Front Line Defenders seeks to recruit staff, interns and volunteers in an open and transparent manner. Front Line Defenders is an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to promoting cultural diversity within the Front Line Defenders staff. All positions are advertised via this website as well as through other media or networks appropriate to the position being advertised.
Unfortunately, due to the volume of requests we receive, it is not possible to keep general applications or CVs on file. During a recruitment process we do not generally review applications received until after the closing date. Shortlisting can take some time given the volume of applications we receive for some posts.
For any questions or queries, or if you require any adjustments or accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact recruitment@frontlinedefenders.org. Please note applications submitted by email cannot be accepted.
Front Line Defenders is currently recruiting for the following positions:
Digital Protection Coordinator – Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Front Line Defenders are recruiting a Digital Protection Coordinator – Eastern Europe and Central Asia to join our team. This is a permanent role based remotely in the EECA region. The role will report to the Head of Digital Protection/ Digital Protection Manager
Overview
Front Line Defenders (FLD) is working to expand its capacity to support Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) and Human Rights Organisations (HROs) in managing risks associated with the use of digital information and communications. We offer direct on the ground support to HRDs/HROs with the help of a team of Digital Protection Coordinators and Consultants (DPC). FLD is headquartered in Ireland but we are seeking to hire a candidate for a staff role who is based in the EECA region, to deliver direct digital protection support to HRDs/HROs at risk.
Background
Front Line Defenders is an international organisation based in Ireland that works exclusively for the protection of human rights defenders at risk. Human rights defenders are people who are persecuted because of their peaceful work for the rights of others. Front Line Defenders provides practical help through protection grants, physical and digital protection training, lobbying, advocacy and campaigning.
Role responsibilities
Key duties include:
- Provide direct, effective, timely (when possible) in-person one-to-one and group digital protection support to selected HRDs/HROs.
- Actively research on digital protection situation of HRDs/HROs in the region. Evaluate the situation of risk, changes and new trends.
- Propose HRDs/HROs at risk for our support. Assist relevant regional Protection Coordinator in prioritisation of those HRDs/HROs who are most at risk and in deciding who we would deliver support to.
- Analyse and assess the specific digital protection risks, vulnerabilities and capacities of the HRDs/HROs receiving or due to receive support. Collect data from multiple sources to inform support and training needs to understand HRDs/HROs digital protection weaknesses, missing and valuable resources, map the information, communication, devices, services/servers used landscape.
- Use above information to structure, in interactive cooperation with specific HRDs/HROs a support or training curriculum for constantly changing contexts, risks, and needs. Draft specific support plan or training content. Liaise with FLD colleagues to support the development of plans and curricula to meet bespoke HRDs/HROs needs.
- Provide direct, effective, timely (when possible) in-person one-to-one and group digital protection support to selected HRDs/HROs. Promote and coordinate the delivery of support. Organise and deliver support process starting with awareness raising of risks and potential mitigation, coming up with a plan to implement solutions with HRD/HRO and help carry out this plan which includes training, workshops, meetings, sessions to help facilitate learning, advice on acquiring specific hardware or services and direct support practical implementation of solutions that include learning, changing habits and the installation, configuration and use of tools in daily work.
- Help find local trainers and champions to assist in delivery of the support and the continuation of the process and maximise its effectiveness.
- Help create and maintain an up to date library of written guides for human rights defenders as learning material and to highlight risks and how best to mitigate them. Assist in creating materials for Security in-a-Box and other guides.
- Follow up each engagement after a certain period of time (4-6 weeks) to understand how the implementation of solutions is going and to help further in the sustainability of the approach used.
- Mentor local champions and trainers so they can continue supporting HRDs/HROs at risk and in need.
- Engage directly with HRDs to clarify misunderstandings they may have about digital protection, walking them through various processes, providing a listening ear and seeking to reduce their stress through provision of expert advice
For further information, please view:
https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/sites/default/files/20260527_dpc_eeca_-_jd_0.pdf
Salary & Benefits
- €36,241 - €66,700 per annum
- 26 annual leave days
- Pension
- Paid Health Insurance
- Income Protection & Life Assurance
- Employee Assistance Scheme (EAP)
- Monthly Well-Being Provisions
Requirements
Interested applicants must have:
- Minimum 3 years experience in digital protection support.
- Minimum 1 year of experience of working with HRD/HRO in the respective region.
- Provided digital protection support and training for individual, group and organisations.
- IT problem solving in all major operating system (Windows, Mac, Android and iOS).
- Participation in national and international IT conferences.
- Prior experience in working with HRDs/HROs in the EECA region.
- Demonstrable and verifiable experience in providing digital security support (technical and conceptual) to HRDs/HROs in EECA in general;
- Interest and aptitude in information technology.
- Understanding administration of different operating systems for both computers and phones.
- Understanding of securing computers, phones and networking on the level of computer and network administrators.
- Very good ICT skills, on the level of computer and network administrators -understanding technical concepts and also practical hands-on knowledge of how to manage devices, programs and services;
- Demonstrable and verifiable skills in device administration covering different computer and mobile operating systems; experience in computer and device security configurations is a required skill;
- Understanding of online services including email and social media platforms.
- Understanding of information and communication technology risks.
- Strong understanding of the human rights context in the region of work and prior good experience in working with HRDs/HROs in the region.
- Resourcefulness to be able to respond in cases of emergencies
- Ability to formulate and conduct training and other learning processes in an accessible manner.
- Demonstrable and verifiable experience in conducting digital protection support and trainings for HRDs/HROs, from needs and risk assessment, agenda development and evaluation;
- Proven ability to train and coach adults in digital security.
- Ability to simplify complex technical terminologies into simple human understandable terms.
- Ability to work independently the majority of the time.
- Fluency in English and Russian, and working knowledge of one of the EECA regional languages such as Kazakh, Georgian, Ukrainian, Kyrgyz, Armenian, Tajik, Uzbek, or Belarusian
- Must be based in EECA, and be able to travel within the region;
- Previous good experience with individual, group and organisations digital protection support and training.
Closing Date
Applicants must submit their applications (CV & cover letter) by 4pm (local Irish time) on Wednesday, 01 July 2026 via the ‘Apply Now’ button as per FLD vacancies page: https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/recruitment-volunteering
Head of Protection Grants
Front Line Defenders are recruiting a Head of Protection Grants to join our team. This is a permanent role based in Dublin reporting to the Director of Protection Grants and Consortium Engagement.
Overview
The purpose of the Protection Grants team is to provide fast, flexible and effective responses to the protection needs of HRDs at immediate risk who are requesting practical security measures such as legal support, medical support, emergency relocation support and other expressed needs for themselves and their families, organisations and movements. The team consists of Director of Protection Grants and regional and thematic Protection Grants Coordinators.
The Head of Protection Grants will be a leader who can balance the urgent needs of human rights defenders with the rigorous demands of donor compliance and financial management. Providing management and leadership to the Protection Grants team, ensuring the development and delivery of an operational and strategic plan that aligns with Front Line Defenders' core values, policies, and procedures. This role will be responsible for financial stewardship, overseeing the protection grants budget, expenditure monitoring, and resource allocation to ensure fiscal integrity and donor compliance. The role requires overseeing the protection grants components of audits to guarantee that all grant disbursements comply with organisational procedures and relevant donor compliance rules, internal governance standards, and safeguarding protocols.
Background
Front Line Defenders is an international organisation based in Ireland that works exclusively for the protection of human rights defenders at risk. Human rights defenders are people who are persecuted because of their peaceful work for the rights of others. Front Line Defenders provides practical help through protection grants, physical and digital protection training, lobbying, advocacy and campaigning.
Role responsibilities
Key duties include:
- Daily coordination of protection grants team to ensure timely delivery of protection grants.
- Ensuring adherence to FLD processes and procedures in relation to assessment and verification of incoming grant applications from Front Line Defenders, mandate eligibility and mentioned threats/ risks.
- Support coordination between Grants Coordinators and regional teams and protection programmes.
- Work with the Heads of Regions to ensure shared oversight and learning across the region’s protection programming.
- Management of protection grants programme budget and commitments to donors.
- Liaison with development and finance teams on budget spend, allocation and audits.
- Management of a fluid grant portfolio to integrate new donor streams, ensuring alignment with evolving funding agreements while maintaining strict fiscal oversight and 12-month budget management.
- Reporting on protection grant spend per donor.
- Managing and ensuring complete and accurate recording of all protection grants activity in the FLD database.
- Design and implement robust cross-referencing protocols to systematically reconcile data between the grants management database and financial accounting systems, ensuring alignment and eliminating discrepancies for balanced records.
- Compiling trend analysis as required.
- Nurturing an inclusive, values-driven, supportive organisational culture with a focus on delivering impact for human rights defenders in line with the organisation’s mission;
- Contributing to the effective collective management of the organisation, under the guidance of the Directors, through developing and communicating common policies, procedures and management approaches, and supporting relationship building, problem solving and effective cooperation across teams;
- Providing leadership and strategic guidance on well-being, learning, staff development, effective communications and ensuring the organisation’s vision, mission, ethos and values are widely known and embedded within the team.
- Leading the team to develop team objectives and plans to support the delivery of FLD’s strategic plan in accordance with organisational procedures and policies. Ensuring that all team and programme responsibilities, deliverables and reporting requirements are met within the approved budget and agreed time frames.
- Supporting the implementation of organisational systems, procedures and policies to support the efficient functioning of the organisation.
- Championing best practice with regards to health and safety and safeguarding.
- With support from the Human Resources team and the Director of Protection Grants ensure successful recruitment, induction, appraisals, development, retention and security and well-being of the protection grants team.
For further information, please view:
https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/sites/default/files/head_of_protection_grants_jd_june_2026.pdf
Salary & Benefits
- €73,327 - €91,382 per annum
- 26 annual leave days
- Pension
- Paid Health Insurance
- Income Protection & Life Assurance
- Employee Assistance Scheme (EAP)
- Monthly Well-Being Provisions
Requirements
Interested applicants must have:
- At least 10 years’ experience working at a senior level in the protection of human rights defenders, or equivalent experience in a human-rights based organisation in a leadership role.
- Experience of working in an international context in the protection of human rights and/or human rights defenders, ideally within an international or regional human rights organisation.
- Significant management experience in a relevant field, people management, staff well-being, strategic planning, and evaluation.
- Experience of building and working effectively with teams of people from diverse professional and/or cultural backgrounds, including managing remote staff and working across multiple time zones, especially in emergency settings.
- Experience of managing budgets and delivering organisational objectives, including fundraising experience.
- Experience of driving innovation and developing programming in a relevant field
- Experience with managing collaborative projects inside organisations and with external partners.
- Experience working with spreadsheets, databases and other information management tools.
- Fluency (written & oral) in English.
- Comprehensive knowledge of key human rights trends and their impact on human rights defenders and their movements; ability to demonstrate a nuanced understanding of contexts in which local HRD communities operate and protection principles applied;
- Familiarity with internal audit processes, external audit requirements, and risk management frameworks specifically tailored to the non-profit sector;
- Proficiency in tracking expenditures against budgets, identifying variances, and implementing corrective actions to ensure fiscal integrity;
- Ability to lead the team through emerging and protracted country crises, making difficult decisions under pressure while adhering to compliance standards.
- Ability to work well with a wide range of people from different cultures, backgrounds and experiences, with empathy and clear boundaries, including when unfavourable decisions need to be delivered to applicants;
- Proven ability to work in fast paced environment handling emergencies
- Master’s degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent.
- Demonstrated strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify and resolve potential issues before they arise.
- Sound decision making, particularly in high-pressure and high-risk situations.
- Ability to supervise, mentor, and provide guidance to a diverse team, some HQ based and some remote, while contributing effectively within multi-level team environments.
- Capacity to plan, prioritise and manage multiple, sometimes competing demands efficiently in a challenging, fast-paced environment.
- Strong organisational skills including an ability to prioritise initiatives across several countries in multiple time zones.
Closing Date
Applicants must submit their applications (CV & cover letter) by 4pm (local Irish time) on Wednesday, 1st July 2026 via the ‘Apply Now’ button as per FLD vacancies page: https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/recruitment-volunteering.
It is anticipated first round interviews will be held on 6th and 7th July 2026
Consultancies and tenders
None at the present time.
Fellowships and internships
Front Line Defenders annually recruits for two positions that are part of the organisation's commitment to strengthening international mechanisms supporting human rights defenders:
Internship at the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (Banjul)
Front Line Defenders and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) invite applications for an Internship at the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights to support the work of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and Focal Point on Reprisals in Africa. It is a 12-month position based in Banjul, under the supervision of the ACHPR Secretariat. Candidates should be able to work in both English and French. Candidates who have experience as a HumanRights Defender in Africa will be prioritised.
Frank Jennings Fellowship (Dublin & Geneva)
The Frank Jennings Fellowship was set up to give an opportunity for dedicated and talented individuals to gain experience working for the protection of human rights defenders in an international NGO and at the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. It is named after Front Line Defenders former Head of Research who died after a long illness in 2005. Frank made a huge contribution to the development of human rights activism in Ireland and candidates who have some experience of human rights work in Ireland will be given priority.
The Frank Jennings Fellow spends three months at Front Line Defenders where he/she will be trained in relation to Human Rights Defenders; the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders; the Mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur; the procedures and methodology of the mandate; the role of Front Line Defenders and other national and international organisations in the support and protection of Human Rights Defenders. The Fellow will then move to Geneva for a period six months before returning to Front Line Defenders for a further three months.
Volunteering at Front Line Defenders
We greatly appreciate the valuable contribution of volunteers who support the work of Front Line Defenders.
The best way to get involved is to help Front Line Defenders raise awareness about the risks faced by human rights defenders around the world and to help raise much needed funds to increase their security and protection.
When human rights defenders visit Ireland on rest & respite, it is important to provide a network of support to them. This community of support includes volunteers interested in accompanying the human rights defender sightseeing, to music and cultural activities, sharing about Irish history and current affairs or other hobbies/activities that may be of interest. Language support is especially useful to visiting human rights defenders. The working languages of Front Line Defenders are English, French, Spanish, Arabic and Russian but sometimes we also need support with other languages.
If specific additional volunteering opportunities arise, they will be posted here.
