International Human Rights Fellow

Perseus Strategies – a public interest law firm based in Washington DC – seeks a full-time Human Rights Fellow to assist with the firm’s work.  This is a two-year position, with the possibility of extension.

The Fellow will support the firm’s work on a diverse portfolio of clients and projects through research, writing, communications, client relations, and administrative work as needed.  Specific responsibilities would include (1) taking lead on substantial research and writing projects, such as legal submissions to international human rights bodies, white papers, books on human rights topics, thematic reports, press releases, op-eds, and speeches; (2) developing and implementing government affairs and media strategies for clients, including participating in meetings with key stakeholders, such as media, NGO staff, heads of international organizations, Members of Congress, and other government officials; (3) leading communications with clients, in coordination with the Managing Director; and (4) identifying opportunities for the firm to expand its reach.  Administrative responsibilities would include coordinating client meetings (e.g., at the White House, State Department, Embassies, non-governmental organizations, and on Capitol Hill), tracking and sending out relevant news articles, and training and supervising interns.

Perseus Strategies is a public-interest law and consulting firm in Washington, D.C. focused on serving clients in the international human rights, corporate social responsibility, and humanitarian spaces (www.perseus-strategies.com).  It was founded by Jared Genser (University of Michigan Law School J.D.; Harvard Kennedy School MPP; Cornell B.S.) who also founded the independent non-profit organization Freedom Now (www.freedom-now.org), which works to free prisoners of conscience worldwide. 

At its core, Perseus Strategies is a public-interest law firm, providing legal advisory services to individuals, governments, companies, and international and non-profit organizations.  Perseus Strategies’ mission is to have a positive impact on the world and to help its clients achieve breakthrough results addressing their toughest challenges.  Its expertise includes major international human-rights treaties and standards; United Nations and Organization of American States (OAS) bodies; and thematic areas, including arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, torture, mass atrocity crimes, the responsibility to protect doctrine, and international parental child abduction.  Examples of recent clients and thematic work include securing the release of two presidential candidates imprisoned by the Ortega regime in Nicaragua; assisting the Secretary-General of the Organization of American States in developing a regional system to prevent and respond to mass atrocities in the Americas; co-editing a major new book on the future of the UN human rights system with former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein; advising the Neurorights Foundation on efforts to ensure that international law and national legal frameworks protect against the misuse and abuse of neurotechnologies; and supporting a non-profit advocating for the adoption of new global standards on the reintegration of former prisoners back into society at the United Nations.

Position Requirements/Preferred Skills 

This position requires exceptional research and writing skills, and the International Human Rights Fellow must be able to produce excellent written material under tight deadlines.  The ideal candidate will be highly motivated, have strong interpersonal skills, and work quickly under pressure, both independently and as a member of a team. A demonstrated commitment to international human rights – through coursework, work/internship experience, publications, or otherwise – is required.  Professional proficiency in Spanish (speaking/reading/writing) is preferred.

We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Perseus Strategies does not discriminate on the basis of disability, age, gender identity, and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal record. We welcome all kinds of diversity.  Perseus Strategies is an equal opportunity employer.

Salary:  $50,000

Location:  This position is fully remote, but the fellow is required to be working and available during DC work hours.

To apply:  Please submit a resume, cover letter, transcript, writing sample (no more than 10 pages), and two references to info@perseus-strategies.com (please use subject line “International Human Rights Fellow”) or submit these materials on Handshake. 

Deadline:  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.