ASYLUM INTERN, SPRING 2016

For nearly 30 years, Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) has used science and medicine to document and call attention to mass atrocities and severe human rights violations.

A Nobel Peace Prize co-laureate, PHR is a global organization founded on the idea that health professionals, with their specialized skills, ethical duties, and credible voices, are uniquely positioned to stop human rights violations. PHR’s investigations and expertise are used to advocate for the protection of persecuted health workers and medical facilities under attack, prevent torture, document mass atrocities, and hold those who violate human rights accountable.

For more information about PHR, please see our website at www.physiciansforhumanrights.org.

Internship Summary

The Asylum Intern will shadow/assist the Asylum Program Officer with day-to-day program activities as well as long-term data collection and retention projects. The Asylum Program recruits and trains volunteer health professionals to provide evaluations and affidavits to asylum seekers and other immigrants who must provide documentation of torture and abuse in order to prevail in their immigration applications. Hundreds of volunteer clinicians have helped thousands of survivors of human rights violations gain asylum and other kinds of permanent status in the United States

Responsibilities

The Asylum Intern may be involved in some or all of the following tasks and projects:

· Working closely with the Asylum Program Officer and team to develop and implement new systems to collect and report out the results of the Program’s work.

· Monitoring current events and developments in immigration law and detention policy.

· Drafting case summaries to be sent to clinicians interested in conducting evaluations.

· Reviewing and coding affidavits to identify trends and potential research topics.

· Assisting with data-entry and auditing tasks.

Qualifications and Experience

• Current enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate degree; program of study specializing in international development/relations, public policy, law, human rights, or related field preferred but not required.

• Demonstrated interest in and commitment to human rights, including immigrant rights

• Exceptional analytical, writing, and verbal communication skills

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively, effectively, and professionally

• Mature judgement, strong sense of integrity, initiative, and a self-starter

• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and follow-through

• Excellent communication, strategic thinking, and interpersonal skills

• Ability to maintain confidentiality

Location and Hours

• The Asylum intern will be based in PHR’s New York City Office.

• This is an unpaid internship and will require a minimum of 20 hours/week during the semester. PHR staff will assist with any paperwork required for institutional credit or external scholarships/fellowships.

• The position will require at least a 2-month commitment, with longer commitments preferred.

Physicians for Human Rights is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in its work and staff.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please send a cover letter and resume to resumes@phrusa.org. Include “Asylum Intern Spring 2016” in the subject line.