The Development and Outreach Department and Children’s Rights Division of Human Rights Watch ("HRW") is seeking a currently enrolled student to intern in the Los Angeles office for the summer of 2018. Ideally, the candidate will be available for at least 15 hours per week for 4 months beginning in May 2018. The internship may have flexible hours within the 9:00 am to 6:00 pm weekday office hours.
Internships are unpaid. Academic credit can often be arranged as Human Rights Watch internships often offer direct exposure to the workings of an international human rights organization, close supervision by the Human Rights Watch staff, interaction with community activists and opportunities to attend lectures, trainings, and special events relating to human rights. Students should check with their individual academic institutions for requirements.
This internship will primarily focus on projects from both the Development and Outreach Department and the Children’s Rights Division. This internship is best suited for individuals interested in gaining experience within a large, well-organized, international non-profit organization. The intern will learn more about fundraising, event planning, information tracking, as well as gain knowledge of the organization's priority human rights issues, methodology, and the legislative process in California.
- Development and Outreach: The intern will build skills in: using databases; writing acknowledgment letters and other correspondence; planning special events and outreach initiatives; and collaborating with the organization's community of volunteers and advocates.
- Children’s Rights Division: The intern will learn about the efforts to reform the way youth are treated in California’s criminal justice system. The intern will build skills in: conducting desk research; corresponding with prisoners; drafting and editing documents; and monitoring and evaluating current laws. Additional projects will be assigned as the opportunity arises.
- Applicants should be well-organized, self-motivated, and reliable with strong inter-personal and analytical skills.
- A strong demonstrated interest in human rights and experience with research, advocacy, web design, social media and online communications tools are highly desirable.
- An academic background in political science, public policy, criminal justice, law, international relations, or anthropology is a plus.
- Strong computer skills (i.e., MS Word, MS Excel, internet applications) are required.