State and Local Policy and Advocacy Intern
Based in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Government Relations & Advocacy team builds the organization’s advocacy capacity by providing the U.S. Habitat network with technical assistance and strategic support to effect policy change and allow Habitat to serve more families. The GRA team maintains relationships with U.S. based affiliates working across all states and municipalities to improve housing affordability.
What will your internship look like?
You will be mentored by Habitat’s Associate Director, state and local relations and learn from other U.S. Government Relations and Advocacy policy and campaigns colleagues. We are looking for someone who wants to strengthen their writing, editing, communications, and project management experience. This role will invite you to be curious about state and local policy trends and support the network’s learning. You will be exposed to a wide array of policy issues related to Habitat’s U.S. state and local policy and advocacy priorities.
This position is a 16-22 hours/week, $20hr paid internship based remotely. Flexible start dates are between Jan. 13th 2025, and Feb. 13th, 2025. The internship will end May 23rd, 2025.
What’s in it for you?
You will gain a deeper understanding of how Habitat for Humanity affiliates and affiliate support organizations are increasing their impact through changing policies that influence access to stable and affordable housing. In addition to increased policy and research knowledge and skills, you will experience other aspects of Habitat’s government relations and advocacy work and will acquire a firm grasp of the housing sector and various advocacy tactics.
Primary Responsibilities:
* Provide support in the development of the state and local policy data systems and on affiliates members’ interests.
* Track U.S. state and local policies related to housing.
* Support the development of policy and advocacy resources on My.Habitat.
* Attend virtual and in-person relevant U.S. state and local policy events and provide summaries to U.S. policy and advocacy team.
* Proofread and edit documents produced by the team.
* Take meeting notes and scheduling meetings as requested.
Minimum Qualifications:
* Current undergraduate or graduate student.
* Passion for writing and researching.
* Strong interest in state and local government and related public policies.
* Can balance working independently and collaboratively with colleagues.
Preferred Qualifications:
* Communications or visual design skills for enhancing the usability of reports.
* Experience applying an equity lens to work.
* Working remotely on the east coast or living in the Washington D.C. area to be in the same time zone as the supervisor.
About Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity, founded in 1976, is a global, Christian-based nonprofit organization that grew out of an intentionally multi-racial community in rural Georgia. Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat brings together people of all faiths and people of no faith to build homes, communities and hope. Working alongside each other, we help families and individuals build and improve places to call home and achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Habitat seeks individuals who have a willingness to affirm these principles and values.
At Habitat for Humanity International, we embrace a history rooted in creating equity and take our mission seriously by courageously committing to a culture and workplace where all staff feel safe, welcome, visible, respected, supported and valued. As an equal opportunity employer, we realize that our success depends upon building an inclusive workforce of diverse perspectives and encourage people of varied races (which is inclusive of traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, protective hairstyles and hair texture), ethnicities, national origins, tribes, religions, ages, gender identities and expressions, genders, sexual orientations, marital statuses, disabilities, veteran/reserve national guard statuses, socio-economic statuses, thinking and communication styles to work with us.
We also require that all staff take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguarding our intended beneficiaries, their communities (especially children), and all those with whom we work. In line with the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, all staff must pass a thorough background screening and will be held accountable to upholding our policies around ethical behavior, including safeguarding and whistleblowing.