AIUSA Türkiye Specialist

Amnesty International USA seeks a volunteer Country Specialist to help monitor the human rights situation in Türkiye and support in mobilizing action to promote and protect human rights in this country. AIUSA’s Country Specialists serve as country experts and strategists and are part of a corps of volunteer leaders known as the Coordination Group program, which is organized by sub world region.

The Türkiye Country Specialist will join AIUSA’s Eurasia and Türkiye Coordination Group (also known as Cogroup), which consists of skilled, dedicated specialists working closely with AI staff and others to advance human rights in the Eurasia and Türkiye region. This volunteer position is an exciting opportunity to contribute your human rights passion and expertise while leveraging and expanding your skills. You’ll get training and support by AIUSA and be part of a community of activists advancing human rights in Türkiye.

As Türkiye Country Specialist you'll work with partners to:

• Routinely monitor the political and human rights situation in Türkiye with a solid understanding of AI’s policy and specific concerns pertaining to Türkiye.
• Develop and implement action strategies for Türkiye in coordination with Amnesty International’s researchers and campaigners around the world and the Advocacy Director of Eurasia.
• Provide general assistance, information, and actions to AIUSA members and activists seeking to work on issues related to human rights in Türkiye.
• Assist the organization in developing and maintaining contacts with counterparts in other human rights organizations, solidarity groups and other stakeholders.
• Collaborate with AIUSA Advocacy Directors on any aspects of AIUSA’s legislative work pertaining to Türkiye. i.e. communicating with US State Department desk officers, US embassies abroad, foreign embassies in Washington DC and consulates throughout the US.
• Serve as AIUSA’s liaison to colleagues working on Türkiye at Amnesty’s International Secretariat.
• Provide expert letters of support for Turkish asylum seekers and occasionally testify at hearings.
• Serve as spokespersons for Türkiye for AIUSA; respond to and initiate media coverage on the relevant country or theme. This includes both domestic and international print, TV, radio, and digital outlets. Work with relevant staff to maintain/update country or thematic pages on AIUSA’s website and to create/publish online actions and blogs.
• Engage and work in partnership with Turkish diaspora groups on AIUSA’s specific priorities.

You're the ideal Türkiye Country Specialist candidate if you have these qualifications:

• Based in the United States, willing to commit to the role for a minimum of two years.
• Substantive knowledge of human rights issues and trends in Türkiye.
• Familiar with advocacy or research relating to the rights of civilians in conflict, women, peace & security, and/or minority rights.
• Experience with grassroots campaigning and/or Amnesty International.
• Familiarity with international human rights standards.
• Experience studying or supporting civil society, human rights, gender equality, LGBTQI+ rights, or fundamental freedoms in Türkiye.
• Comfortable speaking out on human rights either on social media, in front of a public audience, by lobbying members of congress or through writing.
• Engaged and responsive.
• Knowledge and fluency of Turkish or other regional languages is preferred.
• Thoughtful, respectful, and committed team member dedicated to human rights in Türkiye and ready to join our team.
• Able to commit a sufficient amount of time to accomplish the tasks outlined above.

To apply, please fill out AIUSA's Country and Thematic Specialist application where you'll complete a questionnaire, upload your resume and a brief letter of interest.

WORKING AT AIUSA

Amnesty International USA is an equal opportunity employer. AIUSA encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Black people, Indigenous people, people of color; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex people; women; people with disabilities, protected veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals are all strongly encouraged to apply.

OUR COMMITMENT AS AN ANTI-RACIST ORGANIZATION AND TO INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND ACCESSIBILITY (IDEA)

Dismantling white supremacy is central to the fight for human rights in the United States and around the world. As we mobilize staff and activists and work with partners to help transform the multiple systems where oppression operates in the world around us as part of our human rights mandate, anti-racism must be integral to our work. What does that mean for Amnesty International in the United States? It means using our people's power to fight injustice and centering the voices and experiences of those most impacted by racist structures, beliefs, and laws. Fundamentally, it means doing our human rights work differently than it has been done before, because we know that who we work with, how we work, the work we do, and ultimately who we are, are all interconnected.

As an international, intercultural, intergenerational and intersectional movement of activists committed to protecting and advancing human rights for all, Amnesty is deeply committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility (IDEA). To learn more about how we integrate IDEA into our programs and workplace, visit: https://www.amnestyusa.org/idea/