Indigenous Peoples Rights Fellow

Job Summary

The Fellow will be housed in AIUSA’s Programs Unit, reporting to the National Director of Programs. Programs are ongoing bodies of work on human rights issues staffed by experts who create and implement strategies to win human rights victories and make long-term human rights impact. Programs help build the foundation for successful campaigns, which are shorter-term, highly focused, time-bound, and winnable projects that advance long-term programmatic work. You can read our report on the failure to protect Indigenous women from sexual violence here.

The Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Fellow will have the opportunity to work on federal advocacy on human rights issues in the Washington, D.C. office (hybrid) of AIUSA, specifically on efforts to end sexual violence against Indigenous women. The Fellowship is full-time and requires an 18-month commitment. The Fellow will also have one long-term project completed over the fellowship. The salary is $112,500 for the 18-month fixed term (based on an annual salary of $75,000) plus benefits.

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 Indigenous rights fellow will help build and maintain coalition partnerships to help pass relevant legislation in Congress and to change/advance relevant policy and rules in the administration (including through the Indian Health Service and Bureau of Indian Affairs).

Qualifications and Experience

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Strong written and analytical skills, experience working on human rights issues related to Indigenous people in the USA
• Knowledge of United States law and institutions related to Indian law and human rights, particular experience working on relevant sexual assault law and policy a plus
• A background developing and nurturing partnerships with civil society and grassroots organizations, understands the Washington policy environment, and can work to advance a human rights-first approach to United States government policy
• Experience conducting policy analysis; should possess strong analytical skills, with the ability to digest and summarize data and policy related to human rights, domestic policy, and political and economic affairs and related to Indigenous people in the USA
• 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 Indigenous communities and survivors of sexual assault
• Experience in presenting human rights or related topics and analyses to diverse audiences
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to inspire and motivate officials/their 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
• 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
• 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
• Experience working in hybrid/remote organization preferred
• Experience working in a collaborative environment and with a team desired

The ideal candidate will have:

• strong written and analytical skills, understands the Washington policy environment regarding Indigenous People’s rights, and can work to advance a human rights-first approach to United States government policy.
• knowledge of United States Indian law and related institutions.

Essential Responsibilities

• Build and maintain close relationships with policymakers in Congress and across the federal government
• Identify influential stakeholders in the United States government, including potential supporters and opponents, and takes advantage of political opportunities to push forward human rights goals
• Identify opportunities for relevant human rights progress related to U.S. Indian law and policy and build and implement strategy to achieve this progress
• Collaborate closely with the National Director of Programs, the Director of Gender, Sexuality and Identity, and other Amnesty International staff on issues related to human rights of Indigenous people in the USA
• 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
• Build and sustain key partner contacts and build and sustain coalition to move forward shared human rights priorities
• 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

$75,000 annually