Legal Fellow (South Asia)

ABOUT LAW 

Legal Action Worldwide (LAW) is an independent non-profit organization of human rights lawyers and jurists, united in our belief that those who have experienced human rights violations and international crimes, should receive survivor-centered, gender-competent, and trauma-informed support to access the justice they deserve.  

LAW’s teams operate on the ground in fragile and conflict-affected contexts across the Middle East, East Africa, Europe, and South Asia in 18 countries. In collaboration with survivors, the affected communities, and a wide network of civil society partners, LAW focuses on credible documentation, securing evidence and strategic litigation at national, regional and international levels. We also work towards ensuring survivors’ meaningful engagement with justice and advocacy processes. Alongside this, we provide technical assistance to strengthen justice institutions to ensure they are equipped to deliver the justice that survivors need, and work with legislators to promote accountability and the rule of law.  

LAW’s vision: A world where all victims and survivors have access to justice, so that impunity is not a barrier to sustainable peace. 

THE ROLE 

This internship offers a unique opportunity to work with LAW’s South Asia team, working on Myanmar/Rohingya crisis and Afghanistan. Successful candidates will gain in-depth insight into the operations of a frontline legal organisation working in complex and conflict-affected contexts.  

MORE ABOUT THIS POSITION 

Location: Remote. Preferred working hours include core overlap between 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Indian Standard Time (IST).  

Duration: Flexible. 

The internship may be undertaken either part-time (minimum 40% FTE or 15 hours per week) for at least one law school semester, or full-time for a period of three to six months. The fellowship may be extended beyond the initial three months term, up to a maximum of six months subject to funding and satisfactory performance. 

Start Date: September 2026 

Compensation: A reasonable stipend will be provided, subject to applicable local laws regulations. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who are

• Eligible for university academic credits or 

• Have secured or able to secure, external funding or grants for this internship. 

The final compensation package will be tailored to the successful candidate’s individual circumstances including their part-time or full-time status, student or recent graduate status, and any external funding available. We are happy to discuss the most appropriate arrangement during the interview process. 

Role and Responsibilities:

The Legal Fellow will provide support to LAW’s legal and advocacy initiatives for victims and survivors of international crimes and human rights violations, and will perform duties in accordance with the responsibilities outlined below:  

Research, Policy and Advocacy  

• Research questions of PIL, ICL and IHRL particularly linked to sexual and gender-based crimes and violations of women’s and girls’ rights. 

• Provide research and background inputs for preparation of public reports or policy briefs or other evidence-based advocacy and policy outputs. 

• Assist with high-level advocacy strategies and support engagements at the HRC, UNGA, ASP, and related forums. 

• Assist with logistics and content preparation for side events, briefings, and advocacy meetings. 

• Draft and edit material for legal information dissemination amongst victims and survivors, particularly on the status of the legal proceedings affecting them. 

• Support coordination and follow-up related to stakeholder engagements with Member States and other key actors in the accountability ecosystem.  

• Monitor relevant updates on requested areas of international law and policy developments, including outcomes from HRC, UNGA, and related processes. 

Programme Support, Partner Coordination, and Capacity-Building Support 

• Assist adaptation of existing training materials credible documentation of crimes and human rights violations, focussed on sexual and gender-based crimes. 

• Provide note-keeping and documentation support during capacity-building sessions. 

• Assist with documentation, note-taking, and knowledge management related to partner coordination. 

• Compile and synthesize information to strengthen joint advocacy and network engagement. 

• Support the drafting, and formatting of funding proposals and concept notes. 

• Support LAW in implementing the protection interventions for its clients, as directed. 

ABOUT YOU:   

• Law students enrolled in LLM/final year of undergraduate course, or recent law graduates who are able to commit to a full-time position for three to six months. 

• Background knowledge in International Law, specifically International Human Rights Law (IHRL) or International Criminal Law (ICL) is essential. 

• Fluency in English is essential.  

• Strong desk research and drafting skills. 

• Attention to detail and analytical ability. 

• Ability to work independently in a remote setting. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and strong technical literacy. 

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills. 

• Prior professional, volunteer experience in research, human rights initiatives, or non-profit work is preferred.  

• Prior experience on Afghanistan context is desirable. 

HOW TO APPLY 

If you are passionate about working in human rights, and learning about programme implementation aimed at securing international justice for mass atrocities and grave human rights violations, and keen to use your knowledge and skills to contribute towards international accountability, we would love to hear from you.

HR Bamboo Link to Apply: https://legalactionworldwide.bamboohr.com/careers/103

Deadline: We will review applications on a rolling basis.  

We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible, as applications may close once we have received a strong pool of candidates.

Application Instructions: Please submit your CV and a motivation letter of no more than one page, outlining your relevant academic, volunteer and/or professional experience, and explaining your interest in the internship.

In your motivation letter, please include detailed information on the following: 

• Financial Sponsorship or Course Credit: Clearly specify whether you have secured external funding or are seeking to collaborate with LAW to apply for funding or will be receiving academic credit through your law school. 

• Proposed Timing and Duration: Indicate your preferred start date, anticipated duration of the fellowship, and any flexibility you may have with these dates. 

Providing this information will help us assess your application more effectively. 

At LAW, we are strengthened by the diversity of our colleagues reflecting the people and communities that we represent and support. Our team includes many nationalities with diverse professional backgrounds, skills and knowledge. This enables us to deliver and understand the cultural and political contexts on the ground and to tailor our support effectively and appropriately.  

To learn more about LAW please visit our website: www.legalactionworldwide.org