Job Description
Racial Justice Advocacy Fellow
The Interfaith Center of New York (ICNY) works to overcome prejudice, violence, and misunderstanding by activating the power of the city’s grassroots religious and civic leaders and their communities.
ICNY is seeking to hire a one-year full-time Racial Justice Advocacy Fellow who will work to amplify the racial justice concerns shared by diverse New York City faith communities, especially in the context of criminal justice reform, food justice, and housing affordability. In addition to working with ICNY’s network of religious leaders, and supporting the development of our Racial Justice Coalition, this new colleague will collaborate with partner organizations including Trinity Church Wall Street, the Micah Institute, Freedom Agenda, the Advocacy Institute, and others. She/he/they will report to our Director of Community Partnerships and develop advocacy and organizing campaigns tied to ICNY’s annual Rabbi Marshall Meyer Retreat for Social Justice.
He/she/they will have experience in community-based social justice organizing and/or legislative advocacy campaigns. Faith-based advocacy or organizing experience is an important plus, but not a requirement. He/she/they will have the skills required to bring New Yorkers together across faith lines, as well as a working knowledge of New York City and State government institutions and political processes.
Salary will be commensurate with experience, in the range of $50,000 – $60,000 annually. Compensation also includes medical, dental, and other benefits. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Anticipated start date is August 21, 2023.
Core Responsibilities
The 2023 – 2024 Racial Justice Advocacy Fellow will work with colleagues at ICNY and our partner organizations to develop and implement multifaith advocacy campaigns, bringing the voices of diverse local religious leaders to bear on pressing racial justice issues, including criminal justice reform, closing the jails at Rikers Island, immigration reform, food justice concerns, and housing affordability. She/he/they will address these issues by:
- helping to envision, organize, and publicize ICNY’s annual Rabbi Marshall Meyer Retreat for Social Justice
- organizing campaigns, advocacy and follow up growing out of each retreat
- organizing and publicizing online and in-person public events, such as policy dialogues, press conferences, panel discussions, and faith-based actions
- organizing and publicizing faith leader sign-on letters addressed to elected officials and policy makers
- helping to implement components of the Interfaith Economic and Racial Justice Compact endorsed in 2021 by Mayoral, District Attorney, and other NYC candidates for public office
- building/maintaining relationships with allies and partner organizations, including Trinity Church Wall Street, the Micah Institute, Freedom Agenda, the Advocacy Institute, and others
- conducting one-on-one meetings with leaders of diverse faith communities, to better understand their racial justice concerns and policy priorities
Other Responsibilities
- speaking on behalf of ICNY at advocacy events when appropriate
- contributing to strategic planning for ICNY programs and racial justice advocacy campaigns
- contributing to grant writing for ICNY programs and racial justice advocacy campaigns
- contributing to outreach campaigns to engage faith leaders, community members, and/or donors, depending on the goal of the campaign
- documenting activities and outcomes of programs and campaigns, for grant reporting and applications
Ideal Qualifications Include
- Bachelor’s degree or comparable study or professional experience. Master’s degree in a relevant field is preferred but not required.
- 2 – 3 years professional or volunteer experience in community organizing, legislative or policy advocacy, or other relevant areas.
- Working knowledge of New York City and State government institutions and political processes.
- Experience in moderating/facilitating public programs, workshops, or dialogues.
- Experience in social media strategy, developing and implementing online campaigns to create off-line change.
- Outstanding oral and written communication skills – able to serve as a public voice of ICNY through speaking engagements, publications, and/or social media.
- Deep respect for racial, ethnic, and religious diversity, as well as a knowledge of social issues surrounding racial justice and religious pluralism
- Ability to work effectively with diverse colleagues, partners, and stakeholders, including racially, ethnically, and religiously diverse New Yorkers
- Existing network of professional relationships with local religious and civic leaders is preferred but not required – ideally including relationships in faith communities of color, or others engaged with racial justice issues
- Bilingual or multilingual skills (eg. Spanish, French, Kreyol, Wolof) would be an asset, but are not required
- Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively, maintaining professional demeanor and sense of humor in all situations
- Reliability, attention to detail, and ability to work carefully and effectively under deadline pressure
To apply, please send a resume, cover letter, and three references in .pdf files to sajeela@interfaithcenter.org. Please note “Racial Justice Advocacy Fellow Application” in the subject line of your email.
