Int’l Legal Fellowship (Asia Program)

Department: International Advocacy & Litigation Team

Reporting to: Staff Attorney 

Full-time, Exempt

Location: Washington, DC (Hybrid – in office 2-3 days a week)

Funded Salary Minimum: $60,000 (covered by external source)

Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights is accepting applications for an externally funded position as an Asia Legal Fellow on the International Advocacy and Litigation Team, with a start date in Summer or Fall 2026. Applicants must be law students in their final year or recent law graduates seeking a fellowship host organization to sponsor their application for funding from a law school, foundation, or law firm for a postgraduate fellowship position. An applicant need not have secured funding before applying to RFKHR, provided that the applicant can propose specific funding sources that they plan to pursue in their cover letter.

We are accepting applications on a rolling basis with priority given to those submitted by January 5, 2026.

Department

Our team of lawyers and issue experts collaborate with partners around the world to create lasting legal change. Through legal advocacy, we have freed political prisoners, defended the rule of law in autocratic regimes, and amplified the voices of human rights defenders in the United States and abroad. We present the annual Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award, which recognizes a courageous individual whose activism reflects Robert F. Kennedy’s belief that every individual can make a difference. 

The Asia program works to expand civic space and promote accountability alongside local and international organizations and human rights defenders in South and Southeast Asia. From advocating for freedom of expression and the right to protest to an end to the use of torture, enforced disappearance, and arbitrary detention, our team supports international justice efforts, with a particular focus on countries including Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Cambodia.

Job Responsibilities

The job responsibilities of the Asia Legal Fellow may include the following:

• Conduct legal and factual research and draft memoranda on the human rights situation in priority countries in the region (e.g., Bangladesh, Myanmar, Cambodia, etc.) and on thematic issues (e.g., freedom of expression, international criminal law standards).
• Prepare documents in support of advocacy before the U.S. and foreign governments, international organizations, and U.N. special procedures to promote accountability and civic space in priority countries.
• Analyze proposed legislation and legal reforms in priority countries and develop recommendations in line with international standards.
• Prepare alternative reports for submission to U.N. treaty bodies (e.g. Human Rights Committee, Committee on Torture) or for the Universal Periodic Review.
• Prepare documents in support of litigation before international tribunals (e.g., United Nations Treaty Bodies), U.N. special procedures (e.g., Working Group on Arbitrary Detention), and/or an amicus brief filed in a domestic court in South or Southeast Asia.
• Help maintain and manage communication with clients, human rights defenders, and civil society partners around the world in support of joint litigation and advocacy;
• Attend and report on briefings, Congressional hearings, symposia, and other meetings;
• Monitor sources of information on countries and issues of concern to Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights and collect, organize, and analyze relevant research;
• Work closely with programmatic staff to develop long-term strategies, legal actions, and advocacy campaigns;
• Provide administrative support to Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights staff on an as-needed basis;
• Do your part in keeping our operations running smoothly – tracking your hours and submitting timecards in a timely manner.

A successful candidate must have the following skills and experiences:

• A Juris Doctorate (J.D.), J.D. equivalent, or LL.M. degree is required;
• Ability to work in-person at least 2-3 days a week in RFKHR’s Washington, DC office;
• Ability to obtain outside funding to cover the costs of the fellowship;
• Authorization to work in the United States;
• A demonstrated commitment to human rights and justice;
• Exceptional analytical skills and an ability to write and speak clearly and persuasively;
• Strong fact-finding, legal research, writing, and editing skills;
• Self-motivated with the ability to take initiative and follow through on projects to completion;
• Previous experience with international human rights advocacy and/or litigation (e.g. with United Nations treaty bodies);
• Strong attention to detail and ability to scope out errors, including a willingness to own and fix mistakes;
• Exceptional time management, including the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects at once;
• Innovative thinking, willingness to voice your opinions, and a strong work ethic are essential;
• Strong sense of teamwork that builds positive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders and a willingness to help others;
• Belief in inclusivity when working with colleagues with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives; and 
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a small team. 

Preferred but not required qualifications:

• Fluency in a language in addition to English spoken in our regional priority countries (e.g., Bengali, Burmese, etc.) is a plus but not required. 
• Experience working in South or Southeast Asia is preferred but not required.

Fellowship Funding:

This is an externally funded fellowship for which RFKHR will serve as the sponsoring organization. The applicant must have the ability to secure outside funding to cover, at a minimum, a salary of $60,000 (gross). Funding may also fully cover or subsidize the cost of full-time benefits (equates to a minimum additional cost of $24,600). An applicant need not have secured funding before applying to RFKHR, provided that the applicant can propose specific sources of funding that they plan to pursue in their cover letter. As a host organization, RFKHR may apply jointly with a successful applicant for sources of fellowship funding.

Benefits and other Perks:

• RFKHR values your growth: This fellowship provides the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from experienced human rights lawyers on our team, participate in strategy meetings, attend human rights events in DC, and connect to our vast network in the field of international human rights law and advocacy. 
• RFKHR loves to celebrate human rights advocates and our hard work! We do so by hosting award ceremonies, galas, summer outings, holiday parties, potlucks, domestic and international staff retreats, and spur-of-the-moment social outings, which our fellows are invited to participate in.

How to Apply:

• Submit your resume, cover letter, law school transcript (official or unofficial), a list of at least three references, and a 5-10 page writing sample, preferably on international human rights law, to fellowships@rfkhumanrights.org with “Your Name + Asia Legal Fellow” in the subject heading.
• In your cover letter, please include how you heard about this role and why you’re interested in this position. Applicants should also identify potential or secured funding sources in their cover letter.

No phone calls, please. RFK Human Rights will contact qualified candidates directly. 

Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights is an equal opportunity employer and believes we are stronger and more effective by working internally and externally with people of all abilities, diverse backgrounds, and a range of perspectives, particularly those who have historically been marginalized or underrepresented. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for this position without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We do not discriminate in our hiring practices and in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seek a diverse applicant pool. If you’re in need of an accommodation at any time during the application and hiring process please contact us by emailing your request to hr@rfkhumanrights.org with the subj. line “Accommodation Request”. Examples include, but are not limited to:

Having interviews in a more accessible location/format

Having documents in alternate formats or read aloud