Volunteer Opportunity: Independent Advisory Panel Members at the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty-Apply before 27 Mar 2026
The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty is inviting applications for Independent Advisory Panel Members to support its global work advocating for the abolition of capital punishment. This volunteer opportunity offers experts the chance to contribute their knowledge and experience to strengthen international efforts aimed at ending the death penalty worldwide.
Panel members will provide independent advice on funding allocations, program priorities, and strategic initiatives within the coalition’s global consortium.
About the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty
The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty is a global alliance of more than 190 organizations, including non-governmental organizations, bar associations, trade unions, and local authorities. The coalition works to strengthen international collaboration and advocacy in the fight to abolish the death penalty.
The organization’s mission is to achieve universal abolition of capital punishment through coordinated international action. Its work is guided by the 2023–2027 Strategic Plan, which focuses on several key priorities:
- Coordinating international advocacy campaigns
- Promoting knowledge sharing and solidarity among abolitionist movements
- Supporting national and regional campaigns against the death penalty
- Developing and sharing best practices in advocacy and policy reform
- Strengthening governance and collaboration within the global movement
Through these efforts, the coalition aims to advance human rights and encourage legal reforms that eliminate the use of the death penalty globally.
The Global Consortium for Death Penalty Abolition
As part of its strategic initiatives, the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty coordinates the Global Consortium for Death Penalty Abolition, a partnership supported through a Financial Framework Partnership Agreement with the European Union.
The consortium brings together several organizations working to eliminate the death penalty, including:
- Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network
- Comunità di Sant’Egidio
- Ensemble contre la peine de mort
- International Federation of ACATs
- Greater Caribbean for Life
- Harm Reduction International
- Parliamentarians for Global Action
- Penal Reform International
- Reprieve
- The Death Penalty Project
- The Rights Practice
- Witness to Innocence
The consortium coordinates funding and advocacy initiatives that support civil society organizations working to abolish the death penalty.
Role of the Independent Advisory Panel
The Independent Advisory Panel serves as an external body composed of experts who provide independent guidance and oversight for funding decisions and program development.
Panel members will review and assess funding proposals submitted by consortium members and affiliated organizations. Their recommendations will help guide decisions on resource allocation and strategic priorities.
Key responsibilities include:
- Reviewing grant proposals for regranting funds
- Assessing alignment with the coalition’s strategic objectives
- Providing recommendations on funding decisions
- Ensuring transparency and accountability in grant-making processes
- Offering expert advice on potential conflicts of interest
- Reviewing projects and regranting processes annually
- Providing recommendations for future funding strategies
Panel members also contribute to discussions on improving the effectiveness of international advocacy and funding mechanisms within the abolitionist movement.
Panel Composition and Membership
The Independent Advisory Panel will consist of up to ten members, along with two reserve members who may step in if conflicts of interest arise.
Members will be selected through an open call and nominated by a subcommittee of the Steering Committee of the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty.
The selection process aims to ensure:
- Balanced geographic representation
- Gender diversity
- Representation from civil society, legal professionals, and academia
- Inclusion of individuals with direct experience related to the death penalty
At least one panel member is expected to be directly impacted by the death penalty, such as an exoneree, family member of a death row inmate, or a capital defense lawyer.
Responsibilities and Time Commitment
Panel members will serve two-year terms, with the possibility of renewal for a second term.
Expected commitments include:
- Up to six days reviewing and scoring grant proposals during funding cycles
- Participation in online meetings to discuss and finalize evaluations
- Additional virtual meetings throughout the year to discuss funding strategies
- Attendance at an in-person meeting every two years
- Participation in discussions addressing potential conflicts of interest
All panel members will review proposals using a shared evaluation framework to ensure consistent and fair assessments.
While the role is voluntary, travel and meeting-related expenses will be covered by the consortium.
Eligibility and Expertise Requirements
The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty is seeking experts with experience relevant to anti-death penalty advocacy and international funding processes.
Ideal candidates should have expertise in areas such as:
- Campaigning against the death penalty
- Legal research and human rights advocacy
- Civil society development and governance
- Grant-making and program evaluation
- Technical assistance to nonprofit organizations
Panel members must also demonstrate the ability to evaluate proposals objectively and impartially.
Applications are encouraged from individuals based in regions where the death penalty remains in law, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and the South West Asia–North Africa region.
Conflict of Interest and Independence
Panel members must act in their personal capacity and maintain independence from governments, donors, and consortium organizations.
To ensure impartiality:
- Members must disclose any conflicts of interest
- Individuals affiliated with consortium member organizations are generally not eligible
- Government or European Union representatives are not eligible
Panel members must also follow the principle of “do no harm”, ensuring that their work does not expose applicants or beneficiaries to security or legal risks.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit:
- A resume or CV
- A cover letter outlining relevant experience and motivation
Applications should be sent by email to smahammedi@worldcoalition.org.
Application Deadline
The deadline for applications is 27 March 2026. Selected panel members will begin their term in April 2026, with final selections made by the Steering Committee of the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty.
Why This Role Matters
Serving on the Independent Advisory Panel provides an opportunity to directly influence global efforts to end capital punishment. By contributing independent expertise and strategic guidance, panel members will help ensure that funding and advocacy initiatives effectively support civil society organizations working toward the universal abolition of the death penalty.
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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the organization that is hiring. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
