Policy & Advocacy Fall Intern, Humanitarian Aid (Paid), International Rescue Committee, Washington DC

The Policy & Advocacy Department (P&A) is a dynamic team whose core purpose is to drive fundamental change in the humanitarian sector, and to defend and promote core humanitarian policies, protections and assistance. The team carries out, coordinates, and provides guidance on a wide variety of domestic and international advocacy initiatives, including briefings, public outreach and education, and communication with the media. IRC advocates represent the IRC with legislative and executive branches of the US government, the media, NGO partner agencies and coalitions, the United Nations, and international financial institutions such as the World Bank. Learn more about the IRC’s Policy and Advocacy team here: https://www.rescue.org/policy.

Job Overview: The Policy and Advocacy team seeks a current undergraduate or graduate student for the role of Policy & Advocacy Fellow – Humanitarian Aid. The Fellow will work with the P&A Team’s Humanitarian Aid portfolio, as well as the team’s International Crisis portfolio. Topics that may come up include solutions to protracted displacement and refugee inclusion; humanitarian financing data and analysis; humanitarian crises, such as those in Venezuela, Yemen, and Ukraine; and global trends and themes related to civilian protection, COVID-19, and humanitarian response.

Responsibilities: This short-term opportunity is a remote position with expectation of working within Eastern Time hours and reporting to the Officer for Humanitarian Aid P&A; Associate Director for Humanitarian Policy; and the Latin America Regional and Global Crisis Policy Officer. Work activities may include the following:

Conduct research on humanitarian aid effectiveness and reform, new policy developments, and ongoing crises; and provide written analysis to staff.
Produce a weekly tracker of press articles, reports and upcoming meetings, events, hearings and UN meetings related to humanitarian aid.
Engage in planning around IRC’s engagement with the UN and UN Security Council on specific crises as well as broader thematic issues such as the Protection of Civilians
Attend meetings and events with and on behalf of senior staff, including NGO coalition meetings and congressional hearings, take detailed notes and report back.
Draft, edit, and format policy and advocacy materials such as talking points for meetings, briefs and reports for distribution to key partners.
Other duties and tasks as assigned related to research, writing, analysis, and advocacy.

Job Requirements

Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program.
Available to work a minimum of 20 hours per week, for a minimum of 14 weeks between August and December.
Solid writing, editing, and research skills with a focus on detail.
Interest in and familiarity with humanitarian issues.
Ability to multi-task and prioritize in a fast-paced work environment.
Solid computer skills: able to work effectively and accurately with MS Outlook, Word, Excel, email, and internet applications.
Flexible work attitude: able to work productively in a team environment as well as under minimal supervision, taking the initiative to ask questions as needed.
Demonstrated commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in the humanitarian field.
Lived experience with communities or regions facing conflict or displacement, resettlement, asylum, immigration or migration