Global Witness Advocacy Training Programme
About us
Our vision is simple: we want a better world – where corruption is challenged and accountability prevails, all can thrive within the planet’s boundaries, and governments act in the public interest.
At Global Witness we investigate and campaign to stop human rights and environmental abuses caused by corruption and the exploitation of natural resources.
About the Training Scheme
It has been identified that individuals from black and minority ethnic communities are under-represented in our organisation and our sector. To address this under-representation, and to encourage and enable those from black and ethnic minority backgrounds to participate in this sector, the Global Witness Advocacy Training Programme is a scheme aimed at black and minority ethnic graduates who have graduated (first degree or post-graduate) in the last 18 months and who have a strong interest in pursuing a career in human rights, advocacy, or international development.
The programme is a 4 month training scheme designed to equiptwoparticipants with the relevant skills to work in our sector. We are flexible with start dates and you can begin the scheme anytime in June or July for 4 months.
The programme does not guarantee employment with Global Witness after the scheme is completed.
The successful participants will receive a training bursary and expenses for public transport travel up to a maximum of £80 per week from their home to zone 1 for the duration of the programme.
About you
Naturally, you’ll have a passion for driving change in the world combined with a lively curiosity and a real desire to learn.
The programme runs for up to 35 hours per week, although we can be flexible and part time attendance may be possible to accommodate individual circumstances.
You’ll be based in our East London office (nearest tube stations: Aldgate, Aldgate East and Tower Hill)
What you’ll learn
During the programme you’ll gain skills, knowledge and experience in many areas including:
- Learning about:
- Undertaking advocacy and investigations
- Research approaches and techniques to support a campaign
- Drafting campaign material including policy documents and press releases for a variety of audiences
- Developing campaign strategies and messages
- Shadowing others in the lobbying of and negotiations with a broad range of stakeholders including governments, inter-governmental bodies, legislators and companies
You’ll also have opportunities to see how our organisation works together to decide its strategy and priorities by observing activities such as our annual planning week.
You’ll be allocated a supervisor who’ll regularly review how you’re getting on and provide opportunities to maximise your learning and experience with us.
You’ll be given a mentor from the senior management team who will meet with you regularly; providing advice, knowledge and support about our organisation and the sector in general.
You’ll also spend time with our CEO to get a better understanding of what it takes to be successful in our sector.
You’ll receive plenty of opportunities to receive training to develop your skills and knowledge, from attending our frequent brown-bag lunches or workshops delivered by internal or external parties.
Finally, you’ll receive extensive skills coaching and careers advice and you will leave the programme better prepared to find the right job and launch your career in our sector.
Applying for the scheme
Applications will open on 12 January and close on 17 February 2017. Interviews will take place in March.
Please send in your application as a PDF document to with answers to the following questions in no more than 750 words (in total) to
- Why you’re applying for the scheme and what you hope to get out of your time with us
- Any relevant experience to support your application
- Based on what you know about Global Witness, name a campaign you think we should be running which will support us in achieving our vision and mission. You should include targets of the campaign and the outcomes the campaign will achieve. For inspiration, check out recent examples of our campaigns at
Don’t forget to include details in your covering email of how we can get in touch with you.