Internship (Graduate or Masters Associate) in Lincoln

The Open Society Justice Initiative seeks to recruit a full or part-time Program Intern (full time over the summer period) with demonstrated commitment to the promotion of human rights through the use of strategic litigation. At the Justice Initiative, interns do real work with real impact. Under the close supervision of assigned mentors, our interns gain first‑hand experience in using the law to protect and empower people around the world.

Whether they support strategic litigation efforts, undertake grant making, conduct in‑depth research, help provide technical assistance, support operational activities or contribute to our broad advocacy initiatives, interns receive hands‑on training on the various methodologies used by public interest advocacy groups to foster and encourage reform, inclusion, human rights, and the building of legal capacity for open societies.

The Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and inclusive democracies whose governments are accountable and open to the participation of all people. We are active in more than 120 countries, making us the world’s largest private funder of independent groups working for justice, democratic governance, and human rights.

The Open Society Justice Initiative undertakes strategic litigation in national, regional, and international courts and administrative forums across the globe to advance Open Society Foundations’ goals and priorities. The Justice Initiative is comprised of lawyers and human rights practitioners with a wide range of practice experience who integrate in‑court interventions with out‑of‑court legal advocacy, grant making and community engagement.

The Open Society Justice Initiative is seeking current human rights and other advanced degree graduate students to join our team in our London or New York office as a Program Intern. The Program Intern will support the Program and Operations team within the Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI). The Program Intern will work on OSJI's grant making, the operations and administration of case development as well as working on convenings, strategic litigation efforts and partnerships with the wider human rights field.

The successful candidate will have strong organisational skills, attention to detail and an interest in supporting the programme and operational management of a human rights litigation organisation. The Internship will commence in Summer 2026, exact date to be determined based on candidate availability and agreement, ending in December 2026. The internship requires a full‑time (40 hours/week) commitment for the first three months; the internship may become part‑time (20 hours/week, minimum) starting in September, with prior OSJI approval. This is a hybrid position with the successful candidate expected to spend 50% of their time in the office.

As a Program intern at Open Society, you will:

• Support strategic grant‑making efforts to strengthen the strategic litigation ecosystem with Open Society Justice Initiative grantees including research, administration and engaging with grantees.
• Support collaboration with internal and external partners including other funders, the strategic litigation field and litigators through convenings, meetings and projects.
• Engage in operational tasks including contracts, strategic litigation support, event coordination and staff engagement.
• Draft legal and non‑legal reports and memoranda on programmatic or legal issues related to priority areas (this may include political rights, physical integrity, fair trials, national security, corporate accountability, women’s rights, and/or United Nations mechanisms).
• Research and analyze international and domestic law jurisprudence as it relates to human rights, and the situations and development of targeted country situations.
• Compile country/region‑specific information on human rights and rule of law issues; this may include human rights defenders, civil society activities, legislative developments, and state compliance with international human rights standards.
• Participate in OSJI scheduled staff calls and other relevant meetings.
• Perform other duties and tasks as assigned.

The ideal candidate:

• Currently enrolled in a law school or graduate program with a human rights component, or a recent graduate.
• Highly motivated with demonstrated excellence in prior endeavors.
• Demonstrated interest in human rights, grant making and commitment to public service, with an understanding of and strong interest in developing administrative and operational expertise within strategic litigation as well as litigation experience.
• Strong research and writing skills, with legal research experience preferable.
• Advanced proficiency in English‑language communication skills (both orally and in writing) required, proficiency in other languages, particularly French or Arabic, an added plus.
• Proven ability to work efficiently in a fast‑paced environment, troubleshoot and follow projects through to completion, consistently on schedule, without loss of attention to detail; flexibility and ability to work simultaneously on a wide range of tasks and projects and ability to prioritize tasks, particularly under pressure.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, good humor always appreciated, with an understanding of cross‑cultural issues and ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide range of people from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to work independently.

If this sounds like the position you have been looking for, please submit your cover letter and CV, alongside a sample of your writing. Please include in your cover letter your availability, including the dates you’d be available and the number of hours you’d be able to dedicate to the internship; we look forward to learning more about you.

The hourly rate range for this role in the US is $20 - $26 (USD). Please note, this position is not eligible for work authorization sponsorship. Competitive rates of pay apply. Open Society Foundations is committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion, and to building a diverse staff that reflects the movements, issues and communities that our mission serves. Candidates from all underrepresented backgrounds, identities and communities are encouraged to apply. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and colleagues with disabilities.