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Job Title: Graduate Governance Fellow
Employer: Amnesty International South Africa
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Type: 12‑month Paid Fellowship

Overview:
Amnesty International is offering a prestigious Graduate Governance Fellowship for a young law graduate ready to launch a career in governance and human rights. This role provides a rare opportunity to work closely with Amnesty’s Board of Directors and Executive Director, contributing to research, policy formulation, document drafting, and governance initiatives. Over the 12 months, you will gain deep exposure to how a leading human rights NGO operates at a strategic and governance level.

Role Purpose:
As a Graduate Governance Fellow, you will support Amnesty’s governance architecture by researching, writing, and helping shape key policy documents. You will contribute to strategic discussions, support the Board’s decision-making, and help translate governance policies into actionable projects. You will also be involved in facilitating governance-related meetings, preparing minutes, and managing administrative governance tasks.

Also see ~ Exciting UN Career Opportunity for Programme Management Professionals

Key Responsibilities:

• Research and draft governance documents, board reports, and policy briefs for the Board of Directors.
• Provide analytical support on governance frameworks and help develop Amnesty’s institutional policies.
• Contribute to strategic governance discussions, including national and international policy positions.
• Assist in preparing agendas, minutes, and reports for Board meetings.
• Conduct legal and policy research on NGO governance, ethics, and accountability.
• Support advocacy and campaigning efforts by translating governance findings into actionable insight.
• Facilitate administrative tasks linked to governance, such as stakeholder coordination, governance workshops, and briefings.
• Work closely with the Executive Director and governance team on governance project planning and execution.

Learning and Development:

• Work directly with senior leadership and the Board — a high-level mentorship opportunity.
• Gain first-hand exposure to NGO governance processes, strategy development, and ethical policymaking.
• Strengthen your research, writing, and analytical policy skills in a real-world human rights context.
• Build a professional network across civil society, legal institutions, and governance entities.

Qualifications:

• Law degree (LL.B.) or equivalent.
• Some understanding of governance, public policy, or human rights is an advantage.
• Strong legal research and writing skills.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly and work both independently and in collaboration.
• Demonstrated interest in human rights, civil society, or non-profit governance.
• Willingness to commit to a 12-month fellowship and to engage fully in governance tasks.

Why This Role Matters:
This fellowship is more than a job it’s a chance to shape the future of a global human rights movement. You will contribute to critical governance decisions at Amnesty and help strengthen its capacity for accountability and good governance. The experience will uniquely position you for a future in policy, non-profit leadership, or civil society advocacy.

How to Apply:
Send your CV, a cover letter explaining why you want to join Amnesty International as a Governance Fellow, and a writing sample (such as a legal or policy paper) to their recruiting team. Be sure to highlight any previous experience or interest in human rights, governance, or non-profit work. email ~ za.hr@amnesty.org.za

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