Vera Institute for Justice
Race, Equity, and Inclusion (REI) Intern
Who we are
The Vera Institute of Justice, founded in 1961, is a nonprofit criminal justice organization that strives to build just government institutions and safe communities free from the scourge of racism, white supremacy, profit, and inequity that is pervasive in this country’s legal systems. We are an “inside” lane organization that drives change at scale with ambitious public sector leaders who share our commitment to building anti-racist, reparative systems that deliver justice. We leverage our access to government to transform these systems and work collaboratively with stakeholders across many movements—including advocacy, grassroots, and grassroots organizations. Our role is to pilot solutions that are transformative and achievable, harness the power of evidence to drive effective policy and practice, and use advocacy and communications to change narratives and norms.
Vera has a staff of almost 300 people and offices in New York City, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, and New Orleans. We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity in the workplace. We expect our staff to embody respect, independence, collaboration, commitment, anti-racism, and equity—both in our outward-facing work and the internal culture of our workplace. We value a range of experiences in people’s educational backgrounds and encourage people who have been directly impacted by the criminal justice system to apply.
Who you are
The Race, Equity, and Inclusion (REI) intern will provide support and thought partnership to the REI Associate and REI Director to embed antiracist and equity principles and values in Vera’s policies, programs and practices. The REI intern will provide support for REI operations and short- and long-term projects, conduct research and assist with other tasks, as necessary. The REI intern will have opportunities for professional development and chances to work in collaboration with other departments to advance equity.
In this role, you will:
- Administrative Support
- Attend meetings and debrief sessions and take comprehensive notes
- Assist with meeting logistics
- Support the drafting and organizing of the REI Newsletter
- Collect and submit posts to Vera Posts, Vera's internal newsletter
- Support REI Associate in administering the Racial Equity Fund
- Other, as necessary
- Project management support for the REI Action Plan
- Help strategize and organize project plans for the REI Action Plan
- Draft and organize documents for Action Plan deliverables
- Collaborate with REI, Executive, People Resources departments and other teams as necessary to assist in implementation.
- Provide thought partnership around Institute-wide messaging and communications
- Conduct research for the following projects:
- Consultant bank - research on antiracist facilitators or trainers
- Best equitable practices as it relates to deliverables in the Action Plan
- REI monthly newsletter resources
- Internal REI/Executive presentations
- Other, as necessary
- Expanding personal and REI team equity journey
- Watch and provide written and verbal summaries of antiracist and equity trainings/workshops
- Keep REI team up to date on any DEI or equity trainings, articles, news.
What qualifications do you need?
Required:
- Passion for racial justice, social equity, and an understanding of systemic and institutional racial bias.
- Works collaboratively in a team environment and efficiently on an independent basis.
- Desire to work with many people across hierarchy, program, and lines of identity
- Desire to advance personal and professional equity journey.
- Ability to work both independently and proactively as well as collaboratively.
- Fast and flexible learner of various software applications and technology.
Preferred:
- 0-1 years of administrative, support, or operations experience
List of Required Software applications:
- Proficient with Microsoft Suite, including OneDrive
- Proficient with Zoom
- Smartsheet or other project management software experience preferred, but not required.
- Mailchimp experience preferred, but not required.
