Free Expression Programs Internship
PEN America seeks several motivated interns or volunteers to work with our Free Expression Programs department. Interns will support our work defending and promoting free expression and supporting writers at risk in the United States and around the world. This work includes research and advocacy on free expression issues, with a particular focus on: free speech and education; press freedom and other U.S. free expression issues; and digital safety and free expression.
Interns will have the opportunity to conduct research on free expression issues in the United States and other focus countries; draft advocacy materials, including press releases, memos, and briefing papers; conduct research for and provide input to thematic reports; and prepare for major advocacy campaigns and events.
This internship will operate from our headquarters in New York City and our D.C. office on a hybrid schedule during normal business hours. Applicants needing a fully virtual arrangement are also welcome to apply and should indicate this requirement in their application. Paid internships are available and would require a commitment of 15-20 hours/week over 26 weeks.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Interns will be given responsibilities that involve the following:
Washington Policy and Advocacy (Washington, D.C.)
- Draft an array of documents, including press releases and policy briefs
- Draft social media content to amplify the work of the Washington, D.C. office
- Attend external events, coalition meetings, and congressional hearings on behalf of the office and take detailed notes of discussions
- Monitor news developments and report back to the government affairs team with key observations
- Assist team members with long-term projects that are relevant to both domestic and international free expression
- Additional tasks as needed
DESIRED ATTRIBUTES:
- Interns must be able to provide valid proof of U.S. work authorization
- Strong research, writing, and analytical skills
- Keen logistical eye for details and excellent organizational skills
- Superb writing skills, including the ability to craft clear, user-friendly language
- Strong familiarity with social media platforms
- Knowledge of U.S. or global human rights and free expression issues
- Interest or experience in law, journalism, or tech industry valuable
- Fluency in Google Drive document management and suite of applications; familiarity with Google Sheets is valuable
- Regional/country-specific expertise—in Eurasia (especially Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Central Asia), Southeast Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, Latin America, or China
- High energy and efficiency
- Strong work ethic
- Meticulous attention to detail and deadlines
- Strong interpersonal skills and an aptitude for collaboration, creativity, and initiative
- Commitment to the principles of free expression
- Video, audio, and/or web production experience is a plus
- Knowledge of contemporary debates over free speech on college campuses is a plus for free expression and education work
TO APPLY:
Please email a resume and cover letter to jobs@pen.org including the cycle you’re applying for, and your name as the subject of your email (for example, “Spring Free Expression Programs Internship – Jane Doe”). Specify in your cover letter which category or categories of work you are most interested in (for example, Research, U.S. Free Expression, etc.). Only complete applications will be reviewed and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
PEN America is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices, and in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seeks a diverse applicant pool.
No phone calls, please.
ABOUT PEN AMERICA:
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.