Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a leading non-sectarian non-profit organization providing emergency relief, protection, rehabilitation assistance, resettlement services and advocacy for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict.  Our staff and volunteers provide shelter, medical and public health assistance, education, training and income-generating programs for refugees and internally displaced people in nearly 30 countries. We also help refugees resettle in the United States through 23 offices. The IRC is committed to protecting and promoting the rights of people affected by armed conflict.  Our programs ensure that beneficiaries have equal access to information and services that meet their basic needs.

FELLOWSHIP DESCRIPTION:

IRC, in collaboration with UNHCR, is piloting an initiative to promote the rule of law and improve access to justice in refugee camps in Mae Hong Son and Tak provinces along the Thai-Burmese border.  The project seeks to enhance traditional and formal justice systems, through the provision of counseling to individuals, information dissemination and capacity building of community leaders and camp-based justice officials, CBOs, community members and Thai officials.  Working under the supervision of the Legal Assistance Center management staff, the Rule of Law Fellow will work collaboratively with other IRC program staff, particularly those associated with the Gender Based Violence (GBV) project.  The Fellowship will run simultaneously for 6 months and will be based in Mae Sot.

Dispute Resolution:

The Fellow will conduct capacity building work in the administration of justice in Mae La camp in northern Thailand.  Working in collaboration with a Fellow in Mae Hong Son, both will build upon existing research of root causes of conflict and violence within camp communities.  Current Fellows have begun to train refugee leadership with a variety of conflict and dispute resolution tools, and have conducted capacity building training with camp justice committees, promoting basic fair trial and rule of law standards, as well as focusing on legal topics of particular relevance in camp. Fellows also conduct hearing and detention monitoring in camp. They will also produce research papers and contribute to other LAC project goals, such as legal awareness activities, as appropriate.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Continue to build on existing research on dispute resolution and the administration of justice in refugee camps and produce research papers on topics of concern to the Legal Assistance Center Project.
• Conduct extensive training with camp leadership at all levels on dispute/conflict resolution methods as well as basic justice/fair trial/ rule of law standards.
• Contribute to the development of guidelines for administration of justice in refugee camps.
• With LAC trainers and project officers, develop innovative awareness creation and information dissemination materials on dispute resolution/ rule of law/ justice issues.
• Under the guidance of LAC management, develop the institutional capacity of camp justice and security institutions, implementing measures such as case management protocols or detention monitoring methods.
• Draft regular progress reports.
• Undertake other tasks as directed by LAC management.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Law or Masters of Law degree, preferably with some demonstrated background or interest in dispute resolution.
• Strong interest in international affairs and human rights.
• Strong communication skills, training experience desirable.
• Cultural sensitivity
• Organized and detail-oriented.

Desirable but not essential:

Working overseas in a post conflict or refugee setting.

Length of Internship:  6 months