REPORTS TO: Program Director, New York HQ
BASED IN: New York, New York
CLASSIFICATION: Intern, unpaid
COMMITMENT: Minimum 4 month commitment; 3-4 days/week
START DATE: ASAP
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
HealthRight International is a global health and human rights organization working to build sustainable access to health for marginalized populations. Working closely with communities, HealthRight provides training, equipment and other resources to improve systems and increase the capacity of local partners to deliver services. HealthRight’s goal is to create lasting change that ensures equitable access to care for excluded communities, because health is a human right.
HUMAN RIGHTS CLINIC PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Human Rights Clinic (HRC) is a U.S.-based program of HealthRight International. Our objective is to provide holistic care to survivors of torture coming from over 130 countries around the world to seek asylum in the United States. The HRC recruits volunteer physicians and mental health professionals, and trains them to recognize and document signs of torture and to interact with survivors in a culturally sensitive manner. Clinicians then conduct pro bono forensic evaluations and offer expert testimony for use in survivors’ asylum and other immigration proceedings. Survivors in need of further care are referred to appropriate follow-up medical, psychological, and social services in their communities through our ASSIST program. The HRC provides services to survivors of torture in more than 11 states across the country.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under supervision and guidance of HRC program staff, the Program Assistant Intern will assist in the following:
Reviewing client intakes: process client information; document torture history; research country conditions; determine client eligibility for funding from multiple sources.
Recruitment of volunteer clinicians: helping to organize clinician trainings in states across the US, including targeted recruitment and screening of physicians and mental health professionals, logistics, and post-training processing.
Database maintenance: add and update client, attorney, and volunteer clinician information in the HRC database; record detailed torture history and resulting physical and psychological effects.
Writing and research: contribute to HRC communication materials on topics such as torture, US immigration law, and clinical evaluation and treatment of torture survivors.
Case follow-up: gather information from clients’ cases; follow up with attorneys on adjudication of clients examined.
Perform other support activities as required.
REQUIREMENTS
-Bachelor’s degree
-Demonstrated interest in human rights and/or refugee issues, immigration law, social work, or international studies
-Exceptionally strong organizational and writing skills
-Excellent professional email and phone etiquette
-Attention to detail
-Proficiency in MS Office applications
-Ability to take ownership over job tasks and work independently as well as with the team
-Cultural sensitivity
How to apply
Email CV and cover letter to Karin Johnson, Human Rights Clinic Program Director, at Karin.johnson@healthright.org. Please include the position title in the subject line. No phone calls, please.AS