The IHR team seeks an intern for the spring term March-June interested in international human rights, for 12-15 hours per week, in our Times Square office in New York City.  

Description of the International Human Rights Program

Through grant making and philanthropic leadership, Wellspring’s International Human Rights (IHR) Program builds a global human rights field that advances the full range of human rights as articulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; deters abusers and holds individual, state and non-state perpetrators accountable for rights violations; prioritizes marginalized populations and their equality, autonomy and access to power; and employs transformative approaches and strategies.

Desired Qualifications

• Graduate student (or possibly recent graduate) pursuing a relevant field (e.g., law, international economics [with a focus on poverty, labor, gender, and/or justice issues], public policy, international relations, international development, etc.)
• Previous experience in the field of international human rights or economic justice advocacy, philanthropy, public policy, or research, or other nonprofit advocacy or research
• Fluency in English and excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate concisely and for a professional audience
• Experience living, studying, and/or working in the Global South preferred
• Fluency in Spanish or other world languages preferred
• strong analytic, research and organizational skills
• Initiative, resourcefulness and flexibility
• Ability to handle confidential client information with complete discretion.

Program-related responsibilities

The successful candidate will work with our program officer to research and draft a memo on existing research, advocacy, funding, and strategies regarding:

• Tax justice
• Illicit financial flows from low-income countries, with a focus on resource-rich countries
• Transparency & equity in countries’ revenues from/contracts with large foreign investors
• International trade & investment agreements/policy
• Private actors in provision of public services
• Corruption and human rights
• Debt relief
• Transparency of company ownership
• Development models and alternatives

The successful candidate will be expected to develop a research plan, including desk research and interviews with field leaders, and to complete a memo on issues such as those above, in collaboration with, and with the guidance of, a program officer in the IHR team. This work is likely to include recording and compiling notes from interviews, and developing a system to track individuals and organizations relevant to the research.

As needed from time to time, the intern may also be required to perform duties outside of the primary research project, and must be flexible when working on other needs for the IHR team.

Benefits

• gain knowledge of international human rights and economic justice advocacy
• learn firsthand the operations of a grantmaking organization
• acquire a deeper understanding of the role philanthropic organizations play in promoting and advancing human rights and social justice
• develop and strengthen personal and professional skills in a workplace committed to the advancement of human rights

Additional benefits

• hourly position ($18/hour)
• flexible time schedule
• weekly lunch series featuring Wellspring staff and expert outside speakers
• opportunities to network with leading foundation staff

About Wellspring Philanthropic Fund

Wellspring Philanthropic Fund is a private grantmaking foundation dedicated to advancing the realization of human rights and social and economic justice for all people. Wellspring has offices in New York, NY, and Washington, DC.

Wellspring’s work is rooted in respect for the dignity and worth of every human being and is informed by the following beliefs:

• Social institutions and structures should promote the full realization of human rights and human potential, and should be accountable to these ends.
• The rights of all people are advanced when the rights of the most marginalized and vulnerable peoples are protected.
• Social justice movements should employ means that are consistent with their ideals, and should give agency to the people whose interests they seek to advance.
• As responsible stewards, we must strive to maximize the impact of our charitable investments.

As a private foundation, Wellspring’s key functions are to conduct research and education tailored to our mission; manage a grantmaking portfolio of various programs, administer grants and monitoring grantee performance; and work to promote the effectiveness of programs that receive donor funding.

Wellspring Philanthropic Fund hires, promotes and retains employees based on their professional qualifications, demonstrated abilities and work performance, as well as on the degree to which these qualities are required in the employment positions made available by the Firm’s service needs and business requirements. Wellspring welcomes candidates with diverse experience backgrounds and strongly encourages people of color to apply.

All personnel decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, assignment, training, promotion, discipline and discharge, are made without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic predisposition or carrier status, marital or familial status, domestic partner status, veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (each a “protected characteristic”). This policy also bans discriminatory harassment. Qualified candidates for employment having records of arrest or criminal conviction will be considered.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications should demonstrate strong research and writing talents, excellent communication skills, the ability to independently undertake various research and writing projects.

How to apply

Send an e-mail to [email protected] with “Intern, IHR” in the subject line, and attach the following documents:

1. a cover letter with a brief personal statement, and an outline of career goals and interests in human rights and economic justice, as well as a note on your expected weekly availability in the 2018 spring;
2. a resume listing relevant courses, previous experience and special skills (including languages);
3. one academic or professional reference; no personal references will be accepted; and
4. one writing sample of no more than three pages.

Complete applications must be received by the deadline, 5 PM, Thursday, February 15^th, 2018.

Interviews will take place the week of February 26.

Start date (with some flexibility) is March 5.

No phone calls, please.