Job Description

Opportunity Description

Are you an indigenous representative looking to understand how the United Nations human rights system works? If so, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) runs the Indigenous Fellowship Programme (IFP), a fully funded training program held in Geneva, Switzerland. Moreover, the program trains indigenous individuals from around the world on UN human rights mechanisms, with a focus on issues affecting indigenous peoples. Applications for the OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Program 2027 are now open, with training delivered across four language components: English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese.

Key Details

• Provided by: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
• Host institution: OHCHR, Geneva, Switzerland
• Location: Geneva, Switzerland (training takes place in person)
• Admission Deadline: 6 September 2026, 23:59 Geneva time (all language groups)
• Degree Level: Not applicable. This is a non-degree human rights training fellowship, not an academic program.
• Gender: All genders. Women, LGBTQI+ individuals, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Type: Fellowship
• Eligible Nations: Open worldwide to indigenous individuals, regardless of country.
• Eligible Degree Programs: Not applicable. The IFP does not fund or connect to any academic degree program. It is a standalone capacity-building training course.

Fellowship Program Benefits

• Return flight ticket to Geneva for the training period
• Coverage of living expenses during the program
• Basic health insurance for the duration of training
• Four weeks of specialized human rights training in Geneva, delivered with simultaneous interpretation across language groups
• Direct exposure to the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP), since training dates usually align with its annual session in June or July

Eligibility Criteria

• The candidate must self-identify as indigenous. OHCHR will not consider non-indigenous applicants, even those with close ties to indigenous communities or organizations.
• Age places no limit on eligibility. OHCHR states that age should not be a barrier to participation.
• Formal education places no limit on eligibility. OHCHR recognizes that socio-economic barriers restrict many indigenous peoples’ access to formal schooling.
• The candidate’s indigenous organization or community must nominate them and support their candidacy. OHCHR prefers sponsoring organizations with a firm constituency or membership base.
• The candidate must commit to training other indigenous persons in their community or organization after completing the fellowship.
• The candidate must have a good working knowledge of the language in which their chosen program component is delivered (English, Spanish, French, or Portuguese).
• The official page does not list a minimum GPA, degree equivalency requirement, or any standardized language test (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo). Working knowledge of the instruction language is assessed through the application and interview process rather than a test score.

How to Apply?

• First, submit your application online through the official OHCHR survey portal before the deadline.
• Next, complete both Part I and Part II of the application form in full, since incomplete forms are not considered.
• Then, upload an official recommendation letter from your nominating indigenous organization or community directly to the online form. This letter is mandatory.
• Finally, only pre-selected candidates get contacted for interviews, so make sure every section of your application is complete and accurate before you submit.

Apply Now