YOUNG LEADERS FELLOWSHIP Washington DC

The Young Leaders Fellowship Background and Goals: Throughout history, youth have been at the forefront of movements that have changed the world. From the students who organized civil rights marches and Freedom Schools, to young leaders who educated and mobilized tens of thousands of people to occupy Tahrir Square in Cairo, it has been the dedication and creativity of young people that has sparked and sustained social movements. Youth remain on the front lines of the greatest human rights challenges facing communities in the United States. In order for AIUSA to expand our capacity for effective youth engagement, we are launching the Young Leaders Fellowship. This program will establish the infrastructure to grow and empower passionate young leaders who challenge and activate their peers locally and worldwide. The purpose of the program is to build a flexible foundation for large-scale, self-sustaining, youth-led organizing initiatives. With a focus on deepening AIUSA’s relationships with youth members, Young Leaders Fellows will create and use innovative tools, platforms, and initiatives to engage youth activists, develop youth leadership, and grow AIUSA’s youth movement. Position Description: The Young Leaders Fellowship is a one-year, paid fellowship that aims to develop the next generation of human rights leaders and build capacity for membership growth. Fellows will channel their commitment to human rights and social justice, and their unique skill-sets into building a diverse and powerful AIUSA youth membership. Fellows will use innovative tools to effectively engage youth in new organizing initiatives on campuses and in communities across the country. They will train and develop member leaders, organize in youth-only spaces and beyond, and seek out new ways to make AIUSA a part of youth lives. Qualifications 1. Committed activist, with a broad understanding of politics, advocacy, and movement-building, and a passion for understanding how change happens. 2. Excellent writer and storyteller, who can communicate effectively with a variety of audiences; you have a knack for writing to inspire action, and take pride in being accurate and on-message. 3. Social media aficionado who enjoys using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and more, with a strong interest in applying new tools and trends to engage the masses and build people power. 4. Quick learner with basic technical skills in using Adobe design programs, HTML, and/or CSS, as well as a desire to enhance them. 5. Team player with a sense of humor and an ability to work both collaboratively and independently while prioritizing workload in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. You love a challenge, are willing to take risks, and are creative and flexible in the face of new situations.

Responsibilities 1. Create dynamic youth activist networks and crowd source innovative ideas for building power to affect change. 2. Engage movement leaders, foster strong relationships with diverse youth communities, and make recommendations about how to build power; develop training and tools that will make change possible for youth leaders. 3. Develop and implement strategic initiatives for engaging and recruiting youth to grow and diversify AIUSA membership. 4. Create resources and messaging that will effectively recruit and develop strong youth member leaders, and coordinate internal communications strategy. 5. Build the capacity of AIUSA staff and membership to use cutting-edge tools to educate, activate, and mobilize youth around AIUSA priority issues.

To be eligible, applicants must have a college degree or equivalent experience. This is a full-time paid fellowship based in Washington, DC, with a 1-year commitment. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 1. Cover letter explaining the applicant’s experience, qualifications, and interest in the fellowship. 2. Resume outlining all relevant experience (academic, volunteer, work, or other). 3. Personal statement (not to exceed two pages) identifying the human rights issue(s) and bodies of work, including organizing and activism skills, the applicant is most interested in developing during the fellowship. Include how or why the applicant is interested in these areas. 4. Two letters of recommendation from anyone familiar with the applicant’s experience and character. TO APPLY: Submit the above information to Kena Hodges ([email protected]) by 6.30.14. EOE