Summer Program and Policy Intern

The National Alliance to End Homelessness (the Alliance) is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization committed to preventing and ending homelessness in the United States. The Alliance uses data and research to identify solutions to homelessness; works with Congress and the Administration to support and advance these solutions; and helps communities to implement the solutions. Recognizing the disproportionality of people of color who experience homelessness and the disparities that cause this, it undertakes its work in the context of achieving racial equity. 

If you are committed to helping the nation SOLVE the problem of homelessness, consider joining the Alliance. 

What we are looking for: 

The Alliance is looking for four talented Summer Interns who are committed to helping end homelessness through federal policy and improved programs and practice. A Summer Program and Policy Intern will be part of an internship cohort at the Alliance as part of the Program and Policy team. The Alliance’s Policy team uses data and research, and deep familiarity with the way programs work on the ground around the country, to determine what policies will have the greatest impact for the amount of time, money, and effort invested and promotes said policy. 

The internship cohort will include opportunities to collaborate with senior staff, access and interact with national partners, attend external events in the Washington, DC area, and participate in the Alliance’s annual National Conference on Ending Homelessness and the corresponding Hill Day. We seek candidates with high energy, excellent organizational and communications skills, and an interest in homelessness and housing. Successful interns will value close collaboration with team members but will also be self-motivated and able to work independently. 

What you will do: 

A Summer Policy Intern will assist in projects with the program and policy team as well as support efforts around the Alliance’s National Conference on Ending Homelessness in July, and accompanying Capitol Hill Day in Washington DC. The policy and program team analyzes legislation and supports policy development, mobilizes advocates in the field, and develops resources for decision-makers. The intern can expect to work on a wide variety of issues, including the criminalization of homelessness, supporting federal programs that prevent and end homelessness, and the intersection of homelessness with environmental and immigration justice. Candidates should indicate what types of projects and topic areas are of most interest to them and should describe the experience and skills they would bring to projects in those interest areas. 

Responsibilities will vary based on the candidate’s interests and experience, as well as the areas the Alliance is working on at the time: 

• Draft communications and generate content: This may include assisting in drafting and editing policy briefs and blogs, subject matter deep dives, and website content. 

• Conduct research: This may include research into existing or proposed legislation or policies at the state and federal level, research into best practices for homelessness response services, or research on media placements or media tracking tasks, including the development of a position paper on a topic jointly agreed upon by intern and manager. 

• Conduct and compiling interviews: This may include interviewing local or national stakeholders for policy or communications purposes and conducting interviews with consumers who have experienced homelessness. 

• Support staff projects: This may include administrative tasks on projects developed by the policy team like taking meeting notes, drafting and upkeeping documents and spreadsheets, data entry and database organizing, and attending (with and without Alliance staff) various opportunities for professional development, including policy forums, Congressional briefings, community meetings, and others. 

• Collaborate on Capitol Hill Day management: This may include coordinating with Congressional offices, planning advocate materials, communicating with state level advocates, and drafting and submitting follow up to participants to encourage future engagement. 

We are looking for candidates with:  

• Candidates with prior life experience or work experience in homeless or low-income communities, communities of color, and/or LGBTQ communities are encouraged to apply. 

• Demonstrated interest in at least one of the following areas: public policy analysis, communications, and relationship building with individuals and groups, all focused on homelessness and poverty issues. 

• Demonstrated experience and ability to recognize and respond to the ways race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity intersect to further promote racial equity and social justice. 

• Demonstrated interest in working with marginalized or vulnerable populations (e.g., LGBTQ, people with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness, etc.). 

• Previous research, data, and/or outreach experience. 

• Strong professional verbal and written communication skills. 

• Ability to pursue own projects and meet deadlines with limited supervision. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office. 

• Proficiency with digital technologies (for interns on communications projects), including video editing and graphic editing is a plus. 

What we can offer you: 

The Alliance is strong, flexible team of professionals that works collaboratively to achieve its mission of preventing and ending homelessness in the nation. We offer interns a supportive work environment in which they receive opportunities to contribute to and direct activities that align with their learning goals in the pursuit of solutions to a national social problem.  

Additional benefits include: 

• 3 paid vacation days and 2 paid sick leave days during the 10-week period of June 8-August 14 (leave pro-rated based on start and end dates)  

• Paid Federal Holidays 

How to Apply:

We accept online applications only. Please visit our Careers page at https://naeh.bamboohr.com/careers 

Include resume, cover letter, and a short writing sample (no more than three pages, can be an excerpt from a larger work). 

Please note: No phone calls please. Only those selected to participate in our hiring process will be contacted.

The Alliance is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.