Are you passionate about Human Rights? Do you want to help improve the realisation of Human Rights for everyone in Scotland? Do you have the skills, values, experience and expertise to help make that happen? If so, please take a look at our opportunities below. This page is updated regularly.
Who we are
The Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) is Scotland’s human rights watchdog.
We are an independent, expert body that works with and for the people of Scotland; we monitor, listen, and speak up for all our rights and respond when things go wrong. We are a public body created by statute, with a mandate to protect and promote the human rights of all people in Scotland.
The Commission is established as a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI). As such we are part of a global network of bodies accredited by the United Nations to monitor state compliance with international and national human rights law and treaties. It is the job of NHRIs to use the rule of law to promote and protect the human rights of all of the people who live in any given country and assess the actions of the state on that basis. This is how the Scottish Human Rights Commission approaches its work.
Long Description
Five petals around the words SHRC values. Each petal describes a value. They are: 1. Accessible 2. Independent 3. Uphold human rights 4. Educate and engage 5. Authoritative, expert and trusted
Long description ends.
Vacancies
The Scottish Human Rights Commission is recruiting a Legal Fellow, for a fixed term of 12 months, as part of its Scottish Human Rights Fellowship scheme.
The post and how to apply are described more fully below:
Legal Fellow
Full time (37 hours per week)
Fixed term 12 months
Grade 2 FTE salary £31,514 - £34,066 (pay award pending for 2026-27)
Based in Edinburgh, Hybrid working available
The job holder will work collaboratively with members of the Legal and Policy team and colleagues across the Commission, gaining valuable insight into the work of Scotland’s National Human Rights Institution.
Specific projects and areas of work will depend on the particular focus of the Legal and Policy team at any given time; however, the job holder will use their knowledge of the European and International human rights systems together with their legal and policy research skills to support various projects aimed at protecting and promoting the human rights of everyone in Scotland.
Download a recruitment pack and application form here.
Closing date for applications: 9am on Tuesday 15 July 2025
Interview date: likely to be Wednesday 30 July 2025
Please note that CVs will not be accepted and applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
Contract research
From time to time we contract research projects to external specialists. If you are a research consultant and would like to be considered for future opportunities, please complete our research database form.
Current tenders
A human rights based examination of families’ experiences of the Fatal Accident Inquiry process following a death in detention
You are invited by the Scottish Human Rights Commission to quote for the provision of the services detailed in the attached brief. Your quotation must be received by no later than 12:00 noon 22 July 2025.
Other opportunities
There are no other opportunities.