The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to monitor the status of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief abroad, as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and related international instruments, and to give independent policy recommendations to the President, Secretary of State, and Congress. The Commission is an equal opportunity employer.
EMPLOYMENT
ANNOUNCEMENT
The United States Commission on International Religious
Freedom, a bipartisan Federal governmental body headquartered in Washington,
DC, is interviewing prospective candidates to join our senior executive team. The three available positions are:
Director of Research and Policy
Director of Government Relations
General Counsel
The positions require excellent
interpersonal skills, the ability to produce polished written product,
management ability, high level analytical thinking, and the ability to work
effectively in a balanced, bipartisan manner. Further:
The Director of Research and Policy position requires strong research skills,
policy experience, a terminal degree (JD or PhD), and substantive knowledge in
the area of foreign affairs and human rights including religious freedom;
The Director of Government Relations position requires detailed knowledge of, and
experience with, the federal legislative process and strong working
relationships on Capitol Hill; and
The General Counsel position requires outstanding legal skills and an interest in
and knowledge of international human rights institutions and instruments.
About the Commission
The impact of religion in international affairs and U.S. foreign policy
has grown markedly in recent years. The
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, a bipartisan independent
federal commission created by Congress in 1998, is the only independent government
body in the world focused principally on monitoring and advancing the
internationally recognized freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief
and related human rights. It is also the
only international human rights commission in the United States government.
Established by Congress as part of the International
Religious Freedom Act of 1998, the Commission’s primary responsibilities are to
make foreign policy recommendations to the President and Congress related to
the status and impact of freedom of religion or belief around the world. Since its establishment, the Commission has
generated key policy recommendations that have been incorporated into U.S.
foreign policy with respect to dozens of issues and countries, including
recommendations concerning the newly drafted constitutions of Iraq and
Afghanistan; the global exportation of an ideology of hatred and intolerance by
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; human rights abuses and repression by China,
Russia, Burma, Iran and others; and the long-term conflict in Sudan. The Commission’s activities include
disseminating information to the public and to policymakers through
op-editorials, press statements and policy briefs; participating in
Congressional hearings; convening public
hearings and expert briefings; engaging in overseas diplomatic visits and
inquiries; engaging with Administration officials, members of Congress, think
tanks and policy experts; participating in multilateral fora such as the UN and
OSCE; and generating expert studies on critical issues, such as a recent
award-winning study on the expedited removal process for U.S. asylum seekers
and the first study of religious freedom conditions in North Korea based on
refugee interviews.
The bipartisan Commission is comprised of nine private
citizens who are appointed for their expertise in law, human rights, and
international affairs by the President and the leadership of both parties in
the Senate and the House of Representatives; the Ambassador at Large for
International Religious Freedom at the U.S. State Department serves as an
ex-officio, non-voting member.
The Commission is an equal opportunity employer.
Candidates are encouraged to send or fax a cover letter,
a resume, a writing sample and three references to:
Jacqueline Mitchell, United States Commission on
International Religious Freedom, 800 North Capitol St., NW, Suite 790,
Washington, DC 20002. Fax: 202-523-5020
INTERNSHIPS
***All Fall 2008 internship positions have been filled. Thank you for your interest.***
Communications Department Intern:
Creates daily press clips for distribution to USCIRF Commissioners and
staff, as well as to select individuals at the White House and State
Department
Maintains and expands database of media, non-governmental organization, think tank, academia, and religious contacts
Helps prepare materials for distribution to the public and press. This includes press releases, policy briefs, newsletters, and reports
Helps organize and provide logistical support for events such as press conferences, public hearings, and speaking engagements
Provides general administrative support as needed
Eligible candidates should have:
At least two years of undergraduate study completed
Willingness to do administrative work
Desire to be a team player
Attention to detail and strong organizational skills
Interest in human rights and foreign policy
Excellent writing and editing skills
Government Affairs Department Intern:
Tracks foreign policy statements, human rights legislation, and relevant policy publications
Attends and reports on Congressional hearings
Reviews relevant government agency websites and publications daily
Researches actions taken by and platforms of Members of Congress and Congressional committees and organizations
Provides general administrative support as needed
Eligible candidates should:
Be recent college graduates, college seniors or students enrolled in a graduate program, with an interest in government affairs, foreign policy or a related field.
Possess excellent writing and comprehension skills
Be familiar with Microsoft Office, including Excel
Policy Department: Legal Research Intern
Conducts research on a variety of international human rights and comparative law topics, as assigned
Eligible candidates should be:
At least second-year law students or recent law graduates with coursework or experience in constitutional law, international affairs, human rights, religious affairs, or a related field
Familiar with legal research techniques and the Microsoft Office suite.
Ability in Arabic is helpful, but not required
Interested in the field of international human rights
Researches a variety of international religious freedom and human rights issues, with a focus in one or more of the following world regions:
Africa
East Asia
Europe and Central Asia
Middle East
South Asia
Assists in preparations for meetings, roundtables, Commission travel, and other events
Possesses demonstrable knowledge of a particular world region
Attends meetings at the Commission with international visitors and other groups interested in the Commission's work
Attends and reports on public hearings and other events around D.C. on issues relevant to the Commission's workAssists with administrative duties, as needed
Eligible candidates should have:
At least two years of undergraduate study completed with coursework or experience in public policy, international affairs, political sciences, human rights, religious affairs, government affairs, or a related field.Academic background in the desired world region(s) of study
Willingness to do administrative work.
Familiarity with the Microsoft Office suite. Knowledge of Microsoft Access is a plus.
Knowledge of foreign language useful, but not necessary.
Most internships are part-time (15-20 hours) and all are unpaid. Course credit is available. The Commission does not provide housing or pay moving expenses, however, will do provide a transport stipend to cover the costs of transport to and from the Commission.
To apply for an internship, please e-mail, fax or mail a resume with references and a cover letter explaining your qualifications and why you would like to intern at the Commission. Please specify for which internship you are applying.
Internship Program c/o Bridget Kustin
United States Commission on International Religious Freedom
800 North Capitol Street, NW, Suite 790
Washington, DC 20002
(PH) 202-523-3240; (FAX) 202-523-5020; (EMAIL)
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The application deadlines for each semester are as follows:
Fall/Winter Semester: September - December
Application Deadline: August 15th
Spring Semester: January- May
Application Deadline: December 15th
Summer Semester: June - August
Application Deadline: April 15th
