Catalyst for Change Fellowship Program (India)

The Fellows will have an unparalleled opportunity to spend twenty-four months gaining both academic, legal and field experience working in the areas of migration, women’s rights, protection of displaced communities, and being part of a movement to build an inclusive and responsive legal protection landscape through a rule of law-focused approach.

The position will be a unique opportunity for a highly motivated candidate to raise awareness around issues related to forced migration and displacement, gain an in-depth understanding of programmes, engage with domestic and international experts, and, most importantly, interact with the migrant and displaced communities in South Asia. The Fellows may be placed in any of MAP’s three primary programmes – support for survivor of sexual & gender-based violence, legal empowerment of migrant workers, and direct assistance to displaced communities.

The Fellows will have the rare chance to use core human rights and international law principles to directly impact the lives of their clients. Over the course of the Programme, the Fellows will be trained to effectively leverage the law as a tool to protect the rights of displaced populations, contribute to ongoing advocacy, litigation, and policymaking efforts and undertake path breaking research in the field. Fellows will also have the opportunity to engage with MAP’s key partners and collaborators, which includes UN agencies, civil society organisations, and state institutions.

The CFC Fellowship can be used as a springboard towards a wide range of academic and professional opportunities in the future. MAP’s alumni have gone on to pursue careers in the development sector including in within the UN system and graduate degrees, other prestigious academic fellowships and PhDs.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide legal aid and representation to migrant and displaced populations in India;
• Engage with the target communities through trainings, meetings and other events to spread awareness on their legal rights and their access to justice;
• Assist in operationalising community legal desks in identified settlements to conduct in-takes and provide individualized assistance to vulnerable clients;
• Conduct trauma-informed interviews with potential clients to identify protection needs, prepare legal/supporting documentation, and perform such other tasks related to casework;
• Engage in programme-based research, policy and advocacy;
• Assist in strengthening MAP’s community-based networks comprising of Paralegal Volunteers, ASHAs, NGOs, community leaders etc., and coordinate their grassroots interventions;
• Assist in maintaining office databases and drafting office correspondence; and
• Such other activities, which are required to meet MAP’s goals.

Funding Information

• Monthly Stipend: INR 60,000 (subject to applicable TDS) along with other benefits.
• Fellows are provided a modest allowance towards health insurance.
• Duration: Up to 24 months.

Geographical Focus

• Fellows will be based in New Delhi.

Eligibility Criteria

• MAP is looking for applicants who are graduates of law or other related fields, with 0-2 years of experience. Candidates must have a deep commitment towards human rights and access to justice issues. Candidates must be motivated to work with migrant and displaced communities, be empathetic in their interactions and effectively communicate with the community. Candidates must be familiar and/ or willing to learn digital tools like Slack, GSuite, etc.

For more information, visit Migration & Asylum Project.