Student Intern

Internship Summary

The Arcus Foundation seeks a Student Intern (‘Intern’) for the Social Justice Program to provide essential research support to the mid-course strategy evaluation and learning project, known internally as “the Deep Dive.” The Intern will report directly to the Vice President, Social Justice, and will be responsible for conducting desk and interview research for data and information related to the current experiential and legal contexts for LGBTQ people living in the Social Justice Program’s priority regions, focal countries, and U.S. states.

This data will be used to measure progress or lack thereof against baseline measures undertaken when the program’s strategy was launched in 2018. The Intern will be expected to research data sources, including public opinion polling, applicable pro- and anti-LGBTQ policies, data on hate violence, movement capacity, and other sources relevant to assessing the safety, policy protections, and acceptance/inclusion of LGBTQ people in the geographic areas where Arcus funds (hereinafter referred to as the areas of focus).

About Arcus Foundation

Founded in 2000 by Jon Stryker, the Arcus Foundation is a private grantmaking institution dedicated to the idea that people can live in harmony with one another and the natural world. Arcus’ work is based on the belief that respect for diversity among people and in nature is essential to a positive future for our planet and all its inhabitants. For more than 20 years, the Social Justice Program at Arcus has been a driving force behind groundbreaking work to ensure equality for LGBTQ people, and the Great Apes & Gibbons Program has provided visionary conservation leadership to protect and enhance the lives of great apes and gibbons. The Foundation works globally and has offices in New York City and Cambridge, UK. To learn more, visit www.arcusfoundation.org.  

About the Social Justice Program

The long-term goal of the Social Justice Program is for greater safety, protections, acceptance, and inclusion for LGBTQ people. The Foundation makes grants within the United States and globally in our focus geographies. Our work is deeply intersectional and seeks to center those most marginalized by systemic oppression. We prioritize work that is local, rooted in lived experience, and aimed at transforming current power structures. Supporting trans activists and inclusive faith communities are two long-standing and cross-cutting themes in our grantmaking portfolio. We try to approach our grantmaking relationships with an awareness of inherent power dynamics and a high degree of humility, and we value the vision and voice of those whom we fund. Most of our grants are general operating support and multi-year.         

Key Responsibilities

Research

• Obtain data and information from online sources and from relevant Arcus reports that provide the current context related to the areas of focus and that update the baseline measures, when possible. This will include sources that have been recommended by Arcus staff and consultants as well as sources identified by the Intern.
• Consult with relevant Arcus staff and the Arcus Social Justice (SJ) consultant as directed to validate the relevance and reliability of the data obtained.
• Obtain data and information from Arcus grantees as directed by Arcus staff and the SJ consultant.

Documentation

• Document and summarize research findings (i.e., data and information) for use by the SJ team and the SJ Consultant.
• Relate the data and information obtained to the specific area of focus, i.e., the SJ goals and geographic area.

General

• Attend Social Justice meetings related to the Deep Dive project.
• Review relevant strategy and evaluation documents and reports to gain an understanding of the program’s strategy and past evaluation processes.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate should be currently enrolled as an undergraduate (Junior or Senior) or graduate student with experience in researching public policy and social justice issues. Additional qualifications include:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of and interest in human rights generally or LGBTQ+ rights specifically
• Ability to balance course work with internship (experience with prior internships or employment while a full-time student is desirable but not required)
• Familiarity with online research sources, including, for example, public opinion polling and policy status
• Ability to analyze, contextualize, and summarize information and data 
• Ability to work in person from our New York City office, located at 445 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10016 approximately 10-15 hours per week (exact days and times to be agreed upon)

Compensation

This internship is a part-time non-exempt position with a salary of $19.00-$21.00 per hour, and will run from March 1-June 30, 2023.

How to Apply

At this link, please submit a résumé and a cover letter telling us about your interest in this role. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through February 15, 2023. If you have any questions about the role, please reach out to contact@arcusfoundation.org.  

The Arcus Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and is firmly committed to complying with all federal, state, and local equal employment opportunity laws. The Arcus Foundation prohibits discrimination against employees and applicants for employment because of the individual’s race or color, religion or creed, immigrant, citizenship or non-citizen status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, intersex status, sexual and reproductive health decisions or decision making (of employees or their dependents), disability, marital status, familial status, domestic partnership status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, pre-employment arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by law. The Arcus Foundation also considers for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with federal, state, and local law.