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 recruitment@frontlinedefenders.org. Please note applications submitted by email cannot be accepted.
Front Line Defenders is currently recruiting for the following positions:
Grants Coordinator – Europe and Central Asia
Location: Remote/Based in Europe and Central Asia
Contract: Full-time, 1-year Fixed term contract (Sabbatical cover)
Reporting to: Head of Protection Grants
Salary: Grade 6
About the role
Front Line Defenders is recruiting a Grants Coordinator to support the Protection Grants Team’s response to human rights defenders (HRDs) at risk in Europe and Central Asia. The purpose of the Protection Grants team is to provide fast, flexible, and effective responses to the protection needs of HRDs at immediate risk who are requesting practical security measures such as legal support, medical support, emergency relocation support and other expressed needs for themselves and their families, organisations and movements.
The Grants Coordinator engages in the assessment of applications, communication with human rights defenders, engagement with international and regional partners, making recommendations on grant approvals, documentation of applications statuses, contracting and reporting, as well as providing reports and analysis of activities undertaken and support provided, and assessing the overall impact of the grants programme.
This role requires solid knowledge of key human rights trends in the ECA region and their impact on human rights defenders and their movements. The successful candidate will have the ability deliver accurate and objective written information in a high pressure environment and to work well with a wide range of people from different cultures, backgrounds and experiences, with empathy and clear boundaries.
For more information, please view: https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/sites/default/files/sabbatical_cover_...
About Front Line Defenders
Front Line Defenders is an international organisation/charity 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 help through protection grants, physical and digital protection training, lobbying, advocacy and campaigning. For more information, please visit www.frontlinedefenders.org
To Apply
- To apply, candidates need to submit a copy of their application - CV and cover letter - via the 'Apply now' button;
- Cover letters should be addressed to Caitriona Rice, Protection Manager;
- Closing date; midnight (local Irish time) on Tuesday, 23 September 2025 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.
