Americas Division Intern

Application Deadline: August 4, 2023

The Americas Division of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking a graduate student intern based in São Paulo, London, New York, Washington D.C., or other locations where HRW has an office. Ideally, the intern will be available beginning in September through December 2023 for 15 to 35 hours per week, (dates and hours per week are flexible).

Responsibilities:

The student will intern closely with staff and will focus on human rights issues in Latin America. The intern may do the following:

• Conduct desk research;
• Monitor current events in Latin America;
• Identify and understand key issues in the Latin American region; and
• Draft documents.

Additional opportunities:

• Direct exposure to the workings of a large, international human rights organization;
• Close supervision by HRW staff to provide feedback and support;
• Interaction with other U.S. and international organizations and foreign and domestic government officials;
• Access to HRW materials and publications;
• Attending select in-house events such as a speaker series events, and other events organized within the organization, particularly for interns;
• Opportunities to attend lectures, trainings, and special events relating to human rights; and
• Academic credit (students should check with their individual academic institutions for requirements).

Qualifications:

• For interns based in Brazil, United Kingdom, and United States, enrollment in an accredited graduate program for the duration of the internship term is required.
• Students studying law, international relations, journalism, or other highly relevant social sciences and/or humanities fields are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Well-organized, self-motivated, and reliable;
• Commitment to public service, and a strong interest in international human rights and current affairs in Latin America are highly preferred;
• Fluency or high level of proficiency in English is required; Spanish or Portuguese language proficiency is essential, though knowledge of both is preferred;
• Familiarity with the Latin American region and relevant coursework are highly desirable; and
• Computer skills (i.e., Microsoft Office, Internet applications) are essential.

Applicants who are offered an internship must possess valid work authorization for the location in which they will be based for the duration of the internship.

Salary: Compensation will be based on local law and HRW policy. Interns in Brazil will receive a monthly gross stipend of BRL 1,200.00, which will be prorated based on the number of hours they intern. Interns in Brazil will also be reimbursed for their lunch and local travel costs, if they choose to come into the office as per, HRW policy. Interns in the United Kingdom will be paid an hourly wage of GBP 11.95 per hour. Interns in the United States will be paid an hourly wage of USD 17.00 an hour. Human Rights Watch offers interns in the United Kingdom and United States twenty (20) days of vacation prorated per year pursuant to the work schedule and length of employment.

Students may be able to arrange academic credit, as Human Rights Watch internships often offer direct exposure to the workings of an international human rights organization, close supervision by HRW staff, and interaction with other international organizations and foreign and domestic government officials. Students should check with their individual academic institutions for requirements.

How to Apply: Please apply immediately by visiting our online job portal at: https://careers.hrw.org and attaching a CV/resume, letter of interest, and a writing sample in English. No calls or email inquiries, please. Only complete applications will be reviewed. Due to the large number of applications only shortlisted candidates will be contacted further.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application submission, please email [email protected]. Due to the large response, application submissions via email will not be accepted and inquiries regarding the status of applications will go unanswered.

Human Rights Watch is strong because it is diverse. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Human Rights Watch does not discriminate on the basis of disability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal record. We welcome all kinds of diversity. Our employees include people who are parents and nonparents, the self-taught and university educated, and from a wide span of socio-economic backgrounds and perspectives on the world. Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer.

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.