[Hiring] Corporate Legal Accountability Fellow @Business & Human Rights Resource Centre

Role Description

This opportunity is specific to the Columbia Human Rights Graduate Fellowship Program. External applicants will not be considered.

The Business and Human Rights Centre (BHRC) team is seeking an enthusiastic, reliable lawyer committed to human rights to join its Corporate Legal Accountability (CLA) Programme for one year. This fellowship offers a unique opportunity to support communities, advocates and lawyers seeking access to remedy, contribute to cutting-edge research and advocacy on corporate accountability, and help expand the only global information hub on corporate legal accountability.

Through the CLA Programme, BHRC tracks strategic lawsuits against companies over alleged human rights abuses and monitors legislative developments that can help strengthen corporate accountability. The fellow will carry out research, develop advocacy tools, and contribute to influencing strategies aligned with BHRC’s strategic plan, helping lawyers and legal advocates enhance communities’ access to legal remedy.

What you will work on

• Just energy transition litigation: Support the development of BHRC’s flagship emerging just energy transition litigation portfolio, including:
  • Contributing to the strategic vision of the project.
  • Researching new cases for the Just Transition Litigation Tracking Tool.
  • Supporting the related yearly analysis.
  • Liaising with partners.
• UN legally binding instrument: Support BHRC’s advocacy on the UN legally binding instrument to regulate transnational corporations and other companies with respect to human rights, including:
  • Helping to organise webinars.
  • Liaising with experts and partners for the “Debate the treaty” blog series.
  • Monitoring the UN Intergovernmental Working Group session.
  • Contributing to Daily Updates summarising key takeaways of the session.
• Strategic litigation database: Research legal information and draft or update lawsuit profiles for BHRC’s database of 300+ global cases brought against companies over alleged human rights abuses.
• Strategic Litigation Network: Support the development of a Strategic Litigation Network in Africa, building on BHRC’s network in Latin America.
• Regular programme outputs: Draft and develop CLA Programme publications, including the Quarterly Update.

Learning opportunities and professional development

As a fellow, you will gain practical experience in an international NGO and become an integral member of a diverse and international team. You will strengthen your legal research and analytical skills while supporting lawyers and communities seeking greater accountability for business-related human rights abuses. You will also learn from colleagues across the world, deepen your knowledge of the business and human rights field, and have opportunities to liaise with civil society, lawyers and other key stakeholders working on corporate legal accountability globally.

Throughout the fellowship, you will have the opportunity to publish research on BHRC’s website, access BHRC’s data, and gain experience using internet-based publication tools such as Mailchimp and the Wagtail content management system.

Working environment

BHRC offers a fully remote working environment, with regular contact via Microsoft Teams. As a global organisation, BHRC works with colleagues around the world on a daily basis, creating a truly international workplace. If you are already based in London or Berlin and have the right to work in the UK or Germany, there may be opportunities to work from one of BHRC’s offices.

You will work closely with your direct supervisor based in France, and with the Director of International Programmes based in South Africa as well as colleagues across BHRC's global network.

Eligibility criteria

• Currently enrolled in, or recently completed (class of 2025 or 2026, depending on the fellowship), a postgraduate legal degree (LLM/JD or similar) from Columbia Law School.
• Secure funding from the Columbia Fellowship Program.
• Demonstrated academic or professional experience carrying out international and/or multi-jurisdictional legal research, analysis and summarising information.
• Interest in and commitment to promoting human rights, especially business and human rights.
• Excellent English language skills, including reading, writing and speaking. Fluency in another language, such as French, Spanish, Arabic or Russian, is a plus.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, work independently and exercise sound judgement in a remote working environment.

Application timeline

• Application deadline: 15 November 2026, close of business EST.
• Interviews are planned for mid to late November.

How to apply

Please submit your CV, cover letter and writing sample via the Bamboo HR portal. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate how their academic, professional or lived experience has informed their commitment to corporate accountability and human rights. If you need additional support, please contact Asha Gill at [email protected].