Advocacy Intern

Mission Statement

YW Boston works to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.  

YW Boston is at the vanguard of thought leadership on issues at the intersection of race and gender, helping organizations create more inclusive environments where women, people of color, and in particular, women of color can succeed.  

YW Boston invests in our internal culture, including our own racial equity practices. We seek candidates that thrive in adaptive organizations, are comfortable working amidst organizational change, and are excited about helping YW Boston deepen its impact in Boston.  

YW Boston’s Values are:

TRANSFORMATIONAL SOCIAL CHANGE: Commitment to dismantling systems of oppression  

  • COLLABORATION: Working together, we multiply our contribution  
  • COURAGE: Bold, purposeful action  
  • LIBERATION: Amplify diverse voices toward freedom for all  
  • PEOPLE: Success is dependent on our team members’ well being  
  • SHARED LEADERSHIP: Working in service to our mission and to one another 

General Statement of Duties

The Advocacy Intern will guide the implementation of high quality, responsive, and timely activities that support the organization’s advocacy outcomes. This includes tracking legislation of interest to the organization, supporting the passage of the Parity on Board legislation, and assisting the Public Policy and Advocacy Senior Coordinator as necessary.  

The Advocacy Intern will report to the Public Policy and Advocacy Senior Coordinator.  

Position Outcomes

The successful Advocacy Intern will achieve the following outcomes:  

  • Gain experience working in a social justice space including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion skills.  
  • Learn about advocacy within a nonprofit and how to build community based coalitions.  
  • Gain an understanding of the Massachusetts political system.  
  • Gain virtual office experience in Outlook, Excel, Teams, professional email, networking and relationship building.  

Key Responsibilities

Advocacy

  • Create content and maintain social media campaign around Parity on Boards effort.  
  • Assist in planning hearing, gathering testimony, and executing legislative briefing for Parity on Boards effort. 
  • Attend relevant staff, Parity on Board, Advocacy Committee, and other coalition meetings as schedule permits.  

Thought Leadership and Development

  • Design and execute the creation of an inclusive advocacy guide. 
  • Research and compile one pager legislative debriefs on policy topics of interest to the organization. 
  • Generate, research and write blog post(s) around timely policy topics. 

Experience/Qualifications

The Advocacy Intern will be intellectually curious, effective communicators, strong relationship builders and good project managers. 

Specific qualifications include:

  • Enrolled in college or graduate school preferred 
  • Ability to manage multiple projects with tight deadlines while maintaining a focused attention to detail 
  • Ability to analyze information, summarize findings, and present them in ways easily understandable to decision-makers 
  • Ability to work both independently and as a part of a small team 
  • Exceptional oral and written communication skills, interpersonal and relationship-building skills, team-oriented, strong editorial and proof-reading skills, and a high level of attention to detail 
  • Demonstrated commitment to YW Boston’s mission to promote racial, gender and social equity in the City of Boston and state of Massachusetts 
  • An interest in personal and professional growth and continued learning in support of a more equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist society 

Preferred qualifications:

  • Experience working or volunteering with a social justice mission oriented organization a plus 
  • Experience in political organizing, coalition building, or advocacy is a plus 
  • Experience with Microsoft products such as Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 

Additional Organization Responsibilities

  • Adhere to organizational policies and procedures for maintaining organizational culture and transparency, including use of regularly scheduled progress meetings with Public Policy and Advocacy Senior Coordinator, Team meetings, scheduling, e-mail and other communications platforms. 
  • Positively represent the Agency in all interactions with the public.
  • Participate in organization events and perform additional tasks assigned by the Public Policy and Advocacy Senior Coordinator and/or President & CEO. 

Salary and Benefits

This is a temporary 10-15 hrs/week, non-exempt position. Hourly rate is $15. 

How to apply

YW Boston is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, and encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status, or to other non-work-related factors. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. At this time, YW Boston is not able to offer employment VISA sponsorships. 

Diverse candidates strongly encouraged to apply. Send a cover letter and a resume to jobs@ywboston.org. Please place the subject title “Advocacy Intern” in the headline of your email. Principals only. No phone calls, please.