Indigenous Peoples Rights Fellow

Job Summary

The Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Fellow (1 Year Fixed Term) will be housed in AIUSA’s Research and Programs Unit, reporting to the Gender, Sexuality and Identity Program Director. Research and Programs helps build the foundation for successful campaigns, advancing our short and long-term human rights agenda in the United States as it relates to domestic policy. You can read our report on the failure to protect Indigenous women from sexual violence here. The Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Fellow (1 Year Fixed Term) will have the opportunity to work on federal advocacy on human rights issues, specifically on efforts to end sexual violence against Indigenous women. The Fellow will also have one long-term project completed over the fellowship. 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 Peoples 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 • 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 • Strong analytical and project management skills, attention-to-detail, with an ability to multitask and manage multiple deadlines • Ability to embed inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) best practices into both strategy and operations Education and Experience • BA/BS and minimum of 5 years of relevant experience and/or sufficient relevant work experience • 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 • Experience 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 working organizing and implementing advocacy plans addressing human rights issues at the local, state and/or federal level related to Indigenous people in the USA Physical Requirements • Prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing at a desk and working on a computer Travel Requirements, Weeknight or Weekend Work • Ability to travel required to Washington D.C., e.g., staff retreats, meetings

COMPETENCY DEFINITIONS The following definitions provide an explanation of our core competency model and outline our general expectations for all roles. • Accountability - Owns actions and outcomes transparently. Follows through on commitments, acknowledges challenges, and acts with integrity. • Adaptability - Navigates change with flexibility, embracing new opportunities. Adjusts strategies, learns continuously, and supports others through transitions. • Collaboration - Builds effective teamwork by leveraging diverse strengths and fostering trust. Develops relationships internally and externally, as required, to achieve shared goals. • Communication - Exchanges information clearly and effectively, adapting communication to diverse audiences. Ensures understanding through active, respectful dialogue. • Execution - Delivers results by planning, prioritizing, and managing resources to meet goals efficiently. Transforms strategic objectives into practical, measurable actions. • Problem-Solving - Creates inclusive solutions by analyzing challenges from multiple perspectives. Applies critical thinking to develop innovative and practical approaches.

The ideal candidate will have: • strong written and analytical skills, understands the Washington policy/advocacy 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 Policy and Human Rights Experience (Indigenous Rights) • 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 Director of Gender, Sexuality and Identity, and other Amnesty International staff on issues related to human rights of Indigenous people in the USA Collaboration and Project Management • 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