Are you passionate about human rights and want to make a difference in the world? Have you ever dreamed of engaging with the United Nations and contributing to human rights work? If yes, then here’s an opportunity for you. The UN Human Rights Office is currently accepting applications for its OHCHR Fellowship Programme 2026 in Switzerland. This is a unique and exciting opportunity for individuals of African descent to gain first-hand exposure to the UN human rights system and to develop their skills in project proposal development, public speaking, and engagement with human rights mechanisms.
The United Nations fellowship program was started in 2011 by the Anti-Racial Discrimination Section and is supported by a General Assembly resolution. The program is part of the implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent, which aims to recognize and promote the rights and well-being of people of African descent worldwide. The High Commissioner coordinates this initiative. The primary goal of the fellowship program is to enhance the skills of participants in promoting and protecting the civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights of people of African descent in their countries.
The fully funded fellowship provides participants with the opportunity to build a network with fellow participants and human rights practitioners, which can support their future career growth. It also offers valuable experience in the field of human rights through direct engagement with international mechanisms. Don’t miss this chance to strengthen your skills and contribute to meaningful change.
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945 to promote peace, security, and cooperation among nations. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) was established in 1993 to promote and protect human rights globally. This fellowship is a unique opportunity for individuals of African descent to gain valuable skills and knowledge in the field of human rights.
Quick Overview of the UN OHCHR Fellowship 2026 in Switzerland:
- Host Organization: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
- Location: Geneva
- Host Country: Switzerland 🇨🇭
- Duration: 3 Weeks
- Program Dates: 9 – 27 November 2026
- Pre-Program Requirement: 2 weeks online preparation
Benefits of UN OHCHR Fellowship Program in Geneva, Switzerland:
- The fellowship will cover economy-class tickets, basic health insurance, and a stipend.
- The stipend will cover the accommodation and other living expenses.
- The program has a specific focus on combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance.
- Participants will have the opportunity to strengthen their skills in project proposal development, delivering presentations, and submitting information to human rights mechanisms.
- Participants will have the opportunity to engage with various human rights mechanisms.
- The fellowship program provides participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to advance their careers in the human rights field.
Eligibility Criteria For UN OHCHR Fellowship in Switzerland 2026:
The eligibility criteria for United Nations fellowship opportunity are as follows:
- The candidate must be of African descent and currently living outside of Africa.
- The candidate must have a minimum of 4 years of work experience related to the rights of people of African descent.
- The candidate must be available to attend the entire duration of the program.
- The candidate must be involved in the promotion and protection of the human rights of people of African descent.
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How to Apply for UN OHCHR Fellowship Program 2025
- Candidates need to submit an online application.
- For that, download and complete the application form in English, Français, or Español.
- Prepare a personal statement of no more than 500 words in which you explain your motivation for applying and how you plan to use the knowledge gained from the fellowship to promote the interests and rights of people of African descent.
- Obtain an official letter from the organization that is nominating you, certifying your status.
- Make sure you have a copy of your passport available.
- Rename all the attached documents to follow the naming convention of “LAST NAME First name – Type of document”.
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Send an email to ohchr-africandescentfellowship@un.org with the following attachments:
- Completed application form
- Curriculum Vitae
- Personal statement
- Official letter from the nominating organization
- Copy of your passport
- Make sure that the email subject header mentions “Application for the 2026 Fellowship Programme for People of African Descent”.
- Submit the email with all the required attachments before the deadline of 15 May 2026.
Note: It is important to note that any submission with more than five attachments will not be accepted, so make sure to combine all required documents into a single file.
UN OHCHR Fellowship Application Deadline:
- The deadline for submitting applications for the fellowship program is 15 May, 2026.
