Asia Intern Program

Accountability Counsel amplifies the voices of communities to protect their human rights and environment. As advocates for people harmed by internationally financed projects, we employ community driven and policy level strategies to access justice. Since our founding in 2009, our team has partnered with communities and advocates from 50 countries to defend their rights, demand justice, and achieve historic victories. We are seeking an intern to support our work in accompanying communities in the Asia region to secure their environmental and human rights when negatively impacted by international investments. 

We work toward change through three programmatic approaches. Our Policy Advocacy program advocates for accountability offices that are accessible, transparent, and fair tools for justice; advocates in our Communities program provide grassroots legal support and assist communities to use accountability offices effectively; and our Research team delivers concrete research and tools for the movement for accountability more broadly. Our respect-based approach underlies all that we do: internally, it guides how our team treats one another, and externally, it ensures that marginalized people, particularly Indigenous Peoples, women and girls, are included as full participants in community-led strategies seeking accountability

THE OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking an intern to accompany the Communities program in the Asia region to secure their environmental and human rights when negatively impacted by international investments. This internship is suitable for current (subject to course commitments) or recently graduated students, prior to undertaking their postgraduate diploma, with knowledge in international law; development and economics; public policy; and/or environment and human rights. This internship provides an opportunity for students and recent graduates to enrich their knowledge and skills in international financial institutions and independent accountability mechanisms with the aim to address environmental, social and human rights harms from international financiers that operate in Asia. 

The Intern will be integrated into our Communities team with a focus on our work in Asia. Their work will include research, brief-writing, legal analysis; communications work including blog and article writing, social media engagement, and media monitoring; supporting workshops, capacity building, and network building activities; and advocacy support to community partners. 

Applicants are required to have excellent communication, research, writing, and critical thinking skills. Applicants must be fluent in English, and knowing a South East Asian language is desirable, particularly Bahasa Indonesia or Thai. 

The internship is expected to last six months, with a commitment of approximately 15 hours per week, with the possibility of extension for a further three months. Full-time employment with Accountability Counsel should not be expected at the end of the internship. The internship is a remote opportunity, with a potential for travel and meeting team members based in Thailand and Indonesia. 

WHO YOU ARE

• Personally committed to Accountability Counsel’s mission and values and respect-based approach. You believe in the agency of communities around the world to protect their human rights and environment. You are committed to meaningfully partnering with those communities and disrupting the systems of power, privilege, and injustice that undermine their rights and interests.
• A recent graduate of an undergraduate degree program, or a current masters-level student, who is committed to centering the voices of communities in struggles for social and/or environmental justice. You have relevant coursework and/or experience in international law; development and economics; public policy; environment and human rights. 
• Deeply grounded in the Asia region. You have knowledge of the socio-political and economic context and civil society landscape of countries across the Asia continent. You are based in a South East Asian country, at least for the duration of the internship, with a preference for Thailand or Indonesia.
• A thoughtful relationship builder who develops rapport and trust across lines of difference, both internally and externally. You have a high degree of empathy, patience, and ability to work among diverse coalitions, including across different languages and timezones.
• A clear communicator. You have excellent written, verbal, research, and analytical skills, including the ability to review and evaluate technical information related to international financing and related policies. You ask thoughtful questions, share information that others require, and seek out guidance and support when necessary.
• At home in a lean, but collaborative nonprofit environment working at the cutting edge of international environmental and human rights law, with the ability to stay both focused and nimble in the face of change.
• You appreciate the value of working in a healthy environment (or workspace, whichever communicates better) and take steps towards preserving, promoting and protecting a healthy workplace.
• Fluent in English. Proficiency in Bahasa Indonesia or Thai is highly desirable.
• Proficient in IT skills including email, G Suite, and Microsoft Office. Skills in graphic design and multimedia productions are a plus.

HOURS AND LOCATION

The internship is expected to last six months, with a commitment of approximately 15 hours per week. Full-time employment with Accountability Counsel should not be expected at the end of the internship. The internship is a remote opportunity, with a potential for travel and meeting team members based in Thailand and Indonesia.

This position will require close communication with Communities team members, and regular communication with the rest of our global team, with varied time zones. This position may offer the opportunity to travel within the region.

COMPENSATION 

This role is an internship, not employment. Compensation will be provided by way of stipend in the range of USD $500-600 a month (depending on expenses and need). In addition, we will provide reimbursement for modest costs associated with the internship, including transport, telecommunications, work-related travel, and equipment. Team members, including interns, are encouraged to take every other Friday off (Wellness Fridays), as part of our commitment to team wellbeing.  

TO APPLY

If this opportunity calls out to you, please submit:

1) a brief description of how does Accountability Counsel’s respect-based approach appeals to you as you think about this role, 

2) a tailored, authentic cover letter that explains why this mission calls to you, why this particular role is a fit , and what you hope to gain from it, 

3) your resume, and 

4) a short writing sample (no more than 5 pages) reflecting your analytical strengths and/or ability to be a compelling communicator. 

Please address your cover letter to Caitlin Daniel and Julio Achmadi. We’d love to hear from you in your own words, so please resist the urge to use ChatGPT or any other AI tools to complete the application materials. 

We will review applications on a rolling basis starting on 2 July 2025. Due to the volume of candidates anticipated and size of our organization, we regret that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted regarding further steps in the application process.

Accountability Counsel is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation or other prohibited category. We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, people from disadvantaged backgrounds, and all qualified persons to apply for this position.

APPLICATION FORM