Almami Cyllah Fellow (1-Year Fixed Term)

Position description

Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) is the global organization’s presence in the United States. We engage people in the U.S. to fight injustice all around the world, while we also work to protect people’s human rights here in the U.S. Amnesty International USA has more than one million members and activists in all 50 states, who are part of a larger global movement of 10 million people in 150 countries. We are a democratically governed, grassroots membership organization, which means that our members vote on key policy issues and elect our Board of Directors. Some of our members are experts on specific human rights issues, parts of the world, or advocacy areas, and they serve as volunteer leaders. Others are volunteer leaders of local or student groups in towns, universities, states, or regions of the country. Amnesty International USA’s elected Board members, staff, and members work together to lead the organization.

AIUSA’s Government Relations (GR) and Advocacy team educates, advises, and lobbies U.S. government (USG) officials on human rights issues around the world. Leveraging Amnesty’s research and grassroots power, GR creates and implements advocacy strategies to push for U.S. government policies that contribute to positive human rights outcomes. We build and maintain close relationships with policymakers in Congress and across the federal government. GR identifies influential stakeholders in the USG, including potential supporters and opponents, and takes advantage of political opportunities to push forward organizational goals. 

Fellows at AIUSA gain experience in human rights research and advocacy including but not limited to developing and implementing advocacy strategies and materials, contact with governmental bodies and officials, conducting legislative research, drafting memoranda and blogs, managing databases, analyzing emerging areas of relevant law and government policy, tracking the progress of legislation in the United States Congress, and learning about the international human rights framework. Fellows will also be responsible for researching and documenting issues related to U.S. foreign policy and human rights in their area of focus, as well as attending and summarizing briefings, hearings, and other NGO events.

The Almami Cyllah Fellow will have the opportunity to work on federal advocacy on human rights issues in the Washington, D.C. office of AIUSA. The Fellowship is full-time and requires a 1-year commitment, focusing on human rights issues and US foreign policy related to sub–Saharan Africa.

The Almami Cyllah Fellow will have the opportunity to build and sharpen their human rights skills by working directly with the Advocacy Director for Africa. The Fellow will gain and strengthen their expertise in human rights research and advocacy including, but not limited to, developing and implementing advocacy strategies and materials, contact with governmental bodies and officials, conducting legislative research, drafting memoranda and blogs, managing databases, analyzing emerging areas of relevant law and government policy, tracking the progress of legislation in the United States Congress, and learning about the international human rights framework. The Fellow will also be responsible for researching and documenting issues related to U.S. foreign policy and human rights in their area of focus, as well as attending and summarizing briefings, hearings, and other NGO events. The Fellow will also have one long term project that will be completed over the length of the fellowship.

Essential Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with the Africa Advocacy Director and other Amnesty International staff on issues related to human rights in the sub-Saharan Africa
• Provide administrative support for ongoing advocacy work including by preparing briefing materials, drafting backgrounders, and taking meeting minutes, thereby ensuring internal and external stakeholders and partners remain on deadline and on task
• Build and sustain contacts with key U.S. Government partners in the Executive and Legislative branches
• Work with the Africa Advocacy Director to implement strategies for AIUSA engagement with the US government to advance a consistent human rights agenda on related to sub-Saharan Africa
• Conduct legislative research, drafts memoranda and blogs, analyzing emerging areas of relevant law and government policy
• Track the progress of relevant legislation in the United States
• Participate and represent AIUSA in coalitions and advance advocacy strategies with coalition partners
• Under the guidance of the Africa Advocacy Director, liaise with other NGOs working on related issues
• Independently engage with Members of Congress and administrative agencies as needed and appropriate
• Works with relevant staff, AIUSA members and volunteer leaders on campaigns, policies, and other assigned tasks
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have:

• strong written and analytical skills, experience working on human rights issues related to the sub-Saharan Africa, a background developing and nurturing partnerships with civil society and grassroots organizations from the region, understands the Washington policy environment regarding Africa, and can work to advance a human rights-first approach to United States government policy
• knowledge of international human rights and humanitarian law, United States law and institutions related to foreign policy and human rights, and key regional and country-level laws and legal frameworks

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Experience conducting policy research and should possess strong analytical skills, with the ability to digest and summarize data and policy related to human rights, foreign policy, and political and economic affairs and history elated to sub-Saharan Africa
• Facility with administrative tasks, including taking minutes, developing briefing materials, organizing virtual and in-person meetings and events, etc.
• Demonstrated familiarity with human rights and US foreign policy in sub-Saharan
• Proven ability to write comprehensive policy memos, issue briefs, and other advocacy and human rights documents
• Documented history of cultural sensitivity and a demonstrated record of dealing effectively with members of effected communities and survivors of conflict
• Experience in presenting human rights topics and analyses to diverse audiences
• Experience working on issues related to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA)
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to inspire and motivate staff and partners.
• Demonstrable ability to initiate, develop and sustain positive working relationships over long periods of time with a wide range of individuals and groups, including those from different cultural backgrounds
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple and detailed tasks and produce high-quality work under short and fixed deadlines
• Ability to objectively assess situations to determine action-oriented solutions
• Must live near, and be able to attend meetings in Washington D.C.
• Some weeknight and weekend work may be required

Education and Experience

• B.A./ B.S. and/or  3-5 years of relevant experience
• Law and public affairs graduates encouraged to apply
• Experience working in hybrid/remote organizations preferred
• Experience with grassroots organizations a plus, particularly those working on sub-Saharan Africa
• Experience working in a collaborative environment and with a team desired
• Proficiency in French, Swahili, Amharic, and Arabic a plus

We recognize the valuable skills that can be gained through internships, fellowships, volunteer work, and non-traditional work experience. This experience helps build competencies and knowledge that may translate to our job openings. We seek a diversity of experience and skills for our workplace and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our openings.

Application instructions

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