Jobs

Free Expression Programs Intern

Posted on: December 8, 2020 Apply Now
New York, NY Internship or Part-Time Job Expires May 31, 2021

PEN America seeks several motivated interns or volunteers to work with our Free Expression Programs department. Interns will support our work defending and promoting free expression and supporting writers at risk in the United States and around the world. This work includes research and advocacy on free expression issues, with a particular focus on free speech on U.S. campuses; press freedoms and other U.S. free expression issues; digital freedom in the U.S. and around the world; support for writers at risk globally; and regional advocacy and programming focused on Eurasia, Myanmar, and China. This internship is based in New York, but due to COVID-19 concerns, will be primarily a remote position at this time and is subject to change. The supervisor reserves the right to request interns to come into the office if it is necessary and deemed safe to do so. Sponsorship is not available at this time.

Interns will have the opportunity to conduct research on free expression issues in the United States and other focus countries; draft advocacy materials including press releases, memos, and briefing papers; conduct research for and provide input to thematic reports; and prepare for major advocacy campaigns and events.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
PEN America seeks several motivated interns or volunteers to work with our Free Expression Programs department. Interns will support our work defending and promoting free expression and supporting writers at risk in the United States and around the world. This work includes research and advocacy on free expression issues, with a particular focus on free speech on U.S. campuses; press freedoms and other U.S. free expression issues; digital freedom in the U.S. and around the world; support for writers at risk globally; and regional advocacy and programming focused on Eurasia, Myanmar, and China. This internship is based in New York, but due to COVID-19 concerns, will be primarily a remote position at this time and is subject to change. The supervisor reserves the right to request interns to come into the office if it is necessary and deemed safe to do so.

Interns will have the opportunity to conduct research on free expression issues in the United States and other focus countries; draft advocacy materials including press releases, memos, and briefing papers; conduct research for and provide input to thematic reports; and prepare for major advocacy campaigns and events.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Interns will be given responsibilities that involve the following:

U.S. Free Expression

  • Provide support for ongoing U.S. advocacy and monitoring threats to free expression
  • Provide support on issues relating to press freedom, disinformation, protest rights, and other forms of censorship
  • Research and analyze state and federal policies which implicate free speech, the First Amendment, and free expression. A special interest in and knowledge of constitutional law and the First Amendment would be preferred here
  • Provide support for the launch and promotion of new free expression tools and resources, including digital and research support for our ongoing campaigns
  • Work closely with staff across the Free Expression Programs team to track and respond to current events related to free expression in the United States
  • Conduct research, develop press and advocacy materials, and draft social media and web content
  • Event planning support

Digital Safety & Online Abuse

  • Work closely and collaboratively with the Digital Safety program director on research, developing advocacy strategies, and drafting website/social media content
  • Provide support for the development of new free expression resources, such as expert reports and digital tools
  • Provide support for updating of and continued outreach to promote PEN America’s Online Harassment Field Manual
  • Event planning support

Support for Writers at Risk

  • Work closely and collaboratively with the Free Expression at Risk program director on research, developing advocacy strategies and website/social media content, and casework
  • Conduct regular research on writers facing severe threats globally and monitor the legal cases or harassment against them
  • Draft social media content, press statements, and blog posts related to key cases and free expression developments
  • Help to track individual cases, update information in PEN America’s Writers at Risk Database and on the website, and develop materials on individual cases for advocacy purposes
  • Assist with providing concrete help to individual writers at risk, including verifying cases and providing referrals and letters of support

Campus Free Speech

  • Work closely and collaboratively with the Campus Free Speech program director and program coordinator on research, developing advocacy strategies and website/social media content, and event/activity planning
  • Provide concrete support for development and release of a new report on free speech on U.S. campuses
  • Monitor and develop responses to current events
  • Contribute to strategy for advancing inclusive approaches to protecting free expression on campuses

Digital Freedom

  • Work closely and collaboratively with the Digital Freedom program director on research, developing advocacy strategies, and drafting website/social media content
  • Research and analyze issues related to surveillance, cybersecurity, and creative expression
  • Provide support for the development of new free expression resources, such as expert reports and digital tools
  • Provide support for monitoring and analyzing social media giants and how their policies impact writers and other forms of creative expression

Eurasia

  • Work closely and collaboratively with the Eurasia program director on the implementation of various regional projects
  • Research and monitor the free expression situation in the region
  • Coordinate logistics for delegations’ visits to Eurasia and the United States (when pandemic is over) and virtual events and meetings (during pandemic)
  • Draft social media copy related to the region, occasionally translating written/multimedia material to English
  • Update individual case pages of writers and artists at risk on pen.org

Asia

  • Work closely and collaboratively with the director of Free Expression at Risk Programs and the deputy director of Free Expression Research and Policy on research, advocacy (including website/social media content), and strategy development
  • Support for regional programming
  • Monitor and develop responses to free expression-related events in the region

DESIRED ATTRIBUTES:

  • Strong research, writing, and analytical skills
  • Keen logistical eye for details and excellent organizational skills
  • Superb writing skills, including the ability to craft clear, user-friendly language
  • Strong familiarity with social media platforms
  • Knowledge of U.S. or global human rights and free expression issues
  • Interest or experience in law, journalism, or tech industry valuable
  • Fluency in Google Drive document management and suite of applications
  • Regional/country expertise in Eurasia (especially Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Central Asia), Southeast Asia (especially Myanmar), or China valuable for regional work
  • Language skills, especially Russian, Mandarin, and Arabic are valuable
  • High energy and efficiency
  • Strong work ethic
  • Meticulous attention to detail and deadlines
  • Strong interpersonal skills and an aptitude for collaboration, creativity, and initiative
  • Commitment to the principles of free expression
  • Video, audio, and/or web production experience is a plus
  • Knowledge of contemporary debates over free speech on college campuses is a plus for campus speech work

TO APPLY:
Please email a cover letter (one-page maximum) and resume to vtien@pen.org. Please specify in your cover letter which category or categories of work you are most interested in (e.g., campus speech, Eurasia, etc.). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

PEN America is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices, and in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seeks a diverse applicant pool.

No phone calls, please.

ABOUT PEN AMERICA:
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. We are a non-profit and registered 501(c)(3) organization.

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