Program: Business and Human Rights Investors Program

Part-Time, Non-Exempt

Location: Hybrid

Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) Human Rights is seeking an intern to join the Business and Human Rights Program. As part of the team, you will play a crucial role in preparing for their upcoming fall in-person conference, managing their database and helping support the program. This internship will provide the opportunity to enhance your event management, database administration, marketing/communications, and project management skills.

About our work:

The Business and Human Rights Department engages the private sector to (1) reconsider their investment processes to include human rights as they seek superior risk-adjusted returns and (2) to reimagine how people should be valued and treated at work, and equip organizations and their leaders with strategies and tools that allow all workers to truly thrive, no matter the work they do or where they do it. 

The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Compass Investors program educates investment decision-makers on essential human rights issues to consider during their investment processes, all while pursuing superior risk-adjusted returns. With a network of investors managing nearly USD $7 trillion in assets, we provide tools, mobilize campaigns, and facilitate connections to support investor actions related to labor and supply chains, the S” in ESG (environmental, social and governance), diversity in people and capital, and the protection of civic space. We believe that investors can achieve alpha while using their investment dollars to promote a just and equitable world.

Our aim is to build a strong network of leaders from the investment and business sectors—pension plans, sovereign wealth funds, endowments, and private market firms—who understand that prioritizing profit at any cost poses risks to people, long-term profitability, and the planet. We educate, convene, and inspire these leaders to take action in support of a more just and equitable world across four thematic pillars:

1. Inclusive Economies – advocating for, and protecting the rights of workers in the economy, especially those from underrepresented demographics (e.g. women, people of color, tipped workers, immigrants, etc.); and, incentivizing and tracking investor actions that drive capital and opportunities to underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities and women.
2. Amplifying the “S: in ESG – elevating the urgency for social performance indicators and metrics tied to the “S” including greater alignment and transparency on data.
3. Action on Civic Space – Identifying solutions for investors to reinvest and allocate capital to social development initiatives that build up communities impacted by poverty; while advocating for institutions and platforms that build a vibrant, democratic and equitable society for all.
4. Diversifying People and Capital – Incentivizing and tracking investor actions that drive capital and opportunities to underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities and women.

Internship Responsibilities:

Research, Communications, and Development – 65%

• Research topics of interest to investors and the business community as it relates to human rights especially under the themes of workers rights and dignity, the ethical development and deployment of technology, investments in communities and the planet, and diversified and equitable access to capital;
• Help support business development and fundraising outreach, grant proposals, and reporting, in collaboration with other team members and Development team. 
• Assist in curating educational tools, workshops, and other resources to engage private sector stakeholders; help develop new program content such as issue briefs, program summaries, and calls to action.
• Support investor advocacy campaigns by managing investor sign ons;
• Maintain the Compass Content Hub, an internal-use only warehouse of articles/resources

Event Coordination and Outreach – 20%

• Assist with logistics for the Summer Conference in June. This is including but is not limited to: outreach to investors, running and pulling reports and updating trackers in real time, 
• Follow-up with prospective attendees on target lists, including institutional investors, fund managers, and consultants in the RFK Compass investors network to invite them to the RFK Compass Investors events via email and phone. Once registration emails have been distributed ensure they have received the invite,  register for the event,  provide final logistics information and re-confirm attendance;
• Help maintain the registration integrity for the conference by checking the registration system for missing information from attendees, such as bios and photos on a weekly basis; elevate any uncertainties or obstacles encountered with the Senior Program Associate and/or others on the team.
• Support the team in the development of marketing e-mailers to be distributed to invitees during the lead up to the conference as well as post-event mailers and key takeaways;
• Assist with note-taking during planning calls, virtual sessions, and external webinars

Technology and Admin Support – 15%

• Help update and maintain the Salesforce database and pull any necessary reports for invitee research; 
• Help with the clean up of the Salesforce database including merging contacts and accounts, deleting duplicate accounts, and researching existing contacts to ensure their information is up to date;
• Work closely with the Operations Manager to maintain the list of Tier 1 investors and assist with outreach and follow up to these investors as needed;
• Collaborate with all levels of the Business and Human Rights team, including interaction with Executive Management.
• Assist with other tasks and activities as needed.

Qualifications:

• Undergraduate student with experience and interest in planning/coordinating events; outreach/phone banking; marketing and communications; business and finance.
• Interest in working in the non-profit or finance/business sectors;
• Awareness and interest in current events and issues relating to human rights around the world;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite;
• Ability to crunch numbers and utilize systems such as Microsoft Excel & Google Sheets;
• Strong verbal and written communication skills;
• Demonstrated research skills suitable for varied audiences;
• Attention to detail, you’re able to scope out errors and willing to fix mistakes;
• Time management, you have the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects at once;
• Self-starter with the drive to propose and execute content pieces on their own;
• Flexible, patient, and ability to stay gracious under pressure;
• High level of integrity and discretion in handling confidential information;
• Innovative thinking, an unwillingness to accept things as they are, and a strong work ethic are essential;
• Teamwork, you are able to build positive relationships with your colleagues and are willing to help others;
•  Inclusive, you’re excited to work with people who have different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives from your own.

Preferred but not required qualifications:

• Experience working with Salesforce, Zoom, Canva
• Experience with social media platforms and editing videos 
• Experience working in conferences and other events with businesses and NGO leaders.

How to Apply:

• Submit your resume and cover letter to applications@rfkhumanrights.org with “Your Name + BHR Internship” in the subject heading. For example: “Jane Doe + BHR Internship”.
• In your cover letter or email please include how you heard about this role and why you’re interested in this position.

No phone calls please. RFK Human Rights will contact qualified candidates directly. 

Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights is an equal opportunity employer and believes we are stronger and more effective by working internally and externally with people of all abilities, diverse backgrounds, and a range of perspectives, particularly those who have historically been marginalized or underrepresented. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We do not discriminate in our hiring practices and in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seek a diverse applicant pool. If you’re in need of an accommodation at any time during the application and hiring process please contact us by emailing your request to hr@rfkhumanrights.org with the subj. line “Accommodation Request”. Examples include, but are not limited to:

Having interviews in a more accessible location/format

Having documents in alternate formats or read aloud