The Development and Outreach Department of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking an undergraduate student to intern with the Americas Initiative team in New York. The internship will focus on the development and outreach efforts for our US Territory with an emphasis on fundraising, acknowledgement letter writing, prospect research, and donor engagement. Ideally the candidate will be available for a minimum of 15 hours per week, three days per week for a minimum of three months starting in September 2019 (dates and times are flexible).
Internships are unpaid. However, 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 US and international organizations and foreign and domestic government officials. Students should check with their individual academic institutions for requirements.
Students will also have opportunities to attend lectures, trainings, professional development workshops, and/or special events relating to human rights, as well as network with other HRW interns, volunteers, and employees. As an HRW intern, students will take skills acquired in school and apply them in a professional setting.
- Conducting prospect research;
- Cultivating donor relations;
- Drafting documents and other correspondence related to donor outreach;
- Maintaining relationships with current supporters and donors;
- Creating promotional materials and mailings;
- Writing and editing solicitation and acknowledgment letters;
- Using fundraising and donor databases;
- Liaising with partners related to even logistics;
- Liaising with donors and supporters to encourage participation in events;
- Planning and organizing events and donor trips; and
- Fact-checking and proof-reading grand reports and proposals;
Additional opportunities:
- Direct exposure to the workings of a large, international human rights organization;
- Induction training on the internal working of HRW;
- 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 the interns;
- Attending internal staff meeting and outside meetings and events related to the human rights field;
- Close supervision and evaluation sessions to provide feedback and support; and
- Obtaining academic credit (students should check with their individual academic institutions for requirements).
- Applicants should be well-organized, self-motivated and reliable, with a strong interest in international human rights.
- Relevant coursework is highly desirable, and knowledge of foreign languages is a plus. Computer skills (i.e., Microsoft Office, Internet applications) are required.