Aryeh Neier Fellowship

The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation and Human Rights Watch invite applications for the Aryeh Neier Fellowship. The fellow will work with both organizations on joint initiatives to strengthen respect for human rights in the United States. Work is likely to include field research in the United States, preparation of reports, advocacy, and development of litigation strategies.

Human Rights Watch and the ACLU created the fellowship to honor the legacy of Aryeh Neier. As executive director of the ACLU and then of Human Rights Watch, Aryeh Neier helped develop both organizations into powerful forces for justice and human rights.

A special committee from both organizations will select the fellow, who will begin the two-year fellowship in the fall of 2009. He or she will work in the New York City offices of Human Rights Watch and the ACLU, spending a year at each.

Qualifications

Applicants should be recent law school graduates or should graduate by June 2009. Applicants must have exceptional analytical skills, an ability to write and speak clearly and forcefully, and a commitment to human rights and justice. They should have academic or work experience related to some aspect of the protection of human rights and civil liberties in the United States. Proficiency in one language in addition to English is recommended but not required. Applicants should be dynamic, self-motivated, able to work independently as well as part of a team, and have proven initiative and follow through.

Salary and Benefits

The fellow will receive $47,000 in the first year, with a salary increase in the second year. Please note that the fellowship salary for the first year is currently under review and may be increased.

Applications

Applications should contain a cover letter, resume, two letters of recommendation, at least one unedited, unpublished writing sample, and an official law or graduate school transcript. Complete applications (including transcripts and recommendations) must be postmarked no later than October 3, 2008. Applications should be sent to: 

HRW-ACLU Fellowship Committee
Human Rights Watch
350 Fifth Avenue, 34th Floor 
New York, NY 10118-3299

Applicants must be available for interviews in New York from early November to mid-December 2008.