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).

The ideal candidate will have:

strong written and analytical skills, understands the /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.

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

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