Policy Fellowship

LOCATION: Washington, DC (or remotely based)

Position Summary

The Syria Justice and Accountability Centre (SJAC) is seeking a qualified candidate for a paid research fellowship for the Fall semester, with the opportunity for extension, to conduct research and analysis that will support SJAC’s Justice Policy program. SJAC’s Justice Policy aims are three-fold: to provide justice and accountability actors with up-to-date information and analysis on justice and accountability processes; produce actionable and effective recommendations that have the potential to address rights violations faced by Syrians; while also including Syrian perspectives in policy formation and implementation.

The Policy Fellow will be responsible for researching various topics on human rights in Syria, drafting related written materials, and assisting in expanding SJAC’s presence on the Hill. Successful applicants will be knowledgeable about the federal legislative and political landscape, passionate about human rights, and capable of researching and writing on assigned topics.

The Policy Fellow will work 10-15 hours per week and be paid at the rate of $25/hour, with the opportunity to add more hours given the needs of both the fellow and SJAC. SJAC prefers applicants in the Washington, DC area but is accepting remote applications. Applicants based in the DC area will have the option of working from SJAC’s DC office.

General Duties and Responsibilities

• Carry out research on transitional justice processes and human rights related to the Syrian context. Research topics may include sanctions, humanitarian aid, refugee policy, and more.
• Collaborate with the Policy Officer to develop an outreach strategy to expand SJAC’s presence on the Hill, in addition to analyzing the impacts of current and potential federal legislation.
• Assist with drafting policy papers, briefs, and other written materials on policy challenges in the Syrian context.
• Support with administrative tasks such as conducting outreach, scheduling relevant meetings, planning logistics for potential events, and more.

Skills and Experience

• Current student in, or recent graduate of, an advanced degree program focused on public policy, international affairs, Middle East studies, law, or related fields.
• Recent graduates holding a BA who have significant research and/or practical experience may also be considered.
• Experience working in or knowledge of the Middle East, the Syrian context, and federal legislative processes in the United States.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Professional proficiency in Arabic is an advantage.

SJAC is a diverse organization made up of 50+ team members from around the globe. We pride ourselves in our ability to implement programming that is inclusive and responsive to the needs of all Syrians and believe that our own team’s diversity of viewpoints and experiences helps us to achieve that goal. We encourage all interested applicants to apply, regardless of race, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or age.