Political Regime Research Fellow - Africa

The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) is looking for a Political Regime Research Fellow for the Sub-Saharan Africa region. This fellowship will run for six months initially, with the possibility of extension. 

About the Human Rights Foundation:

The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that promotes and protects human rights globally, with a focus on closed societies. HRF is one of the few international organizations that focuses exclusively on promoting human rights in authoritarian regimes. 

Through our Political Regime or “Tyranny Tracker” research, we are able to focus our resources on more than 90 countries ruled by authoritarian regimes — countries whose regimes systematically deny their citizens meaningful electoral competition, basic political freedoms, and an independent judiciary willing and capable of checking the regime’s ability to repress basic democratic freedoms. 

About the Position:

The Political Regime Research Fellow for the Africa region will contribute to a long-term research project that monitors and analyzes political freedom in 206 countries and territories in the world. The research project supports HRF’s mission statement of promoting and protecting human rights globally, with a focus on closed societies. 

The Research Fellow will be asked to research and prepare a summary analysis and full report on political freedom conditions in the countries in the African region (excluding North Africa). Using our checklist of indicators on electoral competition, freedom of dissent, and judicial independence, the Research Fellow will be expected to analyze and assess as to why a given country should be classified as democratic, hybrid authoritarian, or fully authoritarian. The Research Fellow will work with members of HRF's Legal and Policy Team and Regional Experts.

Skills & Requirements:

• Prior experience in or knowledge of international relations or affairs, political science, human rights, or international or comparative law (Required)
• Strong research, analytical, and writing skills (Required)
• Relevant regional knowledge of the Sub-Saharan Africa region (Required)
• Knowledge of French (Required)
• Passionate about research and writing
• Detail-oriented and self-motivated
• Able to work well in a collaborative environment, as well as independently
• A strong affinity for HRF's mission statement
• Knowledge of Portuguese is a plus
• Prior experience in the democratization field or knowledge of democratization literature is a plus
• This position can be conducted remotely from anywhere in the world. Internet access is required

Time commitment: 40 hours/week. 

Stipend: $2,500/month for full-time.

To apply: Please send us your resume, a cover letter, and two brief writing samples (maximum of 5 pages each) by June 7, 2024.