Organizing and Advocacy Intern

The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker religious organization that promotes lasting peace with justice, as a practical expression of faith in action. Drawing on continuing spiritual insights and working with people of many backgrounds, we nurture the seeds of change and respect for human life that transform social relations and systems.

Join Our Team!    Make A Difference.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

TITLE:                                                             Organizing and Advocacy Intern

JOB CATEGORY:                                           Non-Exempt (Hourly)

STATUS:                                                         Part-Time, 21 hours per week

TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT:                            Temporary 10 weeks

DIRECT SUPERVISOR:                                 Organizing and Advocacy Director

REGION/UNIT:                                             US/Northeast 

LOCATION:                                                   Newark, NJ, USA              Hybrid. In office twice per week Mondays and Wednesdays.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:                         June 1, 2026.

For consideration, please attach your Cover Letter and Resume to the online application in addition to answering the Application Questions.

GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Organizing and Advocacy Intern will work with Immigrant Rights Program staff to promote program vision and activities via organizing, outreach and education. The Organizing Intern will conduct outreach to legislators, rapid response organizations, and families of community members affected by detention and deportation. The Organizing Intern will coordinate meetings and provide support to immigrant families as well as contribute to the creation of a volunteer pipeline to support program activities. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Conduct outreach to AFSC’s existing clients’ families and other community members affected by detention and deportation.


• Support the creation of a volunteer pipeline for the program. 


• Document trends and detention facilities detected by rapid responders, organizers, and communities. 


• Develop easy to use guides for communities on family preparedness and detention.


• Support meetings and minute taking during legislative meetings.


• Documenting and internalize promoting actions and activities in which the program is participating. 


• Support and participate in office wide organizing events when necessary. 


• Help coordinate community events that aim at engaging Black immigrants in immigration organizing. 


• Help create materials as needed. 


• Meet regularly with supervisor.


• Regular attendance and punctuality are required.


• Operates safely in all conditions and follows policies and procedures.


• Other duties and projects as assigned.

SUPERVISORY / MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS

NA

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.


• Minimum one year of demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in multicultural contexts required.


• Familiarity with the challenges facing immigrant communities.


• Ability to work evenings and/or weekends and to travel, as


• Ability to work effectively independently and within a team environment.


• Experience with standard Microsoft Office and related technology.


• Must be capable of working under tight time constraints in a high-volume environment with multiple priorities.


• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.


• Respect for Quaker values and testimonies. Knowledgeable and supportive of the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee including non-violence and the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.


• Respect for and sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, racial, gender and religious diversity and familiarity with non-violent approaches to problem solving.


• Ability to organize, plan ahead and prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.


• Demonstrated dedication to the principles of fairness, equity and inclusion in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

COMPENSATION

The AFSC offers a competitive Total Rewards package.  This position is Non-Exempt Salary Family: Intern Job Code Intern Minimum Hourly Rate $20.   There are no medical, dental, or life insurance benefits, short-term or long-term insurance benefits with this position. AFSC does participate in unemployment, worker’s compensation, and social security.

The American Friends Service Committee provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.  The policy applies to all terms and conditions or employment including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. 

AFSC’s Central Office and some of its offices in the U.S. are unionized workplaces. This position is not represented.

AFSC maintains a deep commitment to a mandate of care for our staff and communities.  The American Friends Service Committee is a smoke-free workplace. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This position is an at-will employment, meaning that the employment relationship can be terminated by either the employer or the employee at any time, for any reason, with or without notice.  In addition, position duties and expectations change over time.  This job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive, exclusive or exhaustive list of the job functions that an employee in this position may be asked to perform from time to time.  The employee may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. If there is ever a time that you are unsure what is expected of you, you are expected to meet with your manager and ask questions. If you are unsure how to perform a certain task, ask your manager before performing.