Advocates for Youth PAID policy internship position

Title: Policy Intern

Organizational Description:  Advocates for Youth, a bold and innovative non-profit based in Washington, DC, works both nationally and internationally to advocate for policies and programs that help young people make informed and responsible decisions about their reproductive and sexual health. Since 1980, Advocates has provided information, training, and strategic assistance to youth-serving organizations, policy makers, youth activists, and the media in the United States and in low- and middle-income countries. Advocates’ philosophy of Rights.Respect.Responsibility.® informs all of its work. The organization promotes youth rights to sexual health information and services, models youth-adult partnerships in all its efforts, and holds society responsible for its role in providing young people with all of the information and the tools they need to make responsible decisions about their sexual health. 

 

General Description:  Advocates for Youth is dedicated to creating programs and promoting policies which help young people make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual and reproductive health. We provide information, training, and advocacy to youth-serving organizations, policy makers, and the media in the U.S. and internationally. Interns support this mission and are treated as contributing staff members.

Federal policy staff works with policymakers in Congress, the White House and various agencies on youth sexual and reproductive health issues including: comprehensive sex education, contraception access, HIV/AIDS, abortion access and LGBT rights. In addition, staff works with various partner organizations to coordinate joint advocacy efforts.

 

Intern will be expected to:

• Write a policy brief.
• Assist in organizing annual lobby day for youth activist training participants. 
• Conduct Hill outreach with domestic policy staff.
• Prepare materials for meetings.
• Attend coalition meetings with domestic policy staff.
• Research youth sexual and reproductive health issues.
• Blog on issues as needed.
   
  Qualifications:
  
  

• Interest in working on issues in domestic and/or international policy on reproductive and sexual health or a related field.
• Motivated, committed student or recent graduate with desire to learn about young people’s sexual and reproductive health.
• Excellent writing skills and attention to detail.
• Independent worker, ability to prioritize and meet tight deadlines.
• Located in Washington, DC area through the end of September.
• Good working knowledge of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• A commitment to Advocates for Youth’s mission and goals.

 

Preferences:

• Experience working in and with communities of color.
• Member of student organization working on sexual health issues such as abortion access, peer education, HIV/AIDS, LGBT issues.
• Willingness to set forth bold and creative ideas to advance reproductive health, justice, and rights.

Interns are expected to make a commitment of 16 weeks (starting mid-June through end of September), 20 hours per week. Students who receive academic credit for the Internship will receive an expense stipend of $200 per month to cover expenses related to their working at Advocates. Non-Credit interns will be paid at an hourly rate.

 

To apply:

Submit cover letter describing your interests and experiences, your resume, and a short 2-3 page writing sample to jeryl@advocatesforyouth.org or to:

 

                                                Jeryl Hayes

Advocates for Youth

2000 M Street, NW Suite 750

Washington, DC 20036

Position will remain open until filled.  No phone calls please.