Indigenous Peoples Rights Fellow (Fixed Term)
Amnesty International USA
United States
Posted on Feb 23, 2026
Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) is the global organization’s presence in the United States. We engage people in the U.S. to fight injustice all around the world, while we also work to protect people’s human rights here in the U.S. Amnesty International USA has more than one million members and activists in all 50 states, who are part of a larger global movement of 10 million people in 150 countries. We are a democratically governed, grassroots membership organization, which means that our members vote on key policy issues and elect our Board of Directors. Amnesty International USA’s elected Board members, staff, and members work together to lead the organization.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Please submit a resume and cover letter, along with a writing sample (no longer than 5 pages). Please combine the resume and writing sample as a single PDF.
Department - Strategy and Impact
FLSA Status - Exempt
Location – Throughout the U.S.
Remote/Hybrid - Remote with travel
Reports To - Director, Gender Sexuality and Identity
Category - Full-time, 1 Year Fixed Term
Position Type Non-Union
Travel Required (%) Up to 20%
Job Summary
The Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Fellow (1 Year Fixed Term) will be housed in AIUSA’s Research and Programs Unit, reporting to the Gender, Sexuality and Identity Program Director. Research and Programs helps build the foundation for successful campaigns, advancing our short and long-term human rights agenda in the United States as it relates to domestic policy. You can read our report on the failure to protect Indigenous women from sexual violence here.
The Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Fellow (1 Year Fixed Term) will have the opportunity to work on federal advocacy on human rights issues, specifically on efforts to end sexual violence against Indigenous women. The Fellow will also have one long-term project completed over the fellowship.
The Fellow will gain and strengthen their expertise in human rights research and advocacy including, but not limited to, developing and implementing advocacy strategies and materials, contact with governmental bodies and officials, conducting legislative research, drafting memoranda and blogs, managing databases, analyzing emerging areas of relevant law and government policy, tracking the progress of legislation in the United States Congress, and learning about the international human rights framework. The Indigenous Peoples Rights Fellow will help build and maintain coalition partnerships to help pass relevant legislation in Congress and to change/advance relevant policy and rules in the administration (including through the Indian Health Service and Bureau of Indian Affairs).
The ideal candidate will have:
- strong written and analytical skills, understands the /advocacy environment regarding Indigenous People’s rights, and can work to advance a human rights-first approach to United States government policy;
- knowledge of United States Indian law and related institutions.
Essential Responsibilities
Policy and Human Rights Experience (Indigenous Rights)
- Build and maintain close relationships with policymakers in Congress and across the federal government
- Identify influential stakeholders in the United States government, including potential supporters and opponents, and takes advantage of political opportunities to push forward human rights goals
- Identify opportunities for relevant human rights progress related to U.S. Indian law and policy and build and implement strategy to achieve this progress
- Collaborate closely with the Director of Gender, Sexuality and Identity, and other Amnesty International staff on issues related to human rights of Indigenous people in the USA
Collaboration and Project Management
- Provide administrative support for ongoing advocacy work including by preparing briefing materials, drafting backgrounders, and taking meeting minutes, thereby ensuring internal and external stakeholders and partners remain on deadline and on task
- Build and sustain contacts with key U.S. Government partners in the Executive and Legislative branches
- Build and sustain key partner contacts and build and sustain coalition to move forward shared human rights priorities
- Engage with Members of Congress and administrative agencies as needed and appropriate
- Works with relevant staff, AIUSA members and volunteer leaders on campaigns, policies, and other assigned tasks
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications and Experience
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
- Strong written and analytical skills, experience working on human rights issues related to Indigenous people in the USA
- Knowledge of United States law and institutions related to Indian law and human rights, particular experience working on relevant sexual assault law and policy a plus
- Proven ability to write comprehensive policy memos, issue briefs, and other advocacy and human rights documents
- Documented history of cultural sensitivity and a demonstrated record of dealing effectively with Indigenous communities and survivors of sexual assault
- Experience in presenting human rights or related topics and analyses to diverse audiences
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to inspire and motivate officials/their staff and partners
- Demonstrable ability to initiate, develop and sustain positive working relationships over long periods of time with a wide range of individuals and groups, including those from different cultural backgrounds
- Strong analytical and project management skills, attention-to-detail, with an ability to multitask and manage multiple deadlines
- Ability to embed inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) best practices into both strategy and operations
Education and Experience
- BA/BS and minimum of 5 years of relevant experience and/or sufficient relevant work experience
- Experience conducting policy analysis; should possess strong analytical skills, with the ability to digest and summarize data and policy related to human rights, domestic policy, and political and economic affairs and related to Indigenous people in the USA
- Experience developing and nurturing partnerships with civil society and grassroots organizations, understands the Washington policy environment, and can work to advance a human rights-first approach to United States government policy
- Experience working organizing and implementing advocacy plans addressing human rights issues at the local, state and/or federal level related to Indigenous people in the USA
Physical Requirements
- Prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing at a desk and working on a computer
Travel Requirements, Weeknight or Weekend Work
- Ability to travel required to Washington D.C., e.g., staff retreats, meetings
COMPETENCY DEFINITIONS
The following definitions provide an explanation of our core competency model and outline our general expectations for all roles.
- Accountability-Owns actions and outcomes transparently. Follows through on commitments, acknowledges challenges, and acts with integrity.
- Adaptability-Navigates change with flexibility, embracing new opportunities. Adjusts strategies, learns continuously, and supports others through transitions.
- Collaboration- Builds effective teamwork by leveraging diverse strengths and fostering trust. Develops relationships internally and externally, as required, to achieve shared goals.
- Communication- Exchanges information clearly and effectively, adapting communication to diverse audiences. Ensures understanding through active, respectful dialogue.
- Execution-Delivers results by planning, prioritizing, and managing resources to meet goals efficiently. Transforms strategic objectives into practical, measurable actions.
- Problem-Solving- Creates inclusive solutions by analyzing challenges from multiple perspectives. Applies critical thinking to develop innovative and practical approaches.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS/ ACCOMMODATIONS
Please visit our AIUSA Careers page and our Frequently-Asked-Questions (FAQ) section for additional information on our hiring process, benefits, and accommodations. If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application submission, or if you require accommodations during the application process, please email talentacquisition@aiusa.org
AIUSA does not assist employees or applicants with obtaining or maintaining employment authorization or employment-based nonimmigrant status. This includes, but is not limited to, sponsorship, financial assistance, preparation of documentation for an application for a visa or nonimmigrant status, preparation of training plans, or any other form of support required to obtain work authorization. Candidates must already have authorization to work in the United States that does not currently or in the future require AIUSA’s intervention.
OUR EEO STATEMENT
Amnesty International USA is an equal opportunity employer. AIUSA encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Black people, Indigenous people, people of color; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex people; women; people with disabilities, protected veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals are all strongly encouraged to apply.
We recognize the valuable skills that can be gained through internships, fellowships, volunteer work, and non-traditional work experience. This experience helps build competencies and knowledge that may translate to our job openings. We seek a diversity of experience and skills for our workplace and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our openings.
OUR COMMITMENT AS AN ANTI-RACIST ORGANIZATION AND TO INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND ACCESSIBILITY (IDEA)
Dismantling white supremacy is central to the fight for human rights in the United States and around the world. As we mobilize staff and activists and work with partners to help transform the multiple systems where oppression operates in the world around us as part of our human rights mandate, anti-racism must be integral to our work. To learn more about how we integrate IDEA into our programs and workplace, visit: https://www.amnestyusa.org/about-us/idea/