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.

OFFICE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

About the Position.  Reporting to the General Counsel, the Office Administrative Assistant will have the primary responsibility for managing the processing, tracking and reporting of Commission expenses as incurred and against budget, including interfacing with appropriate GSA personnel and outside vendors, and ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of all Commission financial information.  Working in coordination with outside financial consultants, the Office Administrative Assistant will research and reconcile inquiries on expense items contained in GSA monthly reports.  The Office Administrative Assistant will also have responsibility for managing USCIRF’s internship program, for assisting with logistical and travel arrangements for Commission meetings, and for processing and confirming the accuracy of Commissioner expense reports and tracking reimbursement requests.  The Office Administrative Assistant will also be responsible for managing vendor relationships, information technology, human resources, payroll and finance matters on a day-to-day basis.  The Office Administrative Assistant will also be responsible for managing the maintenance and ordering of all office supplies, materials, and equipment, for handling the tracking of telephone calls to and visits by external parties to the Commission, for monitoring the receipt of mail, packages, and faxes, and distributing the same to intended recipients, for administering the Metro benefits program, for serving as the Commission representative on the Building Security Committee and handling related office security matters, for keeping accurate time and attendance of staff, and for such other duties that may be assigned to him or her by the General Counsel or the Executive Director.

The Commission seeks an individual with the following skills and experience: 

• Ability to work quickly and effectively under pressure
• Ability to multi-task
• Extreme attention to detail and excellent organizational skills
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Collegial demeanor and ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of, and facility with, accounting software such as Quicken and QuickBooks
• Knowledge of, and facility with, other software typically used in an office environment (Word, Excel, etc.)
• Experience with Feddesk (payroll program) preferred, but not required
• Knowledge of government procurement, travel and related federal regulations preferred, but not required

Candidates are encouraged to send or fax a cover letter, a resume, and three references to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or John G. Malcolm, General Counsel, United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, 800 North Capitol St., NW, Suite 790, Washington, DC 20002. Fax: 202-523-5020

INTERNSHIPS

The Commission is now accepting internship applications for Spring 2012.

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
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Willingness to work independently and with minimal supervision
• Interest in human rights and foreign policy
• Excellent writing and editing skills

Government Relations 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

• 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

Policy Department: Regional Policy Analysis Intern

• 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 work
• Assists with administrative duties, as needed

• At least three 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. Recent graduates and graduate students are encouraged to apply.
• 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.
• Fluency in a foreign language (particularly Mandarin Chinese, Russian, or Arabic) is preferred.

Most internships are part-time (20-30 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, 3-5 page writing sample, 2-3 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 in your cover letter and in the subject line of emailed applications.

Internship Program 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) This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The application deadlines for each semester are as follows:

Fall/Winter Semester: September - December
Application Deadline: July 1st

Spring Semester: January- May
Application Deadline: November 1st

Summer Semester: June - August
Application Deadline: February 1st