We admit applications for three-month internship in a period between 20 September 2008 and 20 December 2008.
The fellow in the Strategic Litigation Program will be fully involved in all the activities of the Program, with a special emphasis on cases that may have a foreign element, including litigation before the European Court of Human Rights. The lawyer will work under supervision of the head of the Strategic Litigation Program and will be helping in litigating cases that may have a crucial impact on development of human rights in Poland and in Europe.
The fellow is expected to perform legal work. He/she will have the following responsibilities:
** Legal research on various human rights issues, with a special emphasis on jurisdiction of human
rights courts and comparative legal research on legislative solutions adopted in other countries;
** Preparation of draft applications and interventions to the international bodies dealing with human
rights protection;
** Preparation of draft amicus curiae briefs to be submitted to the international human rights courts
(especially European Court of Human Rights),
** Preparation of case briefs concerning different cases litigated within the Strategic Litigation
Program,
** Contacts with NGOs active in other countries (including fellow's country of origin) concerning
litigation efforts in similar cases,
** Preparation of press releases on important judgments and summary of cases,
** Work on the litigation strategy of cases included in the Strategic Litigation Program,
** Review of cases communicated by the European Court of Human Rights.
We also encourage our interns to participate in classes at the Warsaw University (in English), to study Polish or to participate in other educational activities. Intern will also be expected to make a short presentation for the employees and volunteers of the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights concerning his/her interests or experiences in human rights. Intern will be also mentored by the Head of the Strategic Litigation Program throughout the whole period of internship.
The Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights has a broad experience in hosting interns. The Strategic Litigation Program had in last 3 years interns from Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Germany, United States, Switzerland and other countries, sponsored by different organizations.
The internship is financed by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, within a program "Strategic Litigation in the Caucasus" operated by the Netherlands Helsinki Committee, IINERIGHTS and partner organizations in Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The HFHR will arrange for intern a payment for travel, travel insurance and visa costs, along with a monthly stipend covering all the expenses. The HFHR may also help in arrangement for housing for interns.
Applicants should check the attached person specification to ensure that they fit the requirements.
The successful applicant will:
** have a degree in law;
** have worked for two years in a human rights NGO or as a practising lawyer in Georgia or
Azerbaijan;
** have worked with the European Convention of Human Rights and the jurisprudence of
the European Court of Human Rights;
** be connected with civil society actors in the region and show potential to contribute to
the development of human rights law in the region;
** be familiar with regional and international human rights instruments and mechanisms;
** demonstrate strong research, analytical and writing skills; and
** have good spoken and written English.
To apply, please, send by a cover letter and curriculum vitae. Short listed applicants may be interviewed by telephone or asked questions by e-mail.
Applications in English language should be sent to Maciej Bernatt, Head of the Strategic Litigation Program in the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights by e-mail only to m.bernatt@hfhr.org.pl.
The closing date for applications is:
- 17 August 2008, 12.00 p.m.,
Telephone interviews will be conducted on 20, 21 and 22 August 2008.
Decision on selection will be made on 25 August 2008. On the same day the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights will send an official invitation in order to proceed with visa.
On 20-21 September 2008 intern is expected to come to Warsaw and to start internship on 22 September 2008.
An internship ends on 19 December 2008 and an intern may leave Warsaw on 20-21 December 2008.
