Build practical skills for your human rights career

Develop a clearer career direction, create stronger applications and explore meaningful ways to use your experience in human rights work.

3 courses open
Self-paced courses Certificate included
Becoming a Human Rights Educator
Career path
9 lessons 6 hours Beginner
Tailoring Your CV to Human Rights Jobs
Applications
10 lessons 6 hours Beginner
Writing a Cover Letter for Human Rights Jobs
Applications
7 lessons 3-4 hours Beginner

Turn career guidance into practical action

Building a human rights career isn’t always straightforward. Job titles vary, career paths are rarely linear, and even strong experience does not always translate into a strong application. The Academy helps you navigate these challenges through practical activities, strategic guidance, and tools you can continue using beyond the course. Every course draws on experience gained at organizations like Amnesty International and the United Nations.

What’s included when you join?

The Academy provides focused courses and resources for people who want to begin, change or advance a career connected to human rights.

Interactive activities

Explore real-world scenarios, analyse job opportunities, reflect on your strengths and practise making the kinds of decisions human rights professionals and applicants face.

Career toolkits

Build useful materials as you learn, including a career profile, job-search resources, application drafts, personal reflections and downloadable workbooks.

Resources and templates

Access practical templates and supporting resources that help you apply what you learn to your own career, applications and professional development.

Human rights focus

Learn through examples, roles and situations drawn specifically from human rights work rather than relying on generic career advice that doesn’t apply to human rights work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the Human Rights Careers Academy for?

The Academy is for students, recent graduates, career changers, jobseekers and professionals who want to pursue or develop a career connected to human rights. You do not need previous employment in the sector. The courses help you work with the knowledge, experience and skills you already have.

Do I have to pay extra for each course?

No. Your membership includes access to all currently available Academy courses, activities, workbooks, templates and eligible certificates. Additional courses and resources will be introduced gradually as the Academy develops, with a focus on creating practical and substantial learning experiences rather than rapidly expanding the catalogue.

What will I learn?

The current courses focus on three practical areas. You can explore human rights education as a professional path, develop a more strategic and targeted CV, and prepare a tailored cover letter for a real human rights opportunity. Each course combines guidance with activities and materials you can apply to your own situation.

Will I receive a certificate?

Yes. You can receive a certificate after completing the requirements of an eligible course. The certificate confirms your participation and completion. The primary value of each course, however, is the knowledge, decisions and practical materials you develop while working through it.

What will I create during the courses?

You will create practical materials rather than only completing quizzes or watching lessons. Depending on the course, these may include a professional profile, job-search strategy, master CV, tailored cover-letter draft, skills assessment, personal workbook or career action plan. Many materials can be downloaded and refined after completing the course.

How are courses taught?

The courses are self-paced and interactive. You will work through concise explanations, realistic examples, community reflections, scenarios, quizzes and structured workbook activities. The emphasis is on actively applying what you learn rather than passively watching long video lectures.

Is the Academy suitable for career changers?

Yes. The courses help you identify transferable experience, explore roles that correspond with your professional level and explain how your existing background connects to human rights work. You will not be encouraged to disregard your previous career or automatically begin again at entry level.

Who creates the courses?

The Academy was created by Human Rights Careers founder Robert Fellner. Its courses draw on more than a decade of experience across human rights education, international organizations and civil society, including work with Amnesty International, the United Nations and other institutions.

Will this help me get a human rights job?

No course can guarantee employment. Recruitment decisions depend on your experience, location, qualifications, work authorization, languages and the roles available. The Academy is designed to help you make more informed career decisions, target suitable opportunities and present your experience with greater clarity and confidence.

When can I begin?

You can start immediately after joining and complete the courses at your own pace. You may follow the full course sequence or begin with the subject most relevant to your present situation, whether that is exploring a career path, improving your CV or preparing a cover letter.

How long will I have access?

You will retain access to the courses and membership resources for as long as your membership remains active. You can revisit lessons, continue developing your materials and complete any available courses during that period.

Do I need previous human rights experience?

No. Many people enter the human rights sector from different educational and professional backgrounds. The Academy is designed to help you identify transferable skills, understand where your experience fits, and present your profile more effectively.

Can I request a refund?

Yes. You can request a full refund of your initial membership payment within 14 calendar days of joining. You may begin the courses and explore the materials during this period. You do not need to provide a reason for requesting the refund.

Can I cancel my membership?

Yes. You can cancel at any time to prevent the next renewal. After cancellation, you will continue to have access until the end of your current paid membership period.