Access to information is a critical component of reproductive rights. Yet American’s access to accurate, timely information about reproductive rights is limited, and it is increasingly censored by social media companies. Even before the Supreme Court’s decision this June in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, overturning the constitutional protection of abortion rights, Facebook and Instagram had begun to censor reproductive rights-related content on their platforms, especially as regards activists and organizations sharing information about medication abortion (also known as abortion pills). The platforms are now censoring even more such content in the wake of Dobbs.

We cannot allow social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to determine which Americans have access to critical information about reproductive rights, including medication abortion. Amnesty International USA has been a leading voice calling on Facebook and Instagram to facilitate – not censor – access to reproductive rights information. As a next step in this work, we are looking to build our capacity to comprehensively track such censorship across numerous social media platforms, and based on this data, fight ongoing censorship of reproductive rights-related content online.

The Researcher will develop and implement a research strategy that identifies and prioritizes key issues related to the disconnect between technology and reproductive rights, including how best to identify and measure censorship of reproductive rights-related content across social media platforms. The Researcher will be responsible for working with academic and NGO partners to ensure that Amnesty’s work complements – but is not duplicative of – the work others are already doing. The Researcher will also help build an NGO coalition or working group focused on these issues. Finally, the Researcher will be responsible for coordinating with the wider Amnesty movement, including the Amnesty International USA Programs and Campaigns Teams, as well as the Gender Team and the Amnesty Tech team at the Amnesty International Secretariat. This Fellowship is funded for 1 year at $85,598.00 .

Essential Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a research strategy to identify and prioritize key issues related to technology and reproductive rights, with a focus on censorship of reproductive rights-related content across major social media platforms
• Work with the Amnesty International USA Programs and Campaigns Team to develop tactical campaigns based on this research to push corporate and/or government actors to ensure that users of these platforms have access to reproductive rights-related content
• Collaborate closely with other Amnesty International staff working on issues related to technology and reproductive rights to build coherent human rights strategies
• Liaise with other NGOs working on issues related to technology and rights
• Help create and lead an NGO coalition or working group focused on issues related to technology and reproductive rights to coordinate and campaigns to end censorship on major social media platforms

Knowledge and Skills

• Research and analytical skills, including attention to detail, as well as the ability to digest and summarize data and policy related to technology and human rights
• Proven ability to write comprehensive research reports and present them to diverse audiences
• Experience building and working in coalition
• Proven experience of strong public speaking skills
• Experience working on issues related to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA)
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to inspire and motivate staff and partners
• Demonstrable ability to initiate, develop and sustain positive working relationships over long periods of time with a wide range of individuals and groups, including those from different cultural backgrounds, including in remote working environments
• Experience working on technology, human rights, and/or reproductive rights issues is desirable

Education and Experience

• BA/BS and at least 3 years of experience; or MA with at least 1 year of experience
• Experience working in hybrid/remote organizations preferred

We recognize the valuable skills that can be gained through internships, fellowships, volunteer work, and non-traditional work experience. This experience helps build competencies and knowledge that may translate to our job openings. We seek a diversity of experience and skills for our workplace and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our openings.

OUR COMMITMENT AS AN ANTI-RACIST ORGANIZATION AND TO INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND ACCESSIBILITY (IDEA)

Dismantling white supremacy is central to the fight for human rights in the United States and around the world. As we mobilize staff and activists and work with partners to help transform the multiple systems where oppression operates in the world around us as part of our human rights mandate, anti-racism must be integral to our work. What does that mean for Amnesty International in the United States? It means using our people power to fight injustice and centering the voices and experiences of those most impacted by racist structures, beliefs, and laws. Fundamentally, it means doing our human rights work differently than it has been done before, because we know that who we work with, how we work, the work we do, and ultimately who we are, are all interconnected. As an international, intercultural, intergenerational and intersectional movement of activists committed to protecting and advancing human rights for all, Amnesty is deeply committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility (IDEA). To learn more about how we integrate these concepts into our work and workplace, visit: https://www.amnestyusa.org/idea/

COVID-19 Consideration

Because the health and safety of our employees and candidates is a top priority, we are currently conducting our hiring process virtually via phone or video. We are currently starting our positions as fully remote but will transition to hybrid on-site and fully remote work on a need basis.