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
Executive Director
The Commission seeks an
Executive Director with both expertise in and commitment to the policy goals of
the Commission.
The Executive Director will have principal responsibility directing the day-to-day operations of the Commission, managing its staff, as well as overseeing its budget and the drafting and production of its reports and statements. Working with the Commissioners and senior staff members of the Commission, the Executive Director will develop and implement a strategic plan for the Commission’s activities. Possessing excellent managerial, interpersonal, and communication skills, the Executive Director will also routinely interact with Commissioners, staff, members of Congress and senior Administration officials, and a diverse constituency of human rights, foreign policy and religious groups.
The Commission seeks an individual with the following skills and experience:
Foreign policy expertise;
Excellent research, analytical, writing, and managerial skills and experience;
Understanding of the international human rights instruments;
Experience developing creative policy ideas and their strategic implementation;
Ability to develop strong relationships with Commissioners, congressional leadership and senior congressional staff, as well as with senior Administration officials;
Capacity to develop and implement, under the direction of the Commission members, a far-reaching and dynamic strategic plan for the Commission’s activities; and
Ability to execute activities of the Commission, including travel abroad by Commissioners and staff, public events, press statements, and research activities, all with the aim of developing policy recommendations and then generating necessary levels of public awareness to advance these recommendations appropriately.
The Commission also seeks an Executive Director with both expertise in and commitment to the policy goals of the Commission. This position has been designated the equivalent of an Executive Schedule (EX) V for purposes of compensation, with federal government benefits. The position is available immediately, and the Commission intends to fill it as soon as possible.
Interested parties should send resumes with cover letter to:
Leonard A. Leo
Chair
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
800 North Capitol Street, N.W.
Suite 790
Washington DC 20002
FAX: (202) 786-0621
Email:
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The Commission is an equal opportunity employer.
Policy Analyst (Middle East)
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom is accepting applications for a Policy Analyst fluent in speaking, reading and writing Arabic. Responsibilities will include monitoring developments in U.S. foreign policy and conditions of religious freedom and related human rights in the Near Eastern region, with a specific focus on Iraq; developing policy recommendations to promote respect for human rights, including religious freedom, and monitoring the implementation of those recommendations; analyzing the successes and failures of U.S. policy; drafting briefing materials, reports, correspondence, and testimony; interacting with representatives of religious communities and other non-governmental organizations, State Department and other U.S. government officials, foreign delegations, and academic and other experts; preparing briefing materials; and organizing Commission missions abroad, private briefings, public hearings, and conferences. Regional experience and a graduate degree preferred. Please send cover letter and resumes to Jacqueline Mitchell at
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. For further information about the Commission, please visit our Web site at www.uscirf.gov. NO PHONE CALLS.
Policy Analyst (South Asia)
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom is accepting applications for a Policy Analyst focusing on religious freedom issues in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. Responsibilities will include monitoring developments in U.S. foreign policy and conditions of religious freedom and related human rights in the these three countries; developing policy recommendations to promote respect for human rights, including religious freedom, and monitoring the implementation of those recommendations; analyzing the successes and failures of U.S. policy; drafting briefing materials, reports, correspondence, and testimony; interacting with representatives of religious communities and other non-governmental organizations, State Department and other U.S. government officials, foreign delegations, and academic and other experts; preparing briefing materials; and organizing Commission missions abroad and other events, including private briefings, public hearings, and conferences. Regional experience and a graduate degree preferred. Knowledge of local languages a plus. Please send cover letter and resumes to Jacqueline Mitchell at
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. For further information about the Commission, please visit our Web site at http://www.uscirf.gov/. NO PHONE CALLS.
Research and Administration Position
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is recruiting for a research/administrative position to support the Director for Policy and Research. This individual will be responsible for assisting with briefing materials and meeting preparation, managing interns and their selection, maintaining the Director's calendar and meeting schedule, and providing general administrative support to the USCIRF's Policy Department, in addition to performing other office related tasks. The individual will also undertake research projects on issues concerning religious freedom and related human rights in countries of concern as assigned by the Director.
The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, possess a proficient working knowledge in Microsoft Office products, Internet researching, and database management, and be able to work in a fast paced environment. Strong verbal and written communication skills, excellent organizational and multitasking abilities, as well as a professional demeanor with a positive attitude are required.
The candidate will also have demonstrated research skills and experience in examining issues concerning religious freedom in foreign countries. Work experience in this field is an asset.
The Commission is an independent federal commission created by Congress to monitor religious freedom throughout the globe and make recommendations to the President, Secretary of State, and Congress. Commission employees are federal government employees. This position has full benefits and competitive compensation. Please send cover letter and resumes to Jacqueline Mitchell at
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For further information about the Commission, please visit our Web site at www.uscirf.gov. NO PHONE CALLS.
INTERNSHIPS
The Commission is now accepting internship applications for Summer 2010.
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
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 work
Assists with administrative duties, as needed
Eligible candidates should have:
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 c/o Walter DeSocio
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 1st
Spring Semester: January- May
Application Deadline: December 1st
Summer Semester: June - August
Application Deadline: April 1st
