Legal Intern

The Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI) is a global coalition of more than 150 organizations dedicated to advancing the forest, land, and resource rights of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, Afro-descendant Peoples, and in particular the women within these groups. RRI’s members capitalize on each other’s strengths, expertise, and geographic reach to achieve solutions more effectively and efficiently. RRI leverages the power of its global coalition to amplify the voices of local peoples and proactively engage governments, multilateral institutions, and private sector actors to adopt institutional and market reforms that support the realization of rights.

RRI is coordinated by the Rights and Resources Group (RRG), a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC.

If you are passionate about working with Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and Afro-descendant Peoples to secure their rights; supporting women’s rights and governance; and combatting climate change, this could be the place for you. For more information about our inclusive and purpose-driven work, check out our current openings.

People of color, people from Indigenous and local communities, women, and LGBTQ+ persons are strongly encouraged to apply.

Legal Intern

RRI seeks a Legal Intern to work with its Tenure Tracking Program during the summer term of 2024.

The Intern will have the unique opportunity to work closely with RRI’s legal and forest tenure data. This research-oriented position is excellent for a dedicated and enthusiastic individual to 1) increase their familiarity with community forest tenure in a wide range of country contexts and understanding of comparative legal analysis, 2) improve skills related to research and qualitative data analysis, and 3) gain experience in the sectors of human rights and international development while contributing to the work of an international coalition advancing these causes. In particular, the Intern will contribute to three primary activities:

• Updates to and maintenance of the LandWise Law Library: In 2023, RRG acquired the LandWise Law Library, a key digital compilation of laws, articles, and research on women’s land rights and tenure. RRI’s Tenure Tracking team seeks to integrate the Tenure Tool and the LandWise Law Library as connected resources, revamping and reorganizing our resources comprehensively, filling gaps in current legal and research materials, and creating a dynamic hub where information is accessible, organized and current.

• Contribute to the update of RRI’s Forest Tenure Database: In 2024, RRI will begin collecting data on the global distribution of statutory forest tenure, updating its Forest Tenure Data that was last published in At a Crossroads (2018). The Legal Intern will conduct initial legal reviews and research for a subset of countries.

• Targeted Legal Support across Programs: The Legal Intern will support advancement of multiple streams of work across thematic areas that require dedicated legal analysis and Tenure Tracking inputs, such as on Carbon Rights, Community-Led Conservation, Livelihoods, and Gender Justice.

The Intern will report directly to the Legal Analyst, and will work closely with the Senior Tenure Analyst and Senior Tenure Tracking Associate in support of RRG’s Tenure Tracking Program, which is responsible for monitoring global progress and setbacks in the legal recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Afro-descendant Peoples’, local communities’, and community women’s rights to their lands, forests, and freshwaters. The Intern will be a key contributor to the creation, administration and knowledge management of the LandWise Law Library, advancing the centralization of Tenure Tracking knowledge. In addition, the Intern will contribute to legal research and analysis across thematic areas.

Dates and Compensation

The hourly rate is $25 for a full-time (up to 40 hours/week) internship based in Washington, DC. The anticipated internship length is 12-14 weeks, flexible between May to August 2024. Candidates must be legally eligible to work in the US and be located in the DC metro area prior to the start date.

Applications will be accepted immediately and interviews conducted on a rolling basis. Submission by February 9, 2024 encouraged

Responsibilities:

• Provide legal support and conduct factual and legal research across thematic areas, including on forest tenure, carbon rights, community-led conservation, and gender justice.
• Assist in tracking developments in international agendas and legal frameworks related to RRI’s mission and priorities. Draft memos under the supervision of the Legal Analyst.
• Provide legal and project management support in the integration and expansion of RRG’s LandWise Library and the building of a legal library centralizing Tenure Tracking knowledge and resources.
• Support the update of RRI’s core analytical work tracking global forest ownership by:
• Assisting in the identification and review of legislation (in English, and potentially Spanish, Portuguese, and/or French) concerning Indigenous Peoples’ and local communities’ land and natural resource rights, and
• Conducting desk research (in English, and potentially Spanish, Portuguese, and/or French) related to community and smallholder forest ownership in a wide range of countries.
• Provide general program assistance for the Tenure Tracking team, and willingly undertake other tasks as requested.

Qualifications

• Current law student, 2L or above (or equivalent education).
• Understanding of land and natural resource tenure, environmental law/policy, international law, conservation/climate change, and/or international human rights issues.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English required. Professional fluency in French and/or Spanish strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office necessary, particularly Word, SharePoint and Excel. Experience with WordPress also desirable.
• Strong and demonstrated research skills, with the ability to discern and compare differences in the value and reliability of various data sources.
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task, prioritize, and balance deadlines for multiple assignments while working as part of a dynamic, hybrid team.
• Demonstrated initiative and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with professional manner and demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity.

Rights and Resources Group (RRG) is committed to creating and maintaining a workplace in which all employees have an opportunity to participate and contribute to the success of the organization and are valued for their skills, experience, and unique perspectives.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, RRG makes all employment-related decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, political affiliation or belief, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation or any other category protected by applicable law.