INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS Spring Intern (WPF)
Posted on February 12, 2018
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.
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)
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.