Communications Intern

Organization Description

Free the Slaves (FTS) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to ending modern slavery worldwide. Founded in 2000, FTS partners with grassroots organizations in six countries to free people from slavery, help them rebuild their lives, and do what it takes to end slavery in their communities. Current partners include local anti-slavery organizations in Ghana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Brazil, India and Nepal. Informed by on-the- ground work and in-depth research, we then bring real-world solutions to policymakers and business leaders in the areas of policy, research, slave-free trade and communications, engage in high-profile advocacy campaigns on the federal and international level, and share compelling stories that inspire individuals to act and to build a global movement against slavery. FTS is headquartered in Washington DC.

Internship Program Description

The Free the Slaves internship program is a formal effort to develop and train future leaders of the anti-slavery movement. We seek to provide each participant with training and hands- on experience in various facets of anti-slavery work. The program operates out of the Washington, DC office of Free the Slaves on a semester system, with three sessions per year: Spring (January to May), Summer (June to August), and Fall (September to December). Participants are expected to participate in an orientation session at the beginning of each semester.
Internships are unpaid but students are often able to arrange academic credit, as Free the Slaves internships often offer direct exposure to the workings of an international human rights organization, close supervision by FTS staff, interaction with other U.S. and international organizations and foreign and domestic government officials, and opportunities to attend lectures, trainings, and special events relating to federal and international anti- slavery advocacy. Students should check with their individual academic institutions for requirements.

Communications Internships

The communications department at Free the Slaves is seeking interns to assist our efforts to communicate that slavery still exists and the FTS is implementing innovative strategies to end it.

Tasks include, but are not limited to:
• Assist in the maintenance and expansion of the FTS presence on social networks, blogs and our website by creating and posting content (written, pictorial, graphical, etc.) about the work of FTS and the abolition movement.
• Work with staff to develop and implement innovative online campaigns to support the work of FTS.
• Assist in creating organizational collateral and integrating online tools for fundraising, advocacy and outreach.
• Evaluate FTS web presence through metrics, and develop methods to integrate various FTS web platforms.
All interns will assist in answering the phones and other general administrative and support duties as assigned.

Applicant Requirements

• All applicants must be either currently enrolled in, or a recent graduate of, an accredited college or university as a degree-seeking student.
• Successful applicants will have a demonstrated history of excellence in their studies and will be in pursuit of or a recipient of a degree within the following fields: journalism, communications, public relations, web development, information and communications technology, communications management, web-based graphic design or a similar discipline.
• Successful applicants will be experienced in using a variety of software applications. Applicants who whish to focus on content creation should be experienced in using social networks and/or blogging. Multimedia experience shooting and editing still photos and videos is a plus. Applicants who wish to focus on design and web production should be experienced in using Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and/or Dreamweaver.
• A demonstrated history of interest and/or involvement in the anti-slavery or human rights movement is a plus.
• Applicants must be fluent in English, both written and oral. Additional language skills may be an advantage, especially French, Hindi, Spanish or Portuguese.
• Applicants should be well organized, self-motivated and reliable, and should be able to work well both independently and as a part of a team. Successful candidates will demonstrate a history of accepting direction, taking initiative, and working well with both supervisors and peers.