The Interfaith Center of New York (ICNY) is a secular nonprofit organization, founded in 1997, that works to build relationships of mutual respect and understanding among New York City’s faith communities and civic institutions, to educate New Yorkers and others about the city’s religious diversity, and to foster collaborative civic engagement by New Yorkers of all religious and secular backgrounds.
ICNY is now seeking a consultant to work approximately three full days per week from August 10th through November 13th, 2015, to plan and implement the November 2015 Rabbi Marshall T. Meyer Retreat for Social Justice. This long-running series of conferences/retreats is ICNY’s flagship program for religious and civic leaders, bringing them together through interfaith dialogue about social and civic issues. The November 2015 conference will explore prisoner reentry and related criminal justice issues, focusing on the work of faith-based organizations, including our own Reentry Faith and Family Circles of Support program (a partnership of ICNY, Network Community Services, and the Harlem Community Justice Center, that encourages Harlem religious leaders, congregations, and faith-based volunteers to support formerly incarcerated individuals as they readapt to civic life).
The contract with ICNY will extend for 14 weeks, from August 10th through November 13th, 2015. The position will pay $720 per week, for approximately three full days per week. Total compensation will be $10,080, paid on a consultant basis.
The position may also be expanded to five full days per week from August 10th to October 2nd, and then four full days per week from October 5th to November 13th, should ICNY receive external funding to organize a late-September symposium on interreligious peacemaking. These additional days would be compensated at the same rate. Total compensation for this expanded position would be $15,360, paid on a consultant basis.
Responsibilities will include:
- Researching local faith-based organizations that provide mental health, job training, and other social services to formerly incarcerated individuals.
- Building relationships with potential conference speakers and workshop leaders, with help from ICNY’s Executive Director and other colleagues.
- Meeting with ICNY’s partners in the Reentry Faith and Family Circles of Support program, and observing program activities, to determine aspects of their work to highlight at the conference.
- Corresponding with speakers and workshop leaders regarding both conference logistics and their presentations.
- Planning conference schedule, and preparing program materials, with help from ICNY’s Executive Director and other colleagues
- Conducting outreach/publicity to religious leaders, civic officials, and other potential conference participants, including writing and disseminating invitations, social media posts, and other publicity materials.
- Managing the conference registration process, with help from ICNY’s Office Manager.
- Managing conference logistics, with help from ICNY’s Office Manager, including catering, day-of registration, and other essential details.
- Preparing conference evaluation forms, with help from ICNY’s Executive Director and other colleagues.
- Drafting thank-you notes to speakers, compiling evaluation data, and other follow-up tasks.
Qualifications should include:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university. Advanced degree preferred, but not required. Academic work in a relevant field preferred, but not required.
- 2 – 3 years professional experience in the nonprofit sector, including experience in event planning, conference organizing, or public education programming.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, including familiarity with social media, community outreach, and/or publicity.
- Ability to work effectively with diverse colleagues, partners, and stakeholders, including racially, ethnically, and religiously diverse New Yorkers.
- Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively, maintaining professional demeanor and good humor in all situations.
- Reliability, attention to detail, and an ability to work carefully under deadline pressure.
- Prior knowledge of prisoner reentry and related criminal justice issues is preferred but not required.
- Prior knowledge of religious diversity and faith-based perspectives on social justice issues is preferred but not required.
To apply send a resume and cover letter to Elly Mason-Murray, at elly@interfaithcenter.org. Please note “Conference Planner” in the subject line of your email.
