conflicts, attacks on civilians, and the physical and psychological impacts of torture and sexual violence as a weapon of war. Other core activities include protecting the rights of those seeking asylum in the United States, the human rights implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, and halting attacks on medical facilities and frontline health professionals.
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 in 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 other 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 international human rights law and international humanitarian law, 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.