Access Policy Internship

Deadline: Rolling application 

About the Organization:

Access is an international human rights organization dedicated to defending and extending the digital rights of users at risk around the world. With offices in Brussels, New York, Santiago, Tunis, and Washington we combine innovative policy, user engagement, and direct technical support, and work globally with activists, civil society, and policymakers to build technical capacity and advocate for open and secure communications for all.

About the Internship:

A policy internship at Access is your chance to join our policy team working on emerging threats to digital rights and to connect with our global network of internet policy makers.

You’ll be partnered with a mentor (a member our policy team) who’ll provide the guidance and structure that will enable you to make the most out of your time working on one of today’s most pressing human rights challenges. While there’s a lot of flexibility in Access’ fast-paced working environment, you’ll generally be assigned to one of our key policy areas:

• Digital Due Process: By drafting government standards, training professionals and influencing private sector policies we’re fighting to protect users from unfair surveillance practices. 
• Telecoms and Human Rights: We engage with major telecom firms, regulators, investors, and the public to advocate for a rights-respecting telecommunications environment. 
• Internet Governance Reform: Internet governance gets at the heart of who should run the internet and how. Data Protection and Privacy: Out of our Belgium office we work on strengthening data protection standards and privacy norms in line with international human rights standards. 
• Network Neutrality: The Internet should be open and innovation encouraged! So we fight to ensure that ISP’s are not restricting access to it. 
• Latin America: In Latin America we support groups and activists in their fight for digital rights through campaigns and policy support. 

We’re seeking quick learners capable of quickly wrapping their head around and analyzing these issues, supporting the organization in the development and execution of these initiatives. As a part of our team, you can expect to:

• Gain experience and expertise in a specific policy area 
• Be mentored and trained by a member of our policy team 
• Research, write, and edit policy briefs and position papers (with your name on them!) 
• Prepare external and internal advocacy materials and write blog posts 
• Attend and contribute to our team meetings 
• Gain insight into how international NGOs work 

Qualifications

 A successful applicant will have an interest in at least one of the above policy areas and have a passion to learn more about technology and human rights. Ideally, candidates are enrolled in a university (or a recent graduate) of law, political science, international relations or with a technology background.

Being well organized, motivated, and reliable will also help your application, as will proven research and writing skills and fluency in a foreign language, but if you only speak English, that’s fine too.

Interns will ideally work out of our amazing New York City Office. However, due to our love of the internet, we’re happy to talk virtually and applicants will be considered from locations worldwide.

Time Commitment and considerations

• One full academic term (usually 3 to 4 months) 
• Minimum of 16-20 hours per week (more negotiable) 
• Start date ASAP, interns are accepted on a rolling basis until posiitons are filled. 
• This internship is unpaid, but we’ll gladly offer academic credit and assistance where possible. 

Application Requirements

To apply, email your CV, a cover letter explaining your interest in our work and two references (ideally an academic and a professional reference) to internships@accessnow.org. Please place “POLICY INTERN – [Your Name]” as the subject line.