Job# 5560 - Research Intern - Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones (Cambridge, MA)
Full Time
Posted: July 3, 2012
Closes: August 3, 2012

hysicians for Human Rights (PHR) is an independent not-for-profit organization that mobilizes the specialized skills, rigor and passion of health professionals and scientists to investigate and stop egregious violations of human rights. PHR focuses on mass atrocities and severe human rights violations against individuals. PHR conducts research and investigations globally, and advocates for the:

• Prevention of individual and small-scale violations from becoming mass atrocities;
• Protection of internationally guaranteed rights of individuals and civilian populations;
• Prosecution of perpetrators and accountability for violations;

PHR was founded in 1986 based on the idea that health professionals, with their scientific expertise, ethical commitment, and credible voices, are uniquely positioned to address human rights violations. Today, PHR’s expertise and voice is sought by human rights organizations, governments, United Nations agencies, international courts and tribunals, and local and regional groups. The integrity of PHR’s research and investigations allows its work with others to raise awareness and press for change on the most severe human rights violations of the day.   PHR is a co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Headquartered in Cambridge, MA with a small public policy office in Washington DC, PHR is a 501(c)3 organization with an annual budget of approximately $5 million. Served by a dedicated staff of 32 and a distinguished 18-member Board of Directors, and cadres of expert consultants and volunteers, PHR is supported primarily by multi-year grants from foundations, governments, members and individual donors.

PHR currently focuses on Torture, Mass Atrocities, Rape in War and the Persecution of Health Workers.

About the Program on Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones:
PHR’s Program on Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones is a multi-year training and advocacy program targeting five neighboring African countries. These are Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, South Sudan and the Central African Republic. The program’s goal is to support prosecution of individual and mass acts of sexual violence through comprehensive, collaborative training of lawyers, doctors, nurses and law enforcement personnel in the proper documentation of rape for evidentiary purposes.

About the Internship:
Reporting to the Program Associate, the Research Intern for the Program on Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones will assist with new and forthcoming investigations, as well as working on and elaborating on existing projects.  The intern will be responsible for conducting in-depth background investigations on relevant topics, including, but not limited to, preparing for international field investigations, conducting in depth background legal and policy research on sexual violence in our target countries. 

Key Responsibilities include:

• Researching and analyzing relevant legal and public health policy materials on sexual violence in the five target countries;
• Drafting and editing reports on legal and policy issues concerning sexual violence in conflict zones;
• Creating well-cited investigative notes and annotated outlines;
• Collaborating  with organizational staff and leaders on related projects and investigations; and
• Assisting with emergency investigations and reports in a high energy, fast-paced environment.

Ability to communicate in French is an asset.

To Apply:
Send your resume/CV and cover letter to: internship@phrusa.org
Indicate SVCZ Internship in the subject line.

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