Overview

Partners in Justice International (PJI) is offering a Legal Fellow opportunity for candidates interested in international criminal law, human rights litigation, and global justice advocacy. This fellowship is aimed at motivated legal professionals and emerging human rights practitioners seeking hands-on exposure to international justice work, particularly within post-conflict and post-authoritarian environments.

The role focuses on legal research, strategic litigation support, capacity-building initiatives, and collaboration with justice-sector actors working to advance accountability and survivor-centered justice systems.

Unlike traditional entry-level legal positions, this fellowship places candidates within the broader field of international human rights and transitional justice. Fellows contribute to projects involving atrocity crimes, justice system analysis, legal documentation, and engagement with international stakeholders.

This opportunity may particularly interest:

• Law students pursuing international law careers
• Human rights advocates
• Aspiring international criminal lawyers
• Legal researchers
• Transitional justice practitioners
• Judicial clerks interested in global justice systems

An important aspect of this fellowship is that it is unsalaried by PJI itself. Instead, the organization hosts candidates who either already possess external fellowship funding or are actively applying for competitive grants or university-sponsored legal fellowships.

For candidates seeking international law fellowships, human rights legal experience, or remote legal research opportunities connected to global justice work, this fellowship offers meaningful professional exposure.

Why This Opportunity Matters

International criminal law and human rights litigation play an essential role in addressing mass atrocities, strengthening accountability systems, and supporting victims and survivors in fragile or post-conflict societies.

This fellowship is significant because it provides emerging legal professionals with direct exposure to:

• International human rights advocacy
• Transitional justice systems
• Strategic legal interventions
• Human rights documentation
• Capacity-building initiatives
• Cross-border legal collaboration

Professionals working in these areas often contribute to efforts involving:

• Accountability for atrocity crimes
• Rule of law strengthening
• Survivor rights advocacy
• Justice sector reform
• International legal standards implementation

The fellowship also offers practical experience in high-level legal analysis and policy-oriented research — skills that are highly valuable for careers in:

• International organizations
• Human rights NGOs
• International tribunals
• Public interest law
• Legal academia
• Diplomatic or multilateral institutions

Another major advantage is the opportunity to work within international professional networks involving legal practitioners, human rights advocates, embassy representatives, and UN-related stakeholders.

For candidates planning long-term careers in international criminal law (ICL) or international human rights law (IHRL), this fellowship may provide highly relevant foundational experience.

Application Tips

This fellowship is competitive and mission-driven, so applicants should focus on demonstrating both legal competence and commitment to human rights work.

Highlight International Law Interest Clearly

Your application should strongly emphasize:

• International criminal law interest
• Human rights advocacy experience
• Transitional justice exposure
• Research projects or publications
• Relevant coursework or internships

PJI specifically seeks candidates with demonstrated commitment to ICL or IHRL.

Showcase Research & Analytical Skills

The fellowship involves extensive legal and factual analysis. Candidates should demonstrate experience with:

• Legal research
• Case analysis
• Policy research
• Academic writing
• Human rights documentation
• Comparative legal analysis

Strong writing ability is especially important.

Demonstrate Independent Work Capacity

Since the role involves remote and self-directed work, applicants should show evidence of:

• Time management
• Initiative
• Independent research ability
• Remote collaboration experience

Explain Your Funding Source Carefully

A key requirement is identifying an external fellowship or grant source. Applicants should clearly explain:

• Potential university fellowship support
• Legal research grants
• International law scholarships
• Professional fellowship programs

Applications without a realistic funding pathway may face challenges during consideration.

Tailor Your Cover Letter

A strong cover letter should explain:

• Why international justice work matters to you
• Your specific interest in human rights or atrocity crime accountability
• Relevant legal or research experience
• Your long-term professional goals

Avoid generic legal career statements.

Responsibilities

• The Legal Fellow will support legal research, capacity-building initiatives, and organizational operations related to international justice and human rights work.

  Factual & Legal Research

  • Analyze political and legal environments across different jurisdictions
  • Assess justice systems against international human rights standards
  • Evaluate opportunities for organizational engagement and legal intervention

  Research activities help support informed strategic decision-making.

  Capacity Building Support

  • Assist in planning training sessions for local justice-sector partners
  • Support development of legal tools and training materials
  • Review evidence and maintain confidential records

  Capacity-building strengthens local legal and justice systems.

  Strategic Legal Interventions

  • Contribute to initiatives supporting atrocity crime survivors
  • Assist in strengthening global justice and accountability networks
  • Support legal strategies related to international human rights protection

  These activities contribute to broader accountability and justice efforts.

  Education, Outreach & Communication

  • Draft reports and organizational updates
  • Support website and communication materials
  • Participate in meetings with embassies, UN representatives, and stakeholders

  Communication work supports advocacy, visibility, and organizational engagement.

  Management & Administrative Support

  • Assist with supervision and coordination of legal interns
  • Support internal organizational activities where needed 

Requirements

• Education

  Applicants should meet one of the following criteria:

  • Final-year student in a graduate law program (JD or LLM)
  • Judicial clerk
  • Recent law graduate
  • Holder of an LLB with equivalent professional legal experience

  Core Interest

  Candidates must demonstrate strong interest and commitment to:

  • International Criminal Law (ICL)
  • International Human Rights Law (IHRL)

  Skills

  Strong candidates should possess:

  • Excellent legal writing ability
  • Strong oral communication skills
  • Legal research and analytical capability
  • Independent work skills
  • Remote collaboration ability

  Funding Requirement

  Applicants must identify at least one likely external funding source, such as:

  • University fellowship grants
  • Legal research fellowships
  • Human rights scholarships
  • International law funding programs

  This is a mandatory aspect of the application process.

  Personal Attributes

  PJI values candidates who demonstrate:

  • Commitment to justice and human rights
  • Intellectual curiosity
  • Professional integrity
  • Initiative and adaptability
  • Respect for diverse and underrepresented communities

How to Apply

Interested candidates should:

1. Identify a likely external grant or fellowship source
2. Prepare a professional CV
3. Prepare a tailored cover letter highlighting:
   • Research experience
   • Human rights commitment
   • International law interest
   • Proposed funding source

Applicants are encouraged to explain clearly how their funding arrangement may support participation in the fellowship.

Partners in Justice International encourages applications from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds, including candidates who may not meet every preferred qualification perfectly but demonstrate strong potential and commitment to the mission.