Application Deadline: August 24, 2018
The Business and Human Rights Division of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking a law student intern with an interest in corporate accountability, poverty and inequality, and criminal justice, or related fields, who would like to expand their understanding and practical knowledge of human rights. Ideally, the intern will be available for 12 weeks starting in August or September 2018 in the Washington, D.C. office (start date is flexible). The student will intern closely with the division’s Senior Researcher by undertaking desk research, analysis, and outreach tasks in the context of ongoing projects related to inequality in the US, predatory practices against the poor, security and extractives, and standard setting at the local, national, and international level.
The internship is 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 HRW staff, interaction with other US organizations, and 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. We recommend that students secure funding through external scholarships and grants. Please check with your academic institution for more information on possible sources of funding.
The internship will primarily focus on:
- Research assistance: The intern will use online resources to conduct desk research, including reviewing and analyzing media articles, policy papers, legal documents, and academic and NGO reports.
- Media monitoring: The intern will monitor ongoing projects and track new developments in the field of business and human rights.
- Advocacy activities: The intern will draft research and legal memos, project analyses, letters, press releases, and other written materials. The intern may also have the opportunity to attend meetings with civil society partners, government agencies, subject area experts, and others.
Additional opportunities:
- Direct exposure to the workings of a large, international human rights organization, as well as to the HRW report research, writing, and publication processes;
- Induction training on the internal working of HRW;
- Participation in select in-house events such as a speaker series events, and other events organized within the organization, particularly for the interns; and
- Possibility to obtain academic credit (students should check with their individual academic institution for requirements).
- A passion for and an eagerness to learn more about human rights and international issues related to businesses and predatory practices against the poor;
- An exemplary academic record combined with relevant coursework and/or research/work/clinical/practical experiences;
- Self-motivation and precise attention to detail;
- Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills in English (knowledge of other languages is a plus); and
- Computer skills (e.g. Microsoft Office, internet applications).