Internship Description: This internship will focus on Human Rights Watch's work on US policy on human rights, including foreign, counterterrorism, and domestic policy. This involves monitoring the US Congress, Departments of Defense and State, and other government entities; attending hearings on Capitol Hill and other meetings. The intern will be responsible for some administrative and clerical work, including distributing press releases to State Department and other officials, managing the advocacy contacts database and regular tracking of HRW legislative priorities. Other projects can be assigned as they arise and match the student's interests and abilities, including research, drafting documents, translating, and helping prepare advocacy documents.

This internship will require a minimum commitment of 16 hours per week for a period of 12-14 weeks. The intern must be based in Washington, DC. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and the ideal candidate should have immediate availability.

This internship is 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 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 be well-organized, self-motivated and reliable, with a strong interest in human rights, especially concerning US domestic and foreign policy and the workings of the US government.  Relevant coursework is highly desirable, and knowledge of foreign languages is a plus. Computer skills (i.e., Microsoft Office, Internet applications) are required.

How to Apply: Please apply by November 1, 2009 by sending a letter of interest, resume and two names or letters of reference (no calls or email inquiries, please) to advocacy.hire@hrw.org.  Your letter of interest should indicate the days and hours you will be available.  Please use "Winter Advocacy Internship-DC" as the subject of your email.  Only complete applications will be reviewed.  All applicants will be sent a confirmation of receipt.  Due to the large number of applications, only short-listed candidates will be contacted further.

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.

The Advocacy Division in Washington, DC oversees Human Rights Watch's engagement with the US government. Coordinating with staff based in Washington, New York, and other domestic and international offices, the Division seeks to influence the US government's foreign, counterterrorism, and domestic policies to achieve greater respect for human rights.