Role: Advocacy Intern Hybrid: In office Tues, Wed, Thurs (and other days as required or desired) - Mon and Fri typically remote Duration: September 2nd - Dec 12th (with potential to extend) Type: Part-time, 25 hours per week Paid: D.C. minimum wage ($17.95 per hour) Reports to: Head of Congressional Affairs & Strategic Engagement
The HALO Trust (USA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization specializing in the removal of landmines and other explosive remnants of war (ERW), with projects in 30 countries and territories employing over 10,000 people. HALO’s Washington, DC office works with government partners, international agencies, foundations, and private donors to increase awareness of the impact of landmines and ERW on post-conflict communities and to raise funds to support HALO’s teams working overseas.
The DC office is seeking an enthusiastic intern interested in US politics and international affairs to support HALO’s Congressional engagement. These activities will support direct advocacy to Congressional offices, assist with expansion of partnerships, and help support HALO’s grassroots advocacy program.
Key responsibilitiesinclude:
Drafting impactful e-newsletters, concise memos, updates on advocacy activities, infographics, and aesthetically pleasing briefing materials (in Canva) on issues relevant to mine action for Congress, partners, and for internal use,
Tracking and reporting on hearings, legislation, and Congressional updates in legislative database,
Professionally requesting Congressional meetings and recording meetings notes,
Supporting HALO-hosted events, representing HALO at in-person and virtual briefings/events/meetings, and inputting notes and attendee data into database,
Supporting public communication about HALO’s advocacy work by drafting advocacy updates for HALO’s website, compiling/editing photos, and drafting social media posts as needed,
Supporting the planning of privately-sponsored international Congressional travel (researching flights, travel requirements, etc.),
Supporting grassroots advocacy efforts through helping to recruit and educate advocates (especially students and young professionals), helping with grassroots campaigns and related social media content, and stewarding advocates,
Inputting and managing contacts, meeting notes, and other data in Quorum, and other organizational databases,
Calling Congressional offices to acquire updated staff contacts and other information as needed,
Performing analysis on advocacy efforts to improve outcomes,
Conducting light research/fact-finding on current events and other related topics,
Tracking and reporting on election activity,
Supporting calendar management for senior staff,
Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Preferred Qualifications / Skills:
Given the responsibilities associated with this role, this position is best suited for a graduate student or recent graduate from an undergraduate institution. Applicants should have at least 3 years of combined work/internship experience (in any field), with some experience related to this role. Applicants should possess a positive attitude and be highly organized, flexible, self-motivated, and detail-oriented, with a strong interest in the non-profit and international development/humanitarian sector. We are looking for the following:
Strong attention to detail
Excellent written and verbal communications skills
Strong analytical and organizational skills
An outgoing personality when it comes to performing cold outreach to organizations/individuals and speaking to groups on behalf of HALO’s mission
Strong leadership and ability to take initiative
An exceptional work ethic
Fast learner and thrives in fast-paced work environment
Proficiency in social media, Microsoft Office suite, Canva
A keen understanding of writing styles appropriate for communicating to Congressional offices, grassroots advocates, stakeholders, busy HALO staff, and the general public
Prior experience conducting Congressional advocacy or working in a Congressional office a plus
Disclaimer: Applications will be received until this position is filled
About the Organization
The HALO Trust is a non-political, non-religious NGO that specializes in the removal of the hazardous debris of war. HALO is the world’s oldest and largest humanitarian landmine clearance organization and currently employs over 8,000 deminers in Afghanistan, Abkhazia, Angola, Cambodia, Colombia, Georgia, Kosovo, Mozambique, Nagorno Karabakh, Sri Lanka and Somaliland.
HALO’s largest program is in Afghanistan where they have over 3,700 Afghan staff working on mine clearance and the disposal of conventional munitions preventing these weapons from being used to make Improvised Explosive Devices (IED).
The beneficiaries of mineclearance are invariably the poorest of the poor: internally displaced persons and other disempowered groups. Mineclearance restores farmland and allows them to return to productive and dignified economic activity, which in turn brings stability to post-conflict areas.
Since 1988, HALO has destroyed 1.3 million landmines, 12 million items of larger-caliber ordnance, and 50 million bullets. These efforts have returned over 372,000 acres of safe land - an area more than nine times the size of Washington, DC - to poor communities around the world.
Start your application
Applications for this position must be completed on the recruiting organization's website.
