Human Rights Accountability Legal Fellow

Individuals who are responsible for serious human rights abuses and corruption too rarely face consequences for their actions. Human Rights First’s Accountability program works in partnership with civil society groups around the world to employ innovative advocacy tools, including targeted sanctions, to promote accountability. We also advocate for governments to support and protect independent justice institutions, and we work to prevent the misuse of targeted sanctions and similar policy tools to attack such institutions, their personnel, and other people exercising their rights.

The Human Rights Accountability Legal Fellow will support the organization’s work focused on ensuring that the U.S. government respects its human rights obligations and promotes those of other governments. The fellow will report to the Senior Counsel for Accountability, and will contribute to our work promoting and facilitating the effective use of targeted sanctions as part of a global coalition of civil society organizations that we help coordinate. This coalition of more than 340 civil society groups works to shape and inform the use of human rights and anti-corruption sanctions by authorities in the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Canada, and Australia. This position will also be involved in our efforts to protect accountability institutions and human rights activists from attack by the Trump administration and other actors. 

The 12-month position begins in September 2027. Please note, applicants must secure funding from a law school, foundation, law firm, or other funding opportunity to support the fellowship. 

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Assist in Human Rights First's efforts to promote and facilitate the credible use of targeted human rights and anti-corruption sanctions under the Global Magnitsky sanctions program and other similar authorities, including working with other civil society groups to identify issues of concern.
• In coordination with the Accountability team and other NGOs, prepare recommendations identifying Global Magnitsky sanctions targets to the United States and other governments to quickly respond to developing human rights crises and identify advocacy opportunities to support the issuance of sanctions. 
• Work with the Accountability team to address time-sensitive issues related to emerging U.S. foreign policy and human rights issues, and conduct fact-finding and research on human rights and rule of law trends in the United States and relevant regions, as assigned.
• Participate in meetings and other advocacy with executive branch officials and members of Congress and their staff on Capitol Hill.
• Research and draft reports, blogs, op-eds, and other materials relating to the use of U.S. and other government sanctions tools and other accountability mechanisms, and the human rights implications of U.S. foreign policy and democratic backsliding.
• Assist in organizing public events related to the use of targeted human rights and anti-corruption sanctions.
• Update and develop resources related to targeted human rights and anti-corruption sanctions, such as recommendation templates, sanctions explainers, spreadsheets tracking sanctions designations, frequently asked questions, etc. 
• Assist in advising the U.S. and other governments or legislatures (e.g., in the European Union, Australia, UK, Canada, etc.) on how to design and implement legislation to mitigate against the misuse of targeted sanctions powers that undermine accountability institutions and mechanisms like the International Criminal Court.
• Other duties as requested based on program and organizational need. 

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND ACCESSIBILITY COMPETENCIES (DEIA)

Human Rights First acknowledges the existence of systemic and structural biases and believes it is necessary to be strategic and intentional in pursuing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in all aspects of governance, operations, and programming. As an employee, you are expected to:

• Support adoption of best practices to create a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible work experience for colleagues and external partners.
• Strive to consider the people, places, and cultures that might be missing from your work and look for opportunities to increase inclusivity in all the work you do.
• Support the mission of Human Rights First in all interactions with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Dedicate efforts to enriching DEIA consciousness throughout our office-wide interactions.
• Foster a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by promoting adherence to the standards delineated in the Culture of Respect and Teamwork statement in the Employee Handbook.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE:

• A U.S. law degree (J.D.), J.D. equivalent, or Master of Laws (L.L.M) degree in a relevant field from an accredited U.S. law school, or enrollment in a program working toward completion of one of these degrees by August 2027
• Strong legal and policy research and writing skills, including the ability to monitor and analyze relevant national and international policy and legal developments
• Demonstrated ability to translate highly technical material for a variety of audiences, ranging from government investigators to congressional staff to readers of mainstream newspapers and specialized blogs
• Prior experience in human rights or anti-corruption-related law and/or advocacy, with a preferred focus on international human rights law, domestic human rights legislation, and policy 
• Project management experience, strong organizational and interpersonal skills, and coordinate efforts internally with colleagues and with outside partners
• A strong work ethic, demonstrated capacity to take initiative, and time management skills to handle multiple tasks and projects. 
• A sense of humor and ability to work collegially with other staff members 
• Ability to communicate patiently, respectfully, and empathetically with individuals from a variety of backgrounds, including survivors of trauma or family members of political prisoners
• High level of integrity and discretion in handing sensitive information
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with civil society, government agencies, Congressional offices, etc.
• Foreign language skills are preferred, but not required
• Authorization to work in the United States

Position is based in either Washington, D.C. or New York City.

Salary Range $65,000 - $70,000.

APPLICATION MATERIALS:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Two writing samples (one legal writing sample and one shorter, policy-oriented sample preferred, ideally related to human rights and/or corruption)
• List of three professional references (may include academic references although at least one must be from a legal internship, externship, or professional position)