Mustafa Kassem Fellowship at Amnesty International

Description

Fellows will have the opportunity to work on federal advocacy on human rights issues in the Middle East and North Africa. The fellowship will take place in Washington, D.C., starting remotely, but in the Washington D.C. office of AIUSA once it is deemed safe to return to offices. The Mustafa Kassem Fellowship is a full-time fellowship and requires a minimum one year commitment.

The Mustafa Kassem Fellow will have the opportunity to develop and sharpen their US Government policy research, writing, and advocacy skills by working directly with AIUSA’s Advocacy Director for the Middle East and North Africa. The Fellow’s responsibilities may include, but are not limited to: 

○ Developing and implementing advocacy strategies and materials; 

○ Liaising with governmental bodies and officials to advance advocacy and legislative goals;

○ Conducting research on key pieces of legislation or other legislative activities; 

○ Attending and reporting on relevant Congressional briefings and hearings and relevant civil society events; 

○ Drafting memoranda, briefs, and other short-form analyses; 

○ Managing databases; 

○ Monitoring and analyzing emergent areas of relevant law and government policy; 

○ Representing AIUSA in speaking and media engagements; and 

○ Supporting AIUSA’s advocacy. 

The Fellow will also be responsible for researching and documenting issues related to U.S. foreign policy and human rights in a designated area of focus, as mutually determined with the Fellow and AIUSA. For the inaugural Mustafa Kassem Fellow, this area of focus should be related to the human rights situation in Egypt or Saudi Arabia. 

The Fellow will also have the opportunity to design and implement one long term project that will be completed over the length of the fellowship. The focus of that project will be decided once the fellow begins.

Requirements

Educational Background 

This Fellowship is open to those who have completed an undergraduate education, with some graduate education preferred. 

Skills/Experience

Applicants should possess the following: 

● Demonstrated familiarity with human rights in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and/or the broader Middle East and North Africa; 

● Familiarity with the U.S. legislative branch and relevant processes; 

● Excellent English-language written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills; 

● Excellent research skills; 

● Proactive problem-solving skills and strong attention to detail; 

● Proficiency in Arabic is a plus; 

● Experience with political advocacy and/or grassroots activism is also desirable.