INTERNSHIPS
Organization Background
Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Human Rights (UAF) is an international public foundation based in Boulder, Colorado that promotes the human rights of women and girls through global programs of Rapid Response Grantmaking (RRG) and Research and Publications (RP), and by encouraging or initiating collaborative projects that support women who are striving to promote and protect the rights and interests of women and girls. Urgent Action Fund is an activist-led organization with an international Board of Directors that provides unique insight to the women's human rights movement worldwide. Commitment of 10 hours per week for at least 30 consecutive weeks (two semesters/one full academic year) is required for all internships.
We are currently hiring for the Development and/or Communication Internship Program. If you are interested in applying, please send your completed application form, resume, and one writing sample (if you are applying for the Development position) and three writing samples (if you are applying for the Communications position) to Kris Abrams, Development and Communications Officer at urgentact@urgentactionfund.org. Position open until filled; applications will be accepted until September 15 (hint: apply ASAP!).
Fundraising & Development Internship
Internship Description
The Development internship is an unpaid position and we generally seek students working for college credit; however, we will also accept applications from non-students or those who are not seeking college credit with a firm commitment to this position of at least 6 months. The internship requires a commitment of at least 10 hours per week. The Development Intern will work with UAF’s Development Officers for Philanthropic Partnerships and Individual Giving to assist in fundraising from individual donors and institutional partners, including major US foundations and European government agencies. This is a unique opportunity to gain experience in both sides of development – foundations and individual giving – and to work one-on-one with professional staff experienced in both fields. Interns in this position may expect to gain experience in donor research and cultivation and the administration of a nonprofit fundraising department, insight into not-for-profit management and organizational development, and an opportunity to conduct research related to women’s human rights.
Duties and Responsibilities
• Enter data precisely and accurately into development database;
• File records;
• Research prospective foundations and individual donors;
• Conduct research for foundation proposals and reports;
• Draft proposals, reports, donor cultivation letters, thank you letters, and other donor communications;
• Plan and produce fun fundraising events;
• Assist with scheduling for development travel;
• Keep meticulous records of all research conducted including entering information in database;
Perform other administrative tasks as needed;
Other duties and projects as assigned.
Qualifications
• Outstanding organizational skills, time management skills, and attention to detail a must;
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills;
• Excellent computer skills, especially in Word and Excel;
• Excellent internet research skills;
• Database experience a plus;
• Proven ability to work independently, maintain flexibility while handling multiple projects on various timelines, and also comfortable working as part of a team in a collaborative environment;
• Demonstrate respect and an appreciation for diverse communities;
• An eagerness to learn various approaches to fundraising and the administrative tasks that support fundraising
• A willingness to look at one’s own cultural baggage around money, and to get beyond it in the service of a just cause, and the willingness to conceive of moving financial resources from the United States to disenfranchised communities around the world as an act of social justice;
• A commitment to international women’s human rights, social justice, and the mission of UAF.
Communications Internship
Internship Description
The Communications internship is an unpaid position and we generally seek students working for college; however, we will also accept applications from non-students or those who are not seeking college credit with a firm commitment to this position of at least 6 months. The internship requires a commitment of 10 hours per week. This position works with UAF’s Communications, Development and Grantmaking staff to assist in developing communications materials for the public, donors, media outlets, colleague organizations and grantees. S/he will learn about nonprofit communications and fundraising practices from an experienced Development and Communications team.
Duties and Responsibilities
• Read grant applications and create pithy, politically savvy summaries of recent grants (this may include internet research into the issue, region or grantee);
• Research and write articles to be published in UAF’s e-newsletter and on UAF’s website;
• Draft one-page “What’s Hot” summaries of UAF’s recent work, which includes:
o Coordinating with grantmaking and other departments to gather information,
o Researching women’s human rights issues,
• Assist with conceiving, producing and writing other outreach materials, including one-pagers on issue areas (for example: Women, Land and Environment; Women and Peace; and so on), brochures, and more;
• Work with staff to develop and execute a social media strategy;
• Perform administrative tasks as needed;
• Other duties and projects as assigned.
Qualifications
• Strong writing skills: ability to write about complex political issues sensitively, powerfully, and in a way that makes them accessible to a broad audience;
• Excellent internet research skills;
• Experience using social media for a cause;
• Outstanding organizational skills, time management skills, and attention to detail;
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills;
• Strong computer skills, especially in Word;
• Skills and experience in journalism, creating outreach materials, and graphic design are plusses
• Proven ability to work independently, maintain flexibility while handling multiple projects on various timelines, and also comfortable working as part of a team in a collaborative environment;
• Demonstrate respect and an appreciation for diverse communities;
• A commitment to international women’s human rights, social justice, and the mission of UAF.
Research and Publications Internships
Internship Description
The RP internship is an unpaid position and we generally seek students working for college credit; however, we will also accept applications from non-students or those who are not seeking college credit. The internship requires a commitment of up to 10 hours per week. This position works with UAF’s RP Coordinator and Office Coordinator to organize the RP Program, including the coordination of the logistics for producing and distributing publications, meetings and workshops UAF and management of administrative tasks. S/he assists with ensuring that RPA program functions are efficient and responsive to the needs of the organization.
Interns in this position may expect to gain experience in event planning and coordination of logistical details for international meetings and gatherings, opportunity to actively support the women’s human rights movement, insight into not-for-profit management and organizational development, experience in program development, and exposure to primary research related to women’s human rights which may include the impact of U.S. ‘counterterrorism measures’ on philanthropy and activism, and/or bringing together women activists and policymakers.
Duties and Responsibilities
• Assist with the coordination of translation, design and distribution of UAF publications
• Manage publication distribution lists, including database updates;
• Provide logistical support for related program activities, including contracts, travel and meeting/workshop arrangements, shipping, printing, etc;
• Assist with management of project budgets;
• Perform administrative tasks for the program;
• Other duties and projects as assigned. The responsibilities may change as the program evolves over the time period outlined above.
Qualifications
• Some experience in an administrative position;
• Outstanding organizational skills, time management skills, and attention to detail a must;
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills;
• Excellent computer skills, preferably in a Mac environment, and advanced knowledge of Word and Excel;
• Proven ability to work independently, maintain flexibility while handling multiple projects on various timelines, and also comfortable working as part of a team in a collaborative environment;
• Demonstrate respect and an appreciation for diverse communities;
• A commitment to international women’s human rights, social justice, and the mission of UAF.
If you are interested in pursuing an R&P internship with Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Human Rights, please send your completed application form, resume, and a writing sample to Marcy Wells, Research and Publications Coordinator at urgentact@urgentactionfund.org.
Grantmaking Internships
Internship Description
Grantmaking internships at Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights (UAF) provide the opportunity to work in the dynamic women’s rights movement on a global scale. The work is challenging, yet the UAF environment is one that fosters support and builds leadership capacity.
This year UAF will recruits for these positions in August/September, and priority is given to those who can commit to a year long internship.
Duties and Responsibilities
Internships within the grantmaking program require flexibility and dedication. Participants in the internship program are responsible for supporting the grantmaking team by writing and editing grant and post grant summaries; researching potential outreach destinations, international human rights organizations, and current affairs; completing light administrative work; and other unforeseen needs that may arise.
Qualifications
UAF receives requests from around the world and preferences will be given to those candidates who are proficient in Russian, Modern Standard Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, or other languages relevant to UAF’s grantmaking.
Qualified candidates must have very strong communication skills, demonstrating exceptional writing and editing. Good organizational skills and attention to detail required. Familiarity with international issues is helpful, as is a demonstrated interest in women’s rights and social justice issues. Relevant language ability is an advantage. Sensitivity, flexibility, and a good sense of humor are important personal qualities, as is a respect for diversity. UAF expects a high level of responsibility from participants in its internship programs, as well as discretion with confidential information.
Commitment of 10 hours per week for at least 30 consecutive weeks (two semesters/one full academic year) is required for all internships.
