Scholarship for Politics | ReliefWeb

LOCATION: Washington, DC (or other location)

Position summary

The Syria Justice and Accountability Centre (SJAC) seeks a qualified candidate for a paid research fellowship for the fall semester, with the possibility of an extension, to conduct research and analysis that supports SJAC’s justice policy program. SJAC’s justice policy program has three goals: to provide justice and accountability stakeholders with up-to-date information and analysis on justice and accountability processes; to develop actionable and effective recommendations that have the potential to address the human rights violations against Syrians; while incorporating Syrian perspectives into policymaking and implementation.

The Policy Fellow will be responsible for researching various human rights issues in Syria, producing related written materials, and assisting in expanding SJAC’s presence on Capitol Hill. Successful applicants will be knowledgeable about federal legislation and policy, passionate about human rights, and able to research and write on their assigned topics.

The Policy Fellow will work 10-15 hours per week and will be paid $25 per hour, with the opportunity to work additional hours based on the needs of the Fellow and SJAC. SJAC prefers applicants from the greater Washington, DC area, but will accept applications remotely. Applicants from the greater DC area will have the opportunity to work from SJAC’s DC office.

General duties and responsibilities

• Conduct research on transitional justice processes and human rights related to Syria. Research topics may include sanctions, humanitarian aid, refugee policy, and more.
• Work with the Policy Officer to develop an outreach strategy to expand SJAC’s presence on Capitol Hill and also analyze the impact of current and potential federal legislation.
• Support us in drafting policy papers, briefs and other written materials on the political challenges in the Syrian context.
• Assist with administrative tasks such as conducting public relations work, scheduling relevant meetings, planning logistics for potential events, and more.

Skills and experience

• Current student or recent graduate of an advanced degree program with a focus in public policy, international affairs, Middle Eastern studies, law, or related fields.
• University graduates with a BA degree who have significant research and/or practical experience may also be considered.
• Work experience or knowledge of the Middle East, the Syrian context, and federal legislative processes in the United States.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Professional knowledge of Arabic is an advantage.

SJAC is a diverse organization with over 50 team members from around the world. We pride ourselves on our ability to implement programs that are inclusive and responsive to the needs of all Syrians, and believe that the diversity of perspectives and experiences within our own team helps us achieve this goal. We encourage all interested applicants to apply, regardless of race, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or age.