Advocacy Intern (Fall/Winter 2024)

Role: Advocacy Intern
Hybrid: In office Tues/Thurs (and other days as required or desired) and remote work other days
Duration: August 27-Dec 13 (with potential to extend)
Type: Part-time, 25 hours per week
Paid: D.C. minimum wage ($17.50 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 12,000 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 responsibilities include:

• Tracking election developments and reporting to team,
• 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 meetings, hearings, legislation, and Congressional updates in legislative database,
• Supporting HALO-hosted events, and representing HALO at in person and virtual briefings and events and inputting notes and contact 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,
• Support grassroots advocacy efforts through helping to recruit and educate advocates (especially students and young professionals), help with grassroots campaigns and related social media content, and implement stewardship plan,
• Inputting and managing contacts and various data in Quorum, and other organizational databases,
• Calling Congressional offices to acquire updated staff information as needed,
• Performing analysis on advocacy efforts to improve outcomes,
• Conducting light research/fact-finding on current events and other related topics,
• Other duties as assigned.

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 with some related professional experience. 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

How to Apply:

If you wish to apply, please submit a PDF copy of your resume (no more than 2 pages), cover letter (no more than one page), and a PDF writing sample before August 4th, 2024. Please note if there is a sufficient caliber of applicants, we reserve the right to close the role early.

Your cover letter MUST detail why your academic/professional experiences will enable you to successfully complete some of the specific tasks in the key responsibilities listed above.

Writing Sample should be no more than 2 pages - ideally a memo, informational briefing document/backgrounder on a relevant topic, letter to Congress, document outlining the case for a cause and call to action, or other relevant written work. Please do NOT submit an academic-style paper.

What’s in it for you?

The position offers valuable insight into working in advocacy, Congressional relations, the non-profit sector, and humanitarian work. This role will provide the opportunity to conduct direct and meaningful work that will significantly impact the department’s ability to achieve goals and will make a difference in the lives of families across the globe. Given the length of this internship, tasks may evolve as the intern becomes more experienced with HALO.

Applicants must possess U.S. citizenship given role requirements.

For more information about The HALO Trust, please visit our website at www.halotrust.org.

The HALO Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

The HALO Trust is committed to a culture that is both diverse and inclusive and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.

The HALO Trust is committed to ensuring that it provides a safe and trusted environment which safeguards and promotes the welfare and wellbeing of anyone who comes into contact with, or is part of, the Charity, with a zero-tolerance approach to behaviours which challenge this.