Wilson Legal Fellowship

2027 Donald M. and Susan N. Wilson Legal Fellowship

International Advocacy and Litigation Program

Full-Time; Exempt

Time Period: 1-2-year position

Location: Washington, D.C. (2-3 days in-office)

Annual Salary: $66,300

Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center (KHRC) seeks a Donald M. and Susan N. Wilson Fellow to work with its International Advocacy and Litigation program. This position begins in September 2027 for one year, with the possibility of extending for an additional year.

About the Donald M. and Susan N. Wilson Fellowship Program:

In 2011, the Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center established the Donald M. and Susan N. Wilson Fellowship program to provide a position to one outstanding recent law school graduate each year. Donald M. and Susan N. Wilson recognized the need for greater support for recent graduates who wish to devote their professional lives to public service and generously endowed the fellowship program at KHRC. This fellowship has historically provided invaluable training and experience for a recent law school graduate preparing for a career in human rights.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Conduct factual research and draft memoranda on the human rights situation in countries of interest to the organization in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as on thematic issues (e.g., civic space, gender-based violence, right to due process, etc);
• Conduct research on the application of international human rights norms to country conditions, developments in the domestic legal systems of specific countries, and their implications for human rights, and other questions;
• Prepare documents in support of litigation before international and regional human rights tribunals and mechanisms (e.g., Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, UN Treaty Bodies), and in support of advocacy before governments, international organizations, and U.N. special procedures;
• Help maintain and manage communication with partners, human rights defenders, and civil society partners around the world in support of joint litigation and advocacy;
• Participate in and contribute to litigation and advocacy strategy.
• Attend and report on briefings, congressional hearings, symposia, and other meetings;
• Monitor sources of information on countries and issues of concern to KHRC and collect, organize, and analyze relevant information;
• Work closely with the International Advocacy and Litigation VP and programmatic staff to develop long-term strategies, legal actions, and advocacy campaigns to support the RFK Human Rights Award Laureates.
• Provide administrative support to KHRC staff on an as-needed basis
• Limited travel (domestic and/or international) may also be required.

Qualifications:

• A Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree (or foreign equivalent) is required;
• Authorization to work in the United States;
• Experience with regional and international human rights law and norms; working knowledge of the United Nations system and/or the Inter-American Human Rights System;
• Experience and/or familiarity with the human rights context in Latin America and the Caribbean;
• Professional fluency in Spanish is required; Portuguese is helpful but not required.
• Ability to maintain active contacts with civil society as well as key stakeholders in the aforementioned systems; an ability to master complex human rights issues under tight deadlines;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Innovative thinking, willingness to voice opinions, and a strong work ethic are essential;
• Teamwork, you are able to build positive relationships with your colleagues and are willing to help others;
• Inclusive, you’re excited to work with colleagues with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives from your own;

Benefits & Compensation:

• Annual salary of $66,300 (gross);
• 37.5-hour workweek (7.5-hour days);
• We value your health: KHRC covers 100% of individual-only costs of our platinum medical, dental, and vision benefits and subsidizes the cost for dependent coverage;
• We understand the importance of financial planning and saving we provide: 
  • A College Saveup/Loan PayDown program with an automatic $200/month contribution for any current loans or future loans;
  • An automatic monthly cell phone & internet speed stipend of $125/month to offset any phone & internet expenses; 
• We value your growth: KHRC provides an annual $1,000 professional development stipend to all full-time staff to use toward any courses, conferences, or training that further one's professional learning and development. As well as professional development days/hours to complete these courses.
• Flexibility and independence to help manage your work and home life: We have a hybrid office model where staffers come into the office at least 2 times a week.
  • Employees receive a $1,000 benefits card calendar year to use towards food and home & life purchases to help support work-from-home needs.
  • You also receive a one-time $500 remote supplies fund that staffers can use at their discretion to create a comfortable & workable work-from-home space when needed. 
  • We hold weekly Summer Fridays between Memorial Day and Labor Day, when our offices close half a day each Friday so you can enjoy some extra-long weekends.
• We love to celebrate human rights advocates and our hard work! We do so by hosting award ceremonies, galas, summer outings, holiday parties, potlucks, domestic and international staff retreats, and spur-of-the-moment social outings.

No phone calls, please. Please note that, due to the high volume of applications received, KHRC will contact only the top list of qualified candidates directly.

You are welcome here...

The Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center is an equal opportunity employer and believes we are stronger and more effective by working internally and externally with people of all abilities, diverse backgrounds, and a range of perspectives, particularly those who have historically been marginalized or underrepresented. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We do not discriminate in our hiring practices, and to build the strongest possible workforce, we actively seek a diverse applicant pool. If you require an accommodation at any time during the application and hiring process, please contact us by emailing your request to hr@kennedyhumanrights.org with the subj. line "Accommodation Request." Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Having documents in alternate formats or read aloud 
• Having interviews in a more accessible location/format