Policy & Grassroots Outreach Fellow, National Organization for Women, Washington, DC

[Elise Coletta]

Policy & Grassroots Outreach Fellow

This posting can be viewed here on NOW's website.

Location: 1100 H St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20005
Application Deadline: October 19, 2015

The National Organization for Women (NOW) Policy & Grassroots Outreach Fellowship is a half-year or year-long program for individuals interested in deepening their knowledge base and skill set around intersectional feminist grassroots organizing.

NOW is dedicated to intersectional grassroots activism to lead societal change, promote feminist ideals and eliminate discrimination.  The organization’s advocacy for women’s equality encompasses six core issues:

• Reproductive rights and justice
• Ending racism and achieving racial justice
• Winning civil and human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA) people
• Ending violence against women
• Securing economic justice for all women
• Amending the U.S. Constitution to include women’s equality

The Policy & Grassroots Fellow (PGF) will coordinate with NOW National Action Center staff and National NOW Board committees, reporting to and directly supervised by the Manager of the President’s Office.  Primary responsibilities include: researching and drafting materials for the national action campaigns within NOW’s strategic action program.  These include issue summaries and updates, talking points, fliers, PowerPoint presentations, op-eds, letters to the editor, activist tool kits, social media content and blog posts.  The PGF will also assist National NOW Board committees in promoting materials to NOW’s grassroots chapters and state organizations around the country.

The Fellow should be willing to commit to a minimum of 4-6 months, and able to work at least 32 hours per week.

Duties

• Research and draft a variety of policy-focused outreach materials for NOW’s national action campaigns, including issue summaries and updates, activist tool kits, talking points, op-eds, sample letters to the editor, and social media content
• Assist National NOW Board committees in promoting outreach materials for NOW's national action campaigns to our grassroots chapters and state organizations
• Draft a number of blog posts raising awareness of the issues covered in NOW's national action campaigns for the NOW website
• Attend training sessions at the NOW Action Center on NOW's issues and intersectional feminism
• Attend training sessions provided by the National Council of Women's Organizations (summer only)
• Attend coalition meetings and other events as needed
• Bi-weekly mentoring meeting with NOW President to report on projects in process, skills learned, and status of policies aimed at advancing feminist ideals and societal change
• Other duties and projects as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Associate's degree in, preferably with a concentration in English, Communications, Women's and/or Gender Studies, Political Science or a related field
• Passion for and strong background in women's rights and intersectional feminism
• Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills
• Proficiency in the use of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and basic graphics skills
• Good social media skills including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Tumblr.
• Excellent research skills; knowledge of key internet resources relating to NOW’s core issues
• Highly organized, attention to detail and adherence to deadlines
• Sense of humor, creative energy, proactive, and problem solving skills
• Enjoys working independently, as well as in a team
• Ability to work well with a wide array of diverse individuals across age, race, socio-economic, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity and other lines
• Ability to work under pressure and handle stress
• Stays up to date with political and feminist news

Salary

This fellowship has a modest monthly stipend. The primary purpose of the fellowship is to deepen the fellow's skill set, knowledge base and readiness to pursue a career in women's rights.

How To Apply

Applications will not be considered without all requested information. Please e-mail resume, cover letter stating why you want to work for NOW, writing sample (maximum three pages) and salary requirement to jo...@now.org. Subject line should read: Application for Policy & Grassroots Outreach Fellow – Your Full Name. No phone calls please. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply. NOW is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our continuing policy to ensure equal opportunity for all current and prospective employees without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status, ability, or any other status protected by federal or state law, local ordinance or Executive Orders.