Free the Slaves Policy Internship

Policy Internship
Organization Description
Free the Slaves (FTS) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to ending modern slavery worldwide. Founded in 2000, FTS partners with grassroots organizations in six countries to free people from slavery, help them rebuild their lives, and do what it takes to end slavery in their communities. Current partners include local anti-slavery organizations in Ghana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Brazil, India and Nepal. Informed by on-the-ground work and in-depth research, we then bring real-world solutions to policymakers and business leaders in the areas of policy, research, slave-free trade and communications, engage in high-profile advocacy campaigns on the federal and international level, and share compelling stories that inspire individuals to act and to build a global movement against slavery. FTS is headquartered in Washington DC.

Internship Program Description
The Free the Slaves internship program is a formal effort to develop and train future leaders of the anti-slavery movement. We seek to provide each participant with training and hands-on experience in various facets of anti-slavery work. The program operates out of the Washington, DC office of Free the Slaves on a semester system, with three sessions per year: Spring (January to May), Summer (June to August), and Fall (September to December). Participants are expected to participate in an orientation session at the beginning of each semester.

Internships are unpaid but students are often able to arrange academic credit, as Free the Slaves internships often offer direct exposure to the workings of an international human rights organization, close supervision by FTS staff, interaction with other U.S. and international organizations and foreign and domestic government officials, and opportunities to attend lectures, trainings, and special events relating to federal and international anti-slavery advocacy. Students should check with their individual academic institutions for requirements.

Policy Internship
The Programs Team at Free the Slaves (“FTS”) is seeking policy intern(s) to work closely with our policy team in support of our national and international policy efforts worldwide.
Tasks include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Write legislative summaries, website text and text for social media in support of advocacy goals.
• Support efforts to enact federal legislation requiring businesses to disclose what efforts if any they are taking to eliminate slavery from their supply chains and other business operations.
• Monitor anti-slavery and related activity within the U.S. government (Legislative and Executive branches) and potentially other advocacy targets. Attend relevant briefings and meetings in the international development and policy communities.
• Research domestic and international human rights law and policy relevant to FTS.
• Analyze proposed anti-slavery and anti-trafficking legislation.

All interns will assist in answering the phones and other general administrative and support duties as assigned.
Applicant Requirements

• All applicants must be either currently enrolled in, or a recent graduate of, an accredited college or university as a degree-seeking student.
• Recent graduates of post-graduate programs and students at the post-graduate level will be given preference.
• Successful applicants will have a demonstrated history of excellence in their studies and will be in pursuit of or a recipient of a degree within the following fields: law, public policy, international relations or affairs, international development, human rights, or another relevant field.
• Successful candidates will have a demonstrated history of interest and/or involvement in the anti-slavery or human rights movement.
• Applicants must have excellent written and oral communication skills, as well as a functioning knowledge of word processing within Microsoft Word.
• Applicants must be fluent in English, both written and orally. Additional language skills may be an advantage, especially French and Hindi.
• Applicants should be well organized, self-motivated and reliable and should be able to work well both independently and as a part of a team. Successful candidates will demonstrate a history of accepting direction, taking initiative, and working well with both supervisors and peers.

Application Directions
Please apply immediately by submitting via e-mail: a cover letter of interest; resume (highlighting experience in international human rights law and/or policy); a list of three references and/or letters of reference; a brief, unedited writing sample; and a current transcript to: interns@freetheslaves.net. Please use “Policy Intern: [Your Name]” as the subject line of your e-mail.

Free the Slaves is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices and, in order to build the strongest possible workforce, seeks a diverse applicant pool.

Timeline and Application Deadline
This internship will commence in June and end August 31^st. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, with priority given to applications received by April 2, 2012.