Internship (Graduate or Masters Associate)

Program Internship Graduate or Masters Associate

Duration: 3 months

The Open Society Advancing Global Drug Policy Reform (AGDPR) opportunity seeks to recruit a part-time Program Intern who will do real work with real impact. Under the close supervision of assigned mentors, our interns gain first-hand experience whether they undertake grant making, conduct in-depth research, help provide technical assistance, support operational activities or contribute to our broad advocacy initiatives. Interns receive hands-on training on the various methodologies used by public interest advocacy groups to foster and encourage reform, inclusion, human rights, and the building of legal capacity for open societies.

Who We Are

The Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and inclusive democracies whose governments are accountable and open to the participation of all people. We are active in more than 120 countries, making us the world’s largest private funder of independent groups working for justice, democratic governance, and human rights.

Advancing Global Drug Policy Reform (AGDPR)

AGDPR works in Colombia, Ghana, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Poland, South Africa, Ukraine, and the United States. The global drug control regime stands at a pivotal juncture. Following decades of near universal support for prohibitionist and punitive measures — which have caused immeasurable harm to individuals, communities, and public health — that approach to drug policy is now being challenged like never before. However small, the emerging cracks in the international system have the potential to lead to a transition away from a punitive system toward approaches rooted in health, human rights, and social and economic justice. This nascent shift in drug policy is the result of mutually reinforcing interventions at the national and global levels that have created a virtuous cycle of change: Innovations at the local level have propelled global debate about new approaches to drug policy and the increasingly open global drug policy debate has created space for greater innovation at the local level. In this context, Open Society Foundations, with its history of building the drug policy reform field, has a unique opportunity to support interventions and programs – at national, regional and global levels – that can accelerate and strengthen these change processes.

Program Internship Profile

AGDPR is seeking a current human rights, social work, or other student to join our team in our New York office as a Program Intern. The Program Intern will support the Program and Operations team within the AGDPR. The Program Intern will work on AGDPR grant making, convenings, and partnerships with the wider drug policy field, specifically supporting our Drug Policy Funders Coalition initiative and our work in Ukraine supporting harm reduction, decriminalization, and access to care for veterans. The successful candidate will have strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and an interest in supporting the program. The Internship will commence in May 2026, exact date to be determined based on candidate availability and agreement, ending in August 2026. The internship requires part-time (20 hours/week, minimum). This is a hybrid position with the successful candidate expected to spend 50% of their time in the office.

As a Program Intern at Open Society, you will:

• Support collaboration with internal and external partners, including other funders.
• Compile country/region-specific information on drug policy issues.
• Participate in AGDPR scheduled staff calls and other relevant meetings.
• Perform other duties and tasks as assigned.

The Ideal Candidate

• Currently enrolled in a graduate program with a human rights or social work component, or a recent graduate.
• Highly motivated with demonstrated excellence in prior endeavors.
• Demonstrated interest in human rights, drug policy, grant making, and commitment to public service, with an understanding of and strong interest in developing administrative and operational expertise within strategic litigation as well as litigation experience.
• Strong research and writing skills.
• Advanced proficiency in English-language communication skills (both orally and in writing) required; proficiency in other languages, particularly Ukrainian, an added plus.
• Proven ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, troubleshoot and follow projects through to completion, consistently on schedule, without loss of attention to detail; flexibility and ability to work simultaneously on a wide range of tasks and projects and ability to prioritize tasks, particularly under pressure.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, an understanding of cross-cultural issues, and ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide range of people from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to work independently.

If this sounds like the position you have been looking for, please submit your cover letter and CV, alongside a sample of your writing. We look forward to learning more about you.

The hourly rate range for this role in the US is $20 to $23 (USD).

Please note, this position is not eligible for work authorization sponsorship.

Competitive rates of pay apply.

Open Society Foundations is committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion, and to building a diverse staff that reflects the movements, issues and communities that our mission serves. Candidates from all underrepresented backgrounds, identities and communities are encouraged to apply.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and colleagues with disabilities.

Key skills/competency

• Human Rights
• Social Work
• Drug Policy Reform
• Grant Making
• Research
• Advocacy
• Public Service
• Organizational Skills
• Communication Skills
• Interpersonal Skills