Public Policy/Communications Intern

About the Oversight Board

The Oversight Board makes binding and independent decisions about the most challenging content issues on Facebook and Instagram.  Members of the Board include Helle Thorning-Schmidt, former Prime Minister of Denmark, Tawakkol Karman, Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Michael McConnell, Director of Stanford’s Constitutional Law Center, and many other diverse leaders and thinkers from around the world.  The Board issued its first decisions in January 2021.

The Oversight Board Administration is the team of full-time staff who supports Board Members in carrying out their duties. The Administration has a presence in London, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., and operates with a global scope.

Joining the Oversight Board Administration is a chance to be part of an organization that will operate with the soul and pace of a startup but have a global impact from day one – leading on some of the most prominent and challenging issues facing the tech industry and society, but as part of a lean, nimble team.

You can learn more about the Board at www.oversightboard.com.

Role and responsibilities

Our Internship Program is designed to bring highly qualified and motivated students with diverse backgrounds into our team and provide a valuable learning experience that integrates students’ knowledge with professional skills development and networking, in a fast-paced international environment with support and guidance from experienced professionals.

Interns assist the Communications team to accurately present and explain the work of the Oversight Board, and to manage the full range of external and internal communications and reputational challenges facing an institution at the heart of some of the most complex technological, societal, legal and human rights issues of our time.

Interns will work with the Public Policy Manager to identify a research project that will explore aspects of content moderation and Facebook’s Community Standards. Additionally, Interns will assist the Communications team with a long-term project for the Oversight Board, this could include the Oversight Board’s Annual Report, implementation of a legal symposium, or the creation of stakeholder advisory networks. Research and projects will be tailored to the students' interests and the needs of the Board.

The Interns will report to the Public Policy Manager.

We are offering internships during the following 2 timeframes:

• January 2023 – May 2023
• May 2023 – August/September 2023

The post holder will:

• Conduct stakeholder research and provide briefing materials for meetings and outreach, including research for the Board’s Content Team as well as Communications Team
• Monitor, participate in, and report on meetings, public presentations and legislative hearings related to OSB priorities
• Support the Communications team to organize public events with leading academics, human rights attorneys and activists, policymakers, and interested stakeholders
• Assist with the development of the Oversight Board’s global networks
• Assist the Communications team in updating our engagement system tool
• Receive and draft responses to external queries from the general public seeking information on the Board and its processes

Requirements

• Applicants are required to have the right to work in the United States

• Applicants must be enrolled in a university program leading to a graduate/undergraduate degree for the duration of the internship

• While full-time candidates will be given preference, candidates with part-time schedules will be given full consideration

Skills & Experience

• A background in technology law and policy
• Interest in communications work and engaging with media, policymakers, civil society and non-governmental organizations and other external stakeholders
• Broad intellectual appetite and interest in challenging issues relating to technology and society, such as human rights, freedom of expression, privacy and data protection
• Highly developed critical thinking, problem solving and analytical skills
• Strong spoken and written communication skills
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, multicultural organization, managing competing projects, priorities and internal stakeholders simultaneously
• Preference for bi-lingual (English/Spanish) candidates with previous international experience

What we can offer you

• An inclusive and diverse workplace, encouraging knowledge sharing and collaboration
• A competitive stipend
• Extensive opportunities to participate in learning and development, wellbeing and social events/workshops
• External networking and learning opportunities
• Support and flexibility to balance class schedules and other responsibilities
• Guidance and formal feedback from your supervisor at regular intervals
• Hands-on experience in a global organization dealing with cutting-edge issues

Oversight Board is committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment. You will receive equal treatment regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, color, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Deadline for applications is Friday, October 28th.

If you are submitting an application, please note that we will only be in touch if your application is shortlisted for interview. Please see our privacy notice here.

If you would like to keep updated with the work of the Oversight Board and future opportunities, please follow us on our LinkedIn page.