Global Fellow - Research & Documentation

THE ORGANIZATION

Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights (Heartland Alliance) is the largest service-based human rights organization in the United States, where it has become a national leader in protections services. First established in 1888 and headquartered in Chicago, IL, Heartland Alliance has since expanded its expertise to working on global issues of human rights, health, and social services. Heartland Alliance currently manages international programs in over 20 countries, where it works with vulnerable populations on some of the world’s most sensitive problems including sexual and gender-based violence, child soldier reintegration, torture and trauma treatment, trafficking in persons, LGBT rights, and juvenile justice reform. Through innovative, results-orientated human rights programming, Heartland Alliance responds to the unique needs of marginalized populations by providing critical psychosocial, medical, economic and legal assistance. Effective grass-roots partnerships remain a cornerstone of this work and enable Heartland Alliance to give voice to the needs of previously neglected, isolated, and highly vulnerable populations throughout the world.

THE PROGRAM

Heartland Alliance’s International Programs is committed to helping educate future leaders in the fields of human services and human rights. As an agency that works on a diverse set of issues using a variety of methods, Heartland Alliance is an ideal environment for individuals to make links between their classroom learning and on-the-ground work. Ultimately our goal is to supplement and in some cases add to the issue-specific knowledge recent graduates are gaining while simultaneously building skills, capacity, and connections to fully engage in human rights direct service and advocacy in their area of academic expertise or area of interest.

THE POSITION

Global Fellowship assignments are unpaid volunteer positions. Global Fellows are not eligible for employment benefits and usually last six months to one year. International Programs feel some living allowance is consistent with Heartland’s commitment to human rights, fairness, equality, and equal access. In particular, not providing an allowance ensures that lower-income individuals who cannot afford to incur expenses while volunteering have no access to our Global Fellowship program. Therefore, Global Fellows receive support on a case-by-case basis.

Project Summary: Heartland Alliance has been collaborating with the Professional Psychological Counseling Centre (PPCC), a local organization in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka, to implement “Enhancing Livelihood Opportunities for Former Child Soldier in Sri Lanka.” Supporting PPCC’s Cuckoo’s Nest, a residential rehabilitation program for former child soldiers (FCS), this three-year project aims to increase the number of former child soldiers who successfully reintegrate into civilian life and safely transition into adulthood. Through funding from the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL), the project provides each FCS with an integrated package of training and care that promotes his or her wellbeing and preparations him/her for independent adult living. The project is anchored in six-month residential vocational courses, which offer skills training in tailoring, carpentry, electrical wiring, welding and catering. Additional courses in literacy and language, as well as a one-month life skills course, support the overall empowerment of each FCS. Trauma-informed group and individual counseling is also offered to project participants, contributing to their smooth transition into civil society. A network of mentors based in the communities surrounding the Cuckoo’s Nest provides further guidance and support to project participants during their stay at the Cuckoo’s Nest, as well as during their reintegration process.

REQUIREMENTS

Education and/or Experience:

• Degree in public policy, international development, social work, gender studies or other relevant field (required), or master’s degree (strongly preferred);

• Knowledge of and interest in conflict-affected and vulnerable populations, including former child soldiers, survivors of human trafficking (required);

• Knowledge of and interest in grassroots community mobilization, capacity building and training (required);

• Significant experience in/knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies (required);

• International experience (required);

• Excellent writing skills in English (required), and proficiency in Spanish and French (preferred);

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (required);

• Significant knowledge in/experience using statistical and data management software (preferred);

• Familiarity with US Government grant programs, and monitoring and evaluation systems (preferred).

Skills:

• Able to work independently and complete tasks with minimal supervision;

• High attention to detail and commitment to producing work of the highest quality, often on short notice;

• Superb writing and editing skills;

• Able to live/work in resource-limited environments;

• Strong problem-solving skills;

• Highly reliable and motivated;

• Good sense of humor.

How to apply:

To view the full description for this position and to apply, please visit: http://www.heartlandalliance.org/whoweare/careers/search-careers.html

*Please note that we do not consider resumes sent by email, fax or postal mail.