The Open Society Justice Initiative together with Central European University (CEU) calls for applications for its 2013-2015 Justice Initiative Fellows Program. The Justice Initiative Fellows Program is a two-year program of study and practical work experience whose objective is to support and further develop a network of lawyers and activists working internationally on human rights issues.
During the first year of the fellowship, Fellows will undertake a human rights degree program at CEU’s Legal Studies Department (either an M.A. or LL.M., depending on their undergraduate degree). This first year of study also includes a three-month internship with a leading European human rights organization. Fellows will receive a full scholarship for their CEU studies.
During the second year of the fellowship, the fellows will be employed by their nominating NGO to conduct human rights advocacy on a non-profit basis. Their work can range from providing legal services, to undertaking human rights litigation, to providing training and human rights education. The Fellows’ salary during this second year of practical work will be paid by the Justice Initiative in the form of a grant to the nominating organization. Compensation will be based on the nominating NGO’s practices as well as local pay scales.
In 2013, eight applicants will be awarded Justice Initiative Fellowships.
Applicants from the following regions are eligible: Central and Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Central/South America.
Applicants must be nominated by a national non-governmental organization (NGO) concerned with human rights. Criteria for selection will include the applicant’s experience, his/her potential to contribute to the protection and promotion of human rights, and the suitability of the applicant's proposed role in the nominating NGO. The applicant must demonstrate a strong commitment to human rights, and have a university degree and a high degree of proficiency in English.
The application is available online. All applications must be submitted electronically.
As part of the online application, applicants must submit the following additional documents::
- A nominating letter from an NGO describing the reasons for nominating the applicant, the expectations the NGO has of the project, and contractually committing with the Justice Initiative to employ the applicant for at least one year after s/he returns from the twelve-month training program in Hungary. The nomination letter should also indicate a monthly salary gross rate in USD (including all taxes and fees) that will be offered to the applicant by the NGO in the event that s/he is selected for the program (provided to the NGO by the Justice Initiative in the form of a grant). The final amount will be determined by the Justice Initiative according to the preset criteria.
- Proof of English proficiency: For applicants from the former Soviet Union and Central and Eastern Europe, language tests will be carried out by local Soros Foundation/Open Society Institute coordinators, the list of test sites is available here. The dates of the centrally administered TOEFL and departmental tests can be found here. Candidates residing outside of the testing region are required to submit official score reports (for more information see also here).
- A statement of purpose for applying to the Justice Initiative Fellows program.
- A proposal of project activities that the applicant plans to work on with the nominating NGO during the second year of the fellowship.
All applicants must meet the general CEU Admissions requirements, as well as the CEU Legal Studies Department requirements.
The DEADLINE for receiving applications at CEU is January 24, 2013, 24:00 Pacific Standard Time (PST):
In the event that you have applied or are considering applying for different grants, fellowships, or scholarships with either the Open Society Foundations or CEU, please note that you can only be granted one fellowship or grant from either of these institutions for the given period .
Upon selection, fellows will be required to sign an agreement with the Justice Initiative, committing themselves to the program for two years.
For more information regarding the first year of the program, please contact:
Andrea Jenei
Department Coordinator
Legal Studies Department
Central European University
Nador u. 9, Budapest 1051
Tel: +361 327-3205
Email: jeneia@ceu.hu
For more information regarding the overall program and the second year commitment, please contact:
Anna Fischer
Fellows Program Officer
Open Society Justice Initiative
Oktober 6. u. 12, Budapest 1051
Tel: +361 882-3108
Fax: +361 882 3103
Email: anna.fischer@opensocietyfoundations.org