Advocacy Intern - Summer 2025

The Washington, DC office of Human Rights First (HRF) seeks a motivated advocacy intern for the Summer 2025 semester to support the work of Human Rights First’s advocacy team. Our team is looking for a currently enrolled graduate or a recent graduate who has a strong interest in and commitment to refugee rights and advocacy. The Refugee Advocacy internship intends to provide interns with a unique opportunity to take part in advocacy initiatives while working closely with immigration experts to advance HRF’s advocacy objectives. The advocacy intern will strengthen their research, policy analysis, and advocacy skills through their participation in defensive advocacy efforts.

How will you make a difference in the Human Rights space through this internship?

As an advocacy intern with HRF’s advocacy team, you will help advocate for and defend the rights of refugees and asylum seekers. Advocacy interns play a pivotal role in helping our advocacy team respond to harmful executive orders and proposed legislation by supporting our advocacy efforts. Through helping draft materials, keeping track of organizational and congressional statements, and working in coalition, you will help educate and encourage Members of Congress to uphold the fundamental right to seek asylum and U.S. obligations under international refugee law and stand in support of all those who have been displaced.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Intern responsibilities include refugee-related policies and advocacy research on issues related to human rights;
• Research related to advocacy strategy and methodology;
• Monitor, attend, and track congressional hearings, markups, and floor debates;
• Research and track legislation, legislative history, legislators’ backgrounds and voting records;
• Assist staff with written and oral correspondence with partner NGOs and government offices;
• Represent Human Rights First at various NGO-government liaison meetings and take detailed notes for Human Rights First staff, as needed; and
• Administrative and other tasks as needed.
  
  
  

Desired Skills and Experience:

• Excellent research, analytical, and communication skills;
• Demonstrated commitment to and/or informed knowledge of human rights and/or advocacy;
• Excellent project management skills, capacity to take initiative, to finish assignments under pressure and to work collegially with others;
• Strong attention to detail and time management;
• Demonstrated ability to work with people possessing different viewpoints; and
• Fluency in another language is preferred but not required
• Preferably located in Washington, D.C., Maryland, or Virginia.
  
  
  

Education: Graduate or Law student. Students studying political science, public policy, international studies, social justice and human rights concentration are encouraged to apply.

Compensation: Unpaid

Start Date: May 26, 2025

End Date: August 15, 2025

Time Commitment: 15-30 hours/week

Submission Deadline: March 7, 2025

Application Instructions: Please include a cover letter, resume, and writing sample (no longer than 5 pages), all in PDF format.

Human Rights First is committed to recruiting, retaining, and developing staff from a diversity of backgrounds, including members of racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, people of all nationalities, and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. We believe that a diverse staff and an inclusive work environment that welcomes a range of perspectives make us stronger and more effective.