Masiyiwa-Bernstein Fellowship Info Session

An opportunity to learn more about the 2020-2021 Masiyiwa Bernstein Fellowship placements and application process. This year's fellowships will be with Human Rights First and the Community Justice Project. Information on the organizations and their fellowship positions is below.

Please RSVP

Human Rights First

Human Rights First (HRF) is an independent advocacy and action organization that challenges America to live up to its ideals. They believe American leadership is essential in the global struggle for human rights, so they press the U.S. government and private companies to respect human rights and the rule of law. When they fail, HRF steps in to demand reform, accountability and justice. Around the world, they work where they can best harness American influence to secure core freedoms.

The 2020-2021 Masiyiwa-Bernstein Fellow at Human Rights First will work in one of three critical areas:

-Advancing the use of targeted sanctions to hold the world’s most corrupt actors and human rights abusers accountable for their actions

-Rebuilding U.S. legal and adjudication systems to ensure the protection of refugees through asylum and resettlement

-Leveraging technology to confront a range of human rights abuses and abusers

The precise nature of the work varies by project, but may include:

-conducting legal research, legal analysis, and field/desk research and/or interviews

-drafting and editing material for memoranda, public reports and other written advocacy materials

-engaging with representatives of other nongovernmental organizations, current and former government officials, pro bono attorneys, and others to advance advocacy objectives

The ideal candidate will have:

-excellent research, analysis, and writing skills

-strong interpersonal and communication skills

-demonstrated interest in and informed knowledge of relevant issues

-demonstrated ability to engage with a variety of external audiences, possibly including refugees, human rights defenders, government officials, NGO representatives, pro bono attorneys, and others

-the ability to manage multiple projects and work across organizational lines

-depending upon area of interest, fluency in Spanish and/or other languages

Community Justice Project

The Community Justice Project collaborates closely with community organizers and grassroots groups in low-income communities of color because they believe that a more democratic, more just and more equal society can only truly come about through grassroots organizing and social movement. They are a part of that social movement in South Florida and strive to support organizing through our varied and often innovative legal work. The Community Justice Project works in the areas of immigration, housing, climate (particular as it connects to housing), workers rights, bail, and disaster recovery.

Their work (and that of the fellow) varies by the particular campaigns. Work can range from strategic thought partnership on legal advocacy, litigation, use of international mechanisms, use of creative mediums, and policy advocacy.

The Community Justice Project prefers candidates with demonstrated experience in social justice and social movements. Strong preference for candidates with background in organizing. Strong preference for candidates who speak Haitian Creole or Spanish

This fellowship is located in Miami, FL