Internship opportunity – Communication Assistant – IHRTP

Be a part of positive social change

Imagine working for an organization whose primary mission is to advance equality, social justice and respect for human dignity. Imagine that your work aligns with your personal values and that you participate every day in creating positive social change through transformative human rights education programs. Alongside 55 like-minded colleagues in Canada and partners around the world, you could help empower people to address inequality and discrimination, and work to build more inclusive and rights-respecting communities with Equitas. 

The Opportunity

Each year in June, Equitas organizes its three-week, intensive International Human Rights Training Program (IHRTP) at John Abbott College in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, where approximately 90 human rights workers from over 50 countries come to gain knowledge, skills and strategies related to human rights education.  Equitas is seeking a highly motivated Communications Intern to support the promotion and visibility of the program by creating and publishing articles related to human rights defenders and human rights education.  

Under the supervision of the Communications and Community Officer and in close collaboration with the IHRTP team, this person’s main tasks will be to conduct interviews, write articles and contribute content to Equitas’ social networks and to the organization’s website.  The intern’s responsibilities will also include a variety of tasks before, during and after the IHRTP, related to running and supporting a major international event in an intercultural context. 

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Write articles and produce engaging publications on topics related to human rights and the impact of Equitas’ projects, and publish them on Equitas’ website and social media pages 
• Conduct interviews in person or online with human rights defenders and educators, in English and French, and produce engaging publications and content for web articles and/or podcast episodes based on these interviews 
• Produce engaging and educational publications related to current human rights issues on social networks, including the Equitas Community (a network of over 4,300 defenders and human rights educators from around the world) 
• Conduct research to find and verify information for publication 
• Provide assistance to the Director of Communications and Development and the Communications and Community Officer with media relations, and the promotion and coverage of the program and its events 
• Participate in the development of content strategies to motivate target audiences and donors and implement these strategies along with the Equitas Communications Team 
• Support the organization of events 
• Take photographs and video footage during the Program and Program events  
• Create visuals to accompany social media and web publications 
• Support logistical aspects of the Program in collaboration with other interns 

About you

You are passionate about human rights and social justice. You are motivated by and strongly committed to Equitas’ mission, vision and values. You are motivated to foster an inclusive work environment that reflects the diversity of the Equitas community. You are a natural storyteller who loves to produce content for social media. You have some experience with websites and engaging online communities and are eager to learn more.  

What is essential for role 

• Eligibility to work in Canada. 
• Ability to communicate orally, read and write in French and English (it’s OK if one language is stronger than the other) 
• Minimum of one year experience working in communications 
• Be enrolled in or have completed an undergraduate program in journalism, communications, political science, international relations or other related field (or equivalent experience) 
• Strong interest in issues related to human rights in Canada and around the world 
• Strong planning and organizational skills, including the ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously 
• A good eye for designing visuals 

What is an asset to the role

• Rigor in information processing and compliance with journalistic standards and practices 
• Experience in international events or contexts 
• Experience in human rights or social justice sector 
• Knowledge of web site management, tools and trends in social media 
• Knowledge of graphic design, photography, video and/or video editing  

What we offer

• We offer the chance to be a part of and make up a diverse and engaged team that are all meaningfully contributing to positive social change in Canada and around the world in their own way. 
• We value self-care, inclusion, and empathy towards all team members and place a strong emphasis on work-life balance. The intern will work primarily at Equitas’ office in Montreal and at John Abbot College in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, with the possibility of also teleworking as well. 
• We have a centrally located office with a magnificent view of Mont Royal. 
• We believe in trust and openness and offer a flexible work environment. 
• We believe in creating space for everyone to lead and offer opportunities within our governance structure to allow for individuals in all roles to take on opportunities for leadership. 

 

Join us!

Given the nature of our work, Equitas strongly encourages applications from any candidates who have experienced marginalization, in particular, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, LGBTQ21 people, and people living with disabilities. Candidates who wish to do so may self-identify in their application. Equitas offers a competitive salary and benefits package in the NGO sector. 

At Equitas, we do not tolerate harassment, discrimination, violence, or abuse of any form. All employment offers are conditional on the signing of Equitas’ Human Resources Policy, our Policy on Preventing Sexual Violence, Harassment and Discrimination, and satisfactory references. 

Equitas thanks all applicants for their interest. However, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. 

 

How to Apply

Please send by email in one PDF document your CV, a letter of motivation and some examples of written publications or visual creations that you deem relevant. Send your application package by February 12, 2023 by email to the attention of: 

 

Ariane Lagacé 

Communications and Community Officer  

E-mail to alagace@equitas.org