Internship at Human Rights Watch , New York, United States

Disability Rights Division
New York Office
Winter 2015/Spring 2016
Apply Immediately

Internship Description: Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) seeks an enthusiastic, reliable, and qualified current law student or graduate student to intern at our New York office on a full or part-time basis from January through May 2015 (dates are flexible). The student will intern with HRW staff and focus on research and advocacy in the field of disability rights. The internship may include:
• Conducting background research on a range of disability rights issues, including on violence against people with disabilities, involuntary detention and disability and conflict.
• Assisting in drafting advocacy documents such as letters, op-eds, and submissions to the United Nations
• Participating in meetings at the UN and with disability experts, as the opportunity arises
Internships are unpaid. Students are often able to arrange academic credit, as HRW internships often offer direct exposure to the workings of an international human rights organization, close supervision by the HRW staff, interaction with other 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: Candidates should be well-organized, self-motivated, strong writers, and good team players. Interest and/or experience in human rights issues, particularly in the disability field, is highly desirable. Foreign language skills are valued but not required. Computer skills (i.e., Microsoft Office, Internet applications) are required. The intern must be an enrolled student during 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: Please apply by emailing a letter of interest, resume, two names or letters of reference, and a brief, unedited writing sample (no calls or email inquiries, please) to disability@hrw.org. Please use “Spring 2016 Disability Rights Internship Application” as the subject of your email. Only complete applications will be reviewed. Due to the large number of applications, only short-listed candidates will be contacted further.

Applications will be accepted through November 27th, 2015.

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.