Front Line Defenders seeks to recruit staff, interns and volunteers in an open and transparent manner. Front Line Defenders is an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to promoting cultural diversity within the Front Line Defenders staff. All positions are advertised via this website as well as through other media or networks appropriate to the position being advertised.
Unfortunately, due to the volume of requests we receive, it is not possible to keep general applications or CVs on file. During a recruitment process we do not generally review applications received until after the closing date. Shortlisting can take some time given the volume of applications we receive for some posts.
For any questions or queries, or if you require any adjustments or accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected]. Please note applications submitted by email cannot be accepted.
Front Line Defenders is currently recruiting for the following positions:
Seek
Expressions of Interest:
Advocacy Officer
Front Line Defenders is seeking expressions of interest from exceptional candidates for the post of Advocacy Officer, commencing from January 2026. This two-year fixed-term role will be based in the organisation’s Brussels office and will report to the Head of Global Advocacy.
Overview
The Advocacy Officer will have the responsibility to provide support to HRDs at risk in the Middle East and Africa regions through, in coordination with the Protection Team, engaging international stakeholders to take action on individual HRD cases, as well as through advocating for the adoption and reviewing of relevant policies to strengthen the protection of HRDs. Under the supervision of Head of the Global Advocacy Team, the Advocacy Officer will engage directly with EU institutions and EU member States, other states, the UN, civil society, HRDs and other relevant international, regional, or national actors.
Background
Front Line Defenders is an international organisation based in Ireland that works exclusively for the protection of human rights defenders at risk. Human rights defenders are people who are persecuted because of their peaceful work for the rights of others. Front Line Defenders provides practical help through protection grants, physical and digital protection training, lobbying, advocacy and campaigning.
Role responsibilities
- Outreach to EU/member state authorities and other international stakeholders on cases of HRDs at risk, pressing for action in accordance with national Guidelines on HRDs, including the EU Guidelines, and beyond;
- Liaise directly with HRDs as needed and in coordination with the Protection Team, to advise on tailored advocacy actions;
- Identify and develop FLD’s input into key relevant processes at the EU and UN levels and regionally in the Middle East and Africa that impact HRDs
- Identify key opportunities for advocacy on cases and also to ensure the accessibility and participation of HRDs in relevant international settings;
- Organise advocacy rounds for HRDs ( travel, visa support, accommodation and other logistics etc);
- Conduct advocacy research to identify advocacy pressure points;
- Write and edit high-quality advocacy content including letters, statements, briefings and other relevant communications destined for EU, UN and states;
- By delegation of the Head of Global Advocacy, represent Front Line Defenders in advocacy meetings;
- Carry out administrative tasks such as note taking, regularly updating key contacts and the advocacy calendar, database.
Salary & Benefits
- €2,577 - €4,744 per month gross, plus holiday pay and 13th month payment
- 26 annual leave days
- Pension
- Paid Health Insurance
- Income Protection & Life Assurance
- Employee Assistance Scheme (EAP)
- Monthly Well-Being Provisions
Requirements
Interested applicants must have:
- Minimum of two years of relevant experience in a similar role and sound knowledge of the functioning of the EU Institutions, EU human rights instruments, policy and practice, and the UN and international human rights standards.
- Ability to defend and explain complex issues and positions to international, regional, and national actors including governments and diplomats.
- Strong communication skills including the ability to clearly and concisely communicate ideas and render complex concepts accessible to human rights defenders not familiar with advocacy and/or the functioning of the international human rights architecture.
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically and advocate effectively.
- Excellent English, Arabic and French communication and drafting skills.
- Ability to multi-task effectively, manage time, adjust to changing priorities, and meet deadlines.
- Strong interpersonal skills to work collaboratively within Front Line Defenders, as well as develop constructive relationships with HRDs, NGOs, international and regional organisations, and governments.
- Computer skills (office applications, database updating)
For further information, please view https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/sites/default/files/advocacy_officer_jd.pdf
Closing Date
Applicants must submit their applications (CV & cover letter) by midnight (Irish time) on Sunday, 7th December 2025 via the ‘Apply Now’ button as per FLD vacancies page: https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/recruitment-volunteering
Seek
Expressions of Interest:
Event & Visa Assistant
Front Line Defenders is seeking expressions of interest from exceptional candidates for the post of Event & Visa Assistant, commencing from January 2026. This six-month fixed-term role will be based in the organisation’s Dublin office and will report to the Head of Communications and Events, and day-to-day duties will be supervised by the International Events and Promotions Coordinator.
Overview
The Event & Visa Assistant will work closely with the Communications and Events team on the organisation of a large-scale international conference taking place in Dublin in June 2026. A core focus of the role will be coordination of the visa process, flights and other travel arrangements for approximately 25 human rights defenders (and other international conference participants if/when advised); in addition to travel logistics support, additional administrative, event & organisational tasks; as well as keeping the organisation’s database up to date.
Background
Front Line Defenders is an international organisation based in Ireland that works exclusively for the protection of human rights defenders at risk. Human rights defenders are people who are persecuted because of their peaceful work for the rights of others. Front Line Defenders provides practical help through protection grants, physical and digital protection training, lobbying, advocacy and campaigning.
Role responsibilities
- Coordinating the applications and processing of Irish visas (and transit visas in third countries, where applicable) for approximately 25 human rights defenders from a range of countries across all global regions;
- Liaising with the Irish visa office to ensure timely turnaround of visa applications;
- Liaising with relevant regional colleagues to coordinate collection of visas;
- Updating the team weekly on progress of all visa applications;
- In coordination with relevant colleagues, also support the travel arrangements (booking flights and internal travel arrangements) for the human rights defenders visiting Dublin for the conference and trips of other international delegates (high-level speakers, Board members, diplomats, governmental authorities etc.)
- Be on call for logistical support to HRDs while they are in transit.
- Support on drafting/coordinating guest lists and invitations
- Coordinating hotel lists and booking accommodation for conference participants
- Dealing with suppliers for goodie bag, catering, printing etc.
- Compiling welcome/info packs for conference participants
- Event assistance on site in Dublin for the 3 days of the conference in June 2026, as well as during participants’ arrival and departure processes
- Writing and distributing email correspondence, letters and forms and recording relevant data
- Updating and maintaining Front Line Defenders database and working documents; and other ad-hoc coordination and administrative tasks as required.
Salary & Benefits
- €30,326 - €43,062 per annum (Points 4 – 16, Grade I)
- 26 annual leave days
- Pension
- Paid Health Insurance
- Income Protection & Life Assurance
- Employee Assistance Scheme (EAP)
- Monthly Well-Being Provisions
Requirements
Interested applicants must have:
- Previous experience coordinating international visa application and travel processes for a large-scale event;
- Previous experience being involved or supporting on medium/large-scale events.
- Previous work experience in an administrative role in an office environment.
- A good knowledge of steps, procedures and timelines needed for international visa application processes;
- A basic understanding of the complexity of coordinating a large-scale event;
- Excellent organisational & multi-tasking skills with a high level of attention to detail and accuracy;
- Strong computer literacy (database, mailouts, spreadsheets etc);
- An aptitude for problem solving;
- Good oral and written communication skills in English;
- Excellent time management skills and the ability to prioritise work;
- An ability to work well under pressure, both as part of a team and independently;
- A flexible, cooperative and professional attitude.
- Valid work authorisation in Ireland.
For further information, please view https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/sites/default/files/2026_event_visa_assistant_jd_final.pdf
Closing Date
Applicants must submit their applications (CV & cover letter) by midnight on Tuesday, 02 December 2025 via the ‘Apply Now’ button as per FLD vacancies page: https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/recruitment-volunteering
Consultancies and tenders
None at the present time.
Fellowships and internships
Front Line Defenders annually recruits for two positions that are part of the organisation's commitment to strengthening international mechanisms supporting human rights defenders:
Internship at the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (Banjul)
Front Line Defenders and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) invite applications for an Internship at the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights to support the work of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and Focal Point on Reprisals in Africa. It is a 12-month position based in Banjul, under the supervision of the ACHPR Secretariat. Candidates should be able to work in both English and French. Candidates who have experience as a HumanRights Defender in Africa will be prioritised.
Frank Jennings Fellowship (Dublin & Geneva)
The Frank Jennings Fellowship was set up to give an opportunity for dedicated and talented individuals to gain experience working for the protection of human rights defenders in an international NGO and at the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. It is named after Front Line Defenders former Head of Research who died after a long illness in 2005. Frank made a huge contribution to the development of human rights activism in Ireland and candidates who have some experience of human rights work in Ireland will be given priority.
The Frank Jennings Fellow spends three months at Front Line Defenders where he/she will be trained in relation to Human Rights Defenders; the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders; the Mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur; the procedures and methodology of the mandate; the role of Front Line Defenders and other national and international organisations in the support and protection of Human Rights Defenders. The Fellow will then move to Geneva for a period six months before returning to Front Line Defenders for a further three months.
Volunteering at Front Line Defenders
We greatly appreciate the valuable contribution of volunteers who support the work of Front Line Defenders.
The best way to get involved is to help Front Line Defenders raise awareness about the risks faced by human rights defenders around the world and to help raise much needed funds to increase their security and protection.
When human rights defenders visit Ireland on rest & respite, it is important to provide a network of support to them. This community of support includes volunteers interested in accompanying the human rights defender sightseeing, to music and cultural activities, sharing about Irish history and current affairs or other hobbies/activities that may be of interest. Language support is especially useful to visiting human rights defenders. The working languages of Front Line Defenders are English, French, Spanish, Arabic and Russian but sometimes we also need support with other languages.
If specific additional volunteering opportunities arise, they will be posted here.
