Global Fellowships

Global Fellowships are designed to give working professionals an opportunity to serve in one of our field offices. Fellows participate in the work of protecting the rights of those subject to violent forms of oppression and human rights abuses.

International Fellows gain practical experience by working at an IJM Field Office that advocates for clients in cases of sex trafficking, slavery, unprosecuted rape, illegal detention, police brutality, illegal land seizure and citizenship rights.

Fellows work with IJM field office staff in areas such as legal advocacy and training; aftercare coordination and counseling; business relations, community relations, project management and other special projects. The offices range in size from approximately 10 to 60 employees, providing professional experience and full exposure to the frontlines of international human rights work.

Each office is led by an IJM Field Office Director experienced in human rights law, Christian leadership and office management. While the majority of IJM field office staff are nationals of the country where the office is located, each office also has staff, interns and fellows from around the globe.

Field office fellows must have graduated from an undergraduate university and often require a graduate degree. Field office fellowships are designed for experienced professionals who have had two to three years in their field of expertise.

IJM requires all fellows and interns to possess a mature orthodox Christian faith as defined by the Apostles' Creed.

IJM conducts business in English at all field offices, except those located in Latin America. Candidates who desire to work with the IJM staff in Guatemala or Bolivia must be fluent, or near fluent, in Spanish.

Candidates selected for an assignment are subject to a security background check prior to deployment.

The program begins with a required week of orientation held at IJM headquarters in Washington, D.C. Sessions are led by IJM's senior leadership and staff. During this time, attendees learn about IJM's history, spiritual foundations, corporate philosophies, legal and investigative strategies and current global operations.

Selected candidates deploy to their field office assignment within three weeks after IJM|Orientation, depending on the needs of the office. Later deployments may also be possible, but are granted on a very limited and exceptional basis.

Fellowships require a 12 month commitment.

IJM staff will assist fellows secure suitable housing near the field office. As fellows arrive in their assigned country, an IJM staff member will meet them at the airport and help them adjust to a new culture. Although fellows go through security training with IJM investigators before they are deployed to their international assignment, IJM encourages applicants to be cognizant of the inherent risks of traveling and living in the developing world.

All fellowship positions are unpaid. Fellows have been successful in fundraising for the majority of their expenses through their church and individual supporters.

Fellows are responsible for all costs involved in their assignment. These costs include:

• Travel and lodging in Washington, D.C. for IJM|Orientation;
• Health insurance and required vaccinations;
• Passport, visa and work permit fees;
• Travel to overseas assignment;
• General monthly living expenses while on assignment;
• Any other general living and entertainment expenses.

Below are examples of monthly expenses reported by past participants. The costs are for basic expenses only and do not include additional expenses most people incur such as personal travel, phone, internet, toiletries and perhaps apartment furnishings.