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:
Seek
Expressions of Interest:
Institutional Grant Manager
Front Line Defenders is seeking expressions of interest from exceptional candidates for the post of Institutional Grant Manager. This permanent role will be based in either the Dublin or Brussels office and will report to the Director of Development.
Overview
The Institutional Grants Manager leads Front Line Defenders’ established process of engagement with its consortium of private and institutional donors based throughout Europe, North America and elsewhere. This includes responsibility for reporting, relationship management and identifying new funding opportunities.
Background
Front Line Defenders is an international organization 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
- Daily oversight and management of the organization’s funding portfolio of circa 40 funding partners.
- The provision of timely narrative & financial reporting of excellent quality.
- Drafting programme and project-based proposals to current and prospective donors, in coordination with relevant colleagues and possible partner organizations.
- Identify and lead on responding to calls for proposals and funding opportunities.
- Ongoing trends mapping and analysis to ensure Front Line Defenders donor intelligence is up to date, including identifying potential new donors and establishing a funding relationship.
- Ongoing engagement with established institutional funding partners which include Government Ministries and private foundations based throughout Europe, the US and elsewhere. This includes direct engagement with donor representatives to ensure that each donor is kept aware of developments and achievement of Front Line Defenders, and the context in which human rights defenders are operating.
- Representing Front Line Defenders at meetings, conferences, events, networking opportunities, and seminars as required, including with a view to build the network of fundraising contracts and targets.
Salary & Benefits
- €52,000 - €66,000 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 of 4 years of work experience in development, fundraising, and/or grantmaking in civil society, philanthropy and/or government settings
- Demonstrable experience in engaging with private donors, such as foundations, corporations, and high-net worth individuals.
- Experience in project and budget management
- Knowledge of funding mechanisms of key donors in the sector
- Gook knowledge of human rights and/or development issues, and of the human rights space.
- Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree preferred;
- Excellent written and verbal knowledge of English is essential. Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively in written and oral forms.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills and excellent representational skills.
- Ability to work as both a key member of a team as well as working proactively alone.
- Ability to work to tight deadlines
- Ability to thrive in a high pressure supported environment.
For further information, please view https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/sites/default/files/institutional_grants_manager_jd_.2026.pdf
Closing Date
Applicants must submit their applications (CV & cover letter) by 5pm on Tuesday, 3rd February 2026 via the ‘Apply Now’ button as per FLD vacancies page: https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/recruitment-volunteering
Middle East Protection Coordinator
Location: Remote/Based in Middle East
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Reporting to: Protection Manager
Salary: Grade F
About the role
Front Line Defenders is recruiting an Middle East Protection Coordinator to support the Protection Team’s response to human rights defenders (HRDs) at risk in the Middle East. The Protection Team is primarily responsible for undertaking rapid advocacy actions and directing, coordinating and supporting the various holistic protection responses via close collaboration with the various FLD teams, as well as local, regional, and international organisations.
The Protection Coordinator (PC) will lead timely and appropriate response to human rights defenders at risk in Middle East, ensuring holistic and effective protection support is provided. The PC is responsible for maintaining and developing Front Line Defenders’ contacts and relationships with human rights defenders in the region, providing rapid response to cases of human rights defenders at immediate risk, identifying research materials to take action in their support, and inputting into all other programmes and activities specific to the countries assigned.
This role requires solid knowledge of key human rights trends in the region and their impact on human rights defenders and their movements. They will have the ability deliver accurate and objective written information in a high pressure environment and to work well with a wide range of people from different cultures, backgrounds and experiences, with empathy and clear boundaries.
For more information, please view https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/sites/default/files/protection_coordinator_-_middle_east_jd.pdf
About Front Line Defenders
Front Line Defenders is an international organisation/charity 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 help through protection grants, physical and digital protection training, lobbying, advocacy and campaigning. For more information, please visit www.frontlinedefenders.org
To Apply
- To apply, candidates need to submit a copy of their application via the 'Apply now' button;
- Closing date; midnight (local Irish time) on Monday, 19th January 2026 as per FLD vacancies page: https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/recruitment-volunteering
Director / Head of Secretariat, ProtectDefenders.eu More info
Posted 24 December, 2025
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.
