STAFF/INTERN/VOLUNTEER JOB DESCRIPTIONS
Thank you very much for your interest in volunteer and internship positions at Human Rights Now. Please see the following descriptions for the specific tasks and responsibilities for each volunteer and internship position. We will contact you as soon as possible upon receiving your applications. [OR] Please note that only the applicants who are short-listed will be contacted.
If you have any questions, please contact us at info@hrn.or.jp
Internship
The internship positions at Human Rights Now are unpaid but do not require previous experience working for a human rights organization. The internship positions are available in Tokyo, New York, and Geneva. HRN is seeking interns for the following positions:
[Administrative Interns]
HRN is seeking for administrative interns in the following areas:
Chief English Editor
Chief English Editor is responsible for coordinating volunteers and watching over the progress of articletranslations. He/she will also check the final products before the articles are posted on the website.
Intern/Volunteer Coordinator
Intern/Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for coordinating and developing intern and volunteer programs for native English speakers.
Social Media Coordinator
Social Media Coordinator is responsible for maintaining social media tools and managing mailing list.
[Research intern at Tokyo office]
Research interns may choose one research area from six different topics listed below.
1. Human rights situation in Asia (three people)
General tasks include but not limit to: conduct research on human rights situation in Burma, Philippines, Cambodia, and other countries in Asia; draft statements and translate relevant documents; contact relevant local NGOs in Japan and arrange meetings; and assist staff at field research when necessary.
2. Research on the United Nations Human Rights Council (two people)
General tasks include but not limit to: collect information about the latest actions taken by the UN and the UN Human Rights Council, and report findings to HRN to be reflected on the future advocacy activities.
3. Research on policies on ODA in Japan (one person)
The tasks include but not limit to: conduct general research about Japan’s ODA policies to strengthen the advocacy activities.
4. Research and advocacy on the government of Japan (Three people)
Tasks include but not limit to: research on international standard of human rights; draft statements on policy proposals made by the Japanese government; translate articles and statements; research on the current situation of the victims of the Great East Japan earthquake; communicate with the local groups, and draft reports.
5. Women’s rights (two people)
The tasks include but not limit to: research facts about the violence against women as well as the legal systems that are causing such violence; report updates regarding improvements in such systems; draft statements and translate relevant articles and statements; communicate with the local NGOs, and assist staff at field research if necessary.
6. Children’s rights (two people)
The tasks include but not limit to: collect information about the violation of children’s rights at domestic and international levels; networking, conduct research; draft statements and translate relevant articles and statements; assist staff at field research if necessary.
[Eligibility]
• This is an unpaid internship, and there will be no funds available to cover intern’s expenses including transportation.
• Must be able to work at least 2 days a week from 10am to 5pm. (If you are available to work more than 18 hours a week, please let us know.)
• Must be available to work for minimum six months.
• Must be able to commute to the Human Rights Now Tokyo Office located in Tokyo.
[Requirements]
• Basic understanding of law and international human rights law.
• Proficiency in English (minimum 90 on TOEFL iBT).
• Excellent writing and research skills.
[Note]
The research interns who show high capability may be listed as a co-author in our publications, and/or given a paid opportunity to conduct research.
[Public relations, fundraising and event planning intern at Tokyo office]
The tasks include but not limit to: advertise HRN’s efforts, make press releases, plan and prepare for events, and participate in fundraising events.
[Eligibility]
• This is an unpaid internship, and there will be no funds available to cover intern’s expenses including transportation.
• Must be available to work at least 2 days a week from 10am to 5pm.
• Must be available to work for minimum 6 months.
• Must be able to commute to the Human Rights Now Tokyo Office located in Tokyo.
[Requirements]
• Excellent communication skills.
• Basic knowledge/skills on computer.
• Creativity.
• One of the three interns should be proficient in English (minimum 90 on TOEFL iBT).
Intern/volunteer at New York office (three people)
The tasks include but not limit to: lobby government representatives on human rights issues; attend meetings to promote the decisions of the UN General Assembly as well as the Security Council about human rights issues; attend meetings with the NGO Committee and answer questions; take notes at meetings.
Other tasks include translation, research, data collection, responding to media, and build network with NGOs.
[Eligibility]
• This is an unpaid internship, and there will be no funds available to cover intern’s expenses including transportation.
• Must be available to work at least 2 days a week from 10am to 5pm (If you can work more than 18 hours a week, please let us know).
• Must be available to work for minimum 6 months.
• Must be able to commute to the Human Rights Now New York Office located in Manhattan.
• Preference is given to the applicants who are able to work several consecutive days when releva
nt meetings are in session at the UN Headquarters.
nt meetings are in session at the UN Headquarters.
* Please note that HRN cannot assist interns in obtaining visa.
[Requirements]
• Basic understanding of law, international human rights law, and the UN system
• Proficiency in English, oral communication skill is especially crucial (minimum 90 on TOEFL iBT)
• Ability to discuss relevant topics using technical terms in English.
Intern at Geneva office (three people)
The tasks include but are not limited to: attend meeting at the Human Rights Council and other relevant organizations; make talking points, report to Tokyo office, contribute to the lobbying efforts, and draft statements and assist in distributing them. Other tasks include translation, research, data collection, responding to media, and building network with NGOs.
[Eligibility]
• This is an unpaid internship, and there will be no funds available to cover intern’s expenses including transportation.
• Must be available to work at least 2 days a week from 10am to 5pm (If you can work more than 18 hours a week, please let us know.)
• Must be available to work for minimum 6 months.
• Must be able to commute to the Human Rights Now Geneva Office.
*Please note that HRN cannot assist interns in obtaining visa.
[Requirements]
• Basic understanding of law, international human rights law, and the UN system.
• Proficiency in English, oral communication skill is especially crucial (minimum 90 on TOEFL iBT).
• Ability to discuss relevant topics using technical terms in English.
[Note]
Human Rights Now may ask our knowledgeable members who live in Europe to attend related meetings held in Geneva, give a presentation, build network, and engage in lobbying activities. If you attend meetings from other countries in Geneva, we will reimburse the transportation expenses.
How to apply internship
To apply, please send us 1) resume (if you are apply for an internship position in New York or Geneva, please provide your resume in both Japanese and English), 2) a cover letter, 3) a writing sample (the topic of the sample is up to the applicants) as attached documents via email to info@hrn.or.jp. After the initial screening, selected applicants will be contacted and interviewed at Tokyo office. If you are applying for an internship position in other locations other than Tokyo, an interview will be held via phone or Skype.
[Volunteer]
Volunteer position at HRN does not require full-time commitment as the work load varies on a case by case basis. HRN is seeking for volunteers in the following fields:
Translator/Editor (Engligh-Japanese/Japanese-English)
Grammar Checker (English)
[Conditions/Requirements]
• Proficiency in English (minimum 90 on TOEFL iBT).
• Basic understanding of international human rights law.
• Experience in both English-Japanese and Japanese-English translation.
[Note]
For the grammar checker internship position, an applicant must originate in an English-speaking country.
Office Volunteer
HRN is seeking for volunteers to complete administrative tasks including filing, data entry, receiving and placing mails and answering inquiries. Preference is given to the applicants who are able to work at least 1 day per week for minimum 3 hours between 10am to 8pm at Human Rights Now office in Tokyo. Basic knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel, as well as past work experience at an office setting is a plus.
Information Technology Volunteer
HRN is recruiting volunteers who can help us with the development of our website. IT volunteers should be able to work at the office in Tokyo for minimum 3 hours on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday after 5pm. The volunteers also must possess strong knowledge about computer and internet. Experience on homepage designing is a plus.
Event Planning Volunteer
HRN is also recruiting volunteers who can help us plan and organize events with creative ideas. The event planning volunteers must be able to take notes, take photos, record at the events. The volunteers must be able to work at the office in Tokyo at least 1 day per week after 5pm as well as Saturdays and other days when events take place. We are also interested in recruiting volunteers with unique skills. Please let us know if you have any ideas about how we may be able to collaborate with you.
How to apply for the volunteer positions
To apply, please send us 1) cover letter, 2) current resume, and 3) a writing sample as attached documents via email to info@hrn.or.jp. In the email, please indicate the number of hours that you are available to work.