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 grasstop 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 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 MEL Intern will provide capacity support to the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team within Vera’s Impact Pipeline Department. This position will focus on special projects and administrative duties for the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team that support the work of the Impact Pipeline as a whole. Vera’s Impact Pipeline develops, pilots, and scales ideas, projects, and initiatives that have the potential to transform criminal legal/immigration systems.  

The MEL Intern will work under the supervision of the Director of MEL and in close collaboration with the Impact Strategy & MEL Coordinator, MEL Associates, and other Impact Pipeline team colleagues. Tasks include but are not limited to: 

  1. Drafting, streamlining & organizing team files/documentation/online tools, and other administrative support tasks 
  1. Consolidating and synthesizing resources relating to MEL and strategic learning 
  1. Assisting with special projects as they relate to strategy and evaluation 
  1. Readings and light research relating to initiatives/projects on the pipeline, program evaluation, and organizational learning 

This internship will conclude on May 19, date flexible to scheduling needs

Primary Responsibilities:

Drafting, streamlining & organizing team files/documentation/online tools, and other administrative support tasks

  • Support the coordination and integration of activities, tools, and resources across the Impact Pipeline, drawing from and building on components of initiatives’ strategic planning documents 
  • Synthesize resources relating to MEL and strategy to support initiatives 
  • Support knowledge management of MEL resources and files  
  • Support the development of tools and templates for MEL and project planning 

Consolidating and synthesizing resources relating to MEL and strategic learning

  • Desk research and resource development regarding community engagement, strategic learning, MEL for advocacy, and narrative change 
  • Support the development of MEL guidance and resource library for initiative teams  
  • Support the development of presentations, templates, and activities related to evaluation, documentation, and learning across the impact pipeline

Assisting with other projects as they relate to strategy and evaluation

  • Support the search for an organizational tool to support Vera’s first knowledge-library 
  • Support the development of rubrics for understanding key approaches across initiatives 
  • Support the MEL team in identifying other software and services for improving and advancing learning culture at Vera

Readings and light research relating to initiatives/projects on the pipeline, program evaluation, and organizational learning 

  • Gain a foundational understanding of organizational learning, theory of change, outcome maps, and learning questions 
  • Understand and identify criminal-legal and immigration system issues as related to initiative/projects on pipeline 
  • Identify other organizations doing MEL for related issues 

Education and Experience:  

Required:  

  • Currently enrolled in a graduate program 

Preferred: 

  • Some coursework or experience related to evaluation, organizational learning, program/project management, and/or change management  

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

  • A demonstrated commitment to racial equity and social justice, 
  • The ability to work both independently and with others efficiently and effectively; and 
  • Strong writing and communications skills;  
  • Interest in monitoring, evaluation, and learning as a tool for applying evidence and analysis to inform program design, improve outcomes, and ensure accountability

List of Required Software applications: 

  • Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or similar software  

Schedule

The intern should be available to work up to 20 hours per week for six months. This internship will conclude on May 19 with some possibility for extension, date flexible to scheduling needs..

Location: 

Please note that this internship can be done in Brooklyn, N.Y., Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, C.A., and remotely.

Compensation and Benefits:

The compensation range for this position is $16-$25 hourly.  Compensation is commensurate with educational background and work or other experience. Applicants may choose to receive academic credit for an internship/externship. For those who need to earn academic credit, Vera will gladly assist in working with the school or program to make arrangements and meet requirements.  

Applications may also be faxed to:

ATTN: People Resources / Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Intern, Impact Pipeline 

Vera Institute of Justice
34 35th St, Suite 4-2A, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Fax: (212) 941-9407
Please use only one method (online, mail or fax) of submission.
No phone calls, please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

As a federal contractor, and in order to ensure a healthy and safe work environment, Vera Institute of Justice is requiring all employees to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccine before their start date. Employees who cannot receive the vaccine because of a disability/medical contraindication or sincerely-held religious belief may request an accommodation (e.g., an exemption) to this requirement.

Vera is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.  All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status. 

Vera works to advance justice, particularly racial justice, in an increasingly multicultural country and globally connected world. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact, and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission. 

For more information about Vera, please visit www.vera.org

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