INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY: MUSLIM PUBLIC AFFAIRS COUNCIL (MPAC)

PLEASE NOTE: This opportunity is listed for reference only. The deadline to apply has passed.

This is an unpaid internship opportunity from outside the Rockefeller Center.

Position Type: Internship - unpaid

Location: Washington, D.C.

Sector: Non-profit, Advocacy, Government

Start Date: Fall (September – December) 2019

Wage or benefits: Unpaid

Time Commitment: Minimum of 10 weeks for 10 hours a week during the Fall

Desired Class Year: Open to all years, including graduate students

Desired Major or Interest: Open to all majors

Application Deadline: June 1, 2019. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Organization website: https://www.mpac.org/

Brief Description of the organization:

Founded in 1988, the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) is a national public affairs nonprofit organization working to promote and strengthen American pluralism by increasing understanding and improving policies that impact American Muslims. Over the past 30 years, MPAC has built a reputation of being a dynamic and trusted American Muslim voice for policymakers, opinion shapers, and community organizers across the country.

Our staff, based in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles, are experts in designing and executing innovative and effective legislative, strategic messaging, and issue advocacy campaigns. We leverage our relationships with legislators, government agencies, executive departments, and thought leaders to improve policies on national security, civil liberties, immigration, public safety and religious freedom for all Americans. We also provide media analysis and messaging strategies to reporters and media professionals to inform public opinion and advise the entertainment industry on creating more humanizing and nuanced portrayals of Muslims and Islam. Equally important, we build alliances and coalitions with diverse communities to encourage active citizenship.

We thrive in the rapidly changing world of high-stakes policy and high-profile advocacy where strategic planning is critical, speed and messaging are essential, and thorough analysis is imperative. We do all these things to enrich American society and to exemplify core Islamic values of mercy, justice, peace, human dignity, freedom, and equality for all.

Brief Description of the Intern's role or key qualifications:

Based in the MPAC Washington D.C. office, you will develop leadership, communication, and critical and analysis skills in a dynamic and exciting work environment through hands-on experience in policy making, opinion-shaping, and public policy advocacy. You will work collaboratively with the team to develop policy positions through policy monitoring research and assessment and assist with external advocacy efforts and outreach. You will attend conferences, congressional hearings and meetings, academic lectures, and other events that come up during your time with MPAC.

Roles and responsibilities include:

  • Research and write news briefs and policy briefs
  • Develop and implement advocacy plans as they relate to government agencies, Congress, and the private sector
  • Attend conferences, congressional hearings and meetings, academic lectures, etc.
  • Organize and implement community engagement projects
  • Support staff in other policy and advocacy projects as they arise

Qualifications include:

  • Strong research and writing skills, particularly on policy and legislative issues
  • Familiarity with federal policymaking and legislative processes
  • Interest in public affairs advocacy as it relates to American Muslims and social justice

How to apply:

Individuals who meet all of the above requirements and qualifications may apply by submitting the following materials to internships@mpac.org.

Required application materials include a Cover Letter, Resume, Writing Sample (max. 5 pages), and References (contact information only, no letters).

Please make sure to specify in your cover letter which position and location you are applying for as well as your dates of availability. Format the email's subject according to the following model: "Fall DC Policy Intern Application."

Please note, due to the large volume of applicants, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Interested applicants from all academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply; however, preference will be given to those applicants with superior research, writing, organizational, and word-processing skills.

See http://internships.mpac.org/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwhPfkBRD0ARIsAAcYycHT3VhtQ3SGQO5Wfp3Bye1-YkyYP0iAzGYBuK3qty-itpxBdH2fi2EaAnE-EALw_wcB for more details.

This is a paid internship from outside the Rockefeller Center. Such opportunities are posted in an effort to help students find a leave-term internship experience in public policy or a social sciences related area. Such postings do not constitute an endorsement by the Center of the political objectives of any one person or organization.