Policy & Advocacy Intern - Summer 2026

Who We Are  

International Justice Mission (IJM) is the global leader in protecting vulnerable people from violence around the world. Our team of over 1,200 professionals are at work worldwide in over 30 offices. Together we are on a mission to rescue millions, protect half a billion, and make justice unstoppable.  

We are a global community that cares for one another. We believe that the way we work is as important as the results we achieve. We provide professional excellence with joy and celebration to all those we serve.   

The Need  

For over 25 years, IJM has pioneered the work to protect vulnerable people from violence. 9 out of 9 times in the last decade, IJM’s Justice System Strengthening Projects have reduced slavery and violence between 50 and 85% for very large populations of people in poverty. As we grow to expand our impact to protect 500 million people from violence, we are seeking a Policy & Advocacy Intern to join the 2026 Summer Internship class.  

The Policy & Advocacy Intern will support and assist the US Corporate & Government Partnerships team with various tasks, including:  

• Assisting with research and policy-related projects; 

• Supporting IJM’s advocacy efforts; 

• Attending congressional hearings and other D.C.-based events relevant to IJM’s work; 

• Conducting policy research; 

• Assisting with event planning or execution of campaigns (ex. Advocacy Summit, TIP Report release, in-district meeting summer campaign, etc.); 

• Managing IJM Advocacy inbox and responding to constituent queries; 

• Participating in departmental and general IJM administrative support. 

This position can be fully in-person or hybrid (onsite Tuesdays & Thursdays) in the Washington, DC area. It reports to the Sr. Coordinator, US Corporate & Government Partnerships. The position requires 30-40 hours per week. 

Summer internship program dates are June 1 – Aug. 7, 2026.   

Application Deadline: Dec. 31, 2025. Candidate communication will begin in early January. 

General Qualifications and Required Skills   

• Bachelor's degree must be in progress for DC Internships and applicants need to have completed at least two years of undergraduate study.  

• Strong research skills and experience with policy and development.  

• Strong written communication.  

• Experience working with government, especially Congress, preferred.  

• Collaborative and able to work across various teams and stakeholders.  

Critical