United States of America: Advocacy Intern
Country: United States of America
Closing date: 23 Aug 2013
Internship Description: The Advocacy Division of Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) is seeking a graduate school student for the fall of 2013. The student will intern closely with the Advocacy Associate, the UN Director, and the Global Advocacy Director. The intern will monitor the work of the United Nations in New York, perform various short- and long-term research assignments, liaise with UN officials, and assist with building and maintaining a database of advocacy contacts. The intern will also have the opportunity to attend internal advocacy strategy meetings and external meetings with UN officials and diplomats. Other duties and projects will be assigned as they arise. Ideally, the candidate will be available for 35 hours per week from late August to mid-December.
Internships are generally unpaid. Students are often able to arrange academic credit, as HRW internships offer direct exposure to the workings of an international human rights organization, close supervision by the HRW staff, interaction with other US and international organizations, and foreign and domestic government officials, and opportunities to attend lectures, trainings, and special events relating to human rights. Students should check with their individual academic institutions for requirements.
Qualifications: Applicants should have a strong interest in some combination of international human rights, international relations, and social change. Applicants should demonstrate precise attention to detail, the ability to follow instructions, conscientiousness about checking one’s own work, a positive attitude, a proactive approach, and good judgment. Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel are required. The intern must be a student for the duration of the internship term.
Applicants who are offered an internship, but who are not US permanent residents, US citizens, or in possession of a valid student visa, must apply for a J-1 visa through a sponsoring organization. This process can take several weeks and applicants will have to incur their own costs.
How to apply:
How to Apply: Please apply as soon as possible or by August 23 by emailing a letter of interest, curriculum vitae or resume, names of or letters from three references, and a brief, unedited writing sample to advocacy.hire@hrw.org. Please use "NY Advocacy Internship – Fall 2013" as the subject of your email. No calls or email inquiries please. Only complete applications will be reviewed. Due to the large number of applications, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices and, in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seeks a diverse applicant pool.
Human Rights Watch is an international human rights monitoring and advocacy organization known for its in-depth investigations, its incisive and timely reporting, its innovative and high-profile advocacy campaigns, and its success in changing the human rights-related policies and practices of influential governments and international institutions.
