Almami Cyllah Fellow (1-Year Fixed Term)

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.

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

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

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.

HOW TO APPLY AND OUR EEO STATEMENT

DEADLINE TO APPLY: July 19, 2024, 5:00PM EST 

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:  Please submit the following documents

1. A statement of interest indicating your interest in this Fellowship listing relevant qualifications and experience 
2. Resume 

All applications must be completed online, and we do not accept paper submissions. Please visit the AIUSA Careers Page to review all current job postings.  You must complete the entire online application, and electronically sign, for an application to be considered “complete.” We send emails via Paycom so please check your spam folders for any updates. Please email talentacquisition@aiusa.org for technical difficulties ONLY. 

Amnesty International USA is an equal opportunity employer. AIUSA encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Black people, Indigenous people, people of color; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex people; women; people with disabilities, protected veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals are all strongly encouraged to apply.

OUR COMMITMENT AS AN ANTI-RACIST ORGANIZATION AND TO INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND ACCESSIBILITY (IDEA)

Dismantling white supremacy is central to the fight for human rights in the United States and around the world. As we mobilize staff and activists and work with partners to help transform the multiple systems where oppression operates in the world around us as part of our human rights mandate, anti-racism must be integral to our work. What does that mean for Amnesty International in the United States? It means using our people power to fight injustice and centering the voices and experiences of those most impacted by racist structures, beliefs, and laws. Fundamentally, it means doing our human rights work differently than it has been done before, because we know that who we work with, how we work, the work we do, and ultimately who we are, are all interconnected.

As an international, intercultural, intergenerational, and intersectional movement of activists committed to protecting and advancing human rights for all, Amnesty is deeply committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility (IDEA). To learn more about how we integrate IDEA into our programs and workplace, visit: https://www.amnestyusa.org/idea/

Remote and Hybrid Workplace Policy

Because the health and safety of our employees and candidates are a top priority, we are currently conducting our hiring process virtually. Please review the job description, which will state whether a role is hybrid and remote. Some roles may require travel domestically and/or internationally.