About Urban Institute:

At the Urban Institute, we believe in the power of evidence to improve lives and strengthen communities. As a nonprofit focusing on social and economic policy, our researchers and policy entrepreneurs open minds, shape decisions, and identify transformative solutions to the most pressing issues of our time.

Our Mission

To open minds, shape decisions, and offer solutions through economic and social policy research.

Our Values

Collaboration, Equity, Inclusivity, Independence, and Integrity

For more information on the Urban Institute, please visit https://www.urban.org.

The Opportunity:

Join us at the Urban Institute for a dynamic internship opportunity within our Executive Office. As an intern, you'll have the unique chance to work closely with our president and executive team, contributing to vital governance and programmatic functions that drive the mission of our organization forward. This internship offers a deep dive into nonprofit management, providing exposure to board coordination, internal and external communications, executive support, meeting preparation, and systems management.

In the process, you will collaborate with skilled administrators and policy experts across the organization and beyond in the nation’s epicenter of public policy - Washington, DC. Your work will have an impact on the management and future direction of a leading research organization.

What You’ll Do:

As an intern within Urban's Executive Office, you'll play a vital role in supporting various projects and initiatives spanning non-profit governance, internal communications, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). While specific projects may vary based on organizational needs, you can expect to:

• Collaborate with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) team to support and advance DEI efforts across the organization, including participation in DEI Committee meetings and contributing to initiatives aimed at fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace.
• Assist in the management of the Board of Trustees, supporting board development efforts by researching prospective trustees, preparing materials for board meetings, and coordinating strategic outreach initiatives.
• Play a key role in internal communications by coordinating and organizing internal employee engagement events, such as weekly lunches and happy hours, ensuring these events are well-planned and executed to enhance staff engagement and morale.
• Based on intern’s experience, utilize video editing skills to assist in creating and editing short videos for internal communications purposes.
• Help track deliverables against project plans and complete discrete special assignments by establishing objectives, determining priorities, managing time, gaining the cooperation of others, monitoring progress, problem-solving, and adjusting plans as necessary.
• Undertake other projects and duties as assigned, contributing to the overall goals and objectives of the Executive Office.

Who You Are:

The successful candidate will:

Academic Pursuit: Be a rising junior or senior actively pursuing a bachelor’s degree, preferably in a relevant field such as public policy or social sciences.

Technological Proficiency: Demonstrate advanced proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Confidentiality and Professionalism: Exercise a strict level of confidentiality, using professional judgment and discretion when handling sensitive information and interactions within the organization.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: Exhibit a strong commitment to principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), evidenced by previous experience or coursework in DEI-related topics.

Curiosity and Engagement: Possess intellectual curiosity for the intersection of management, governance, and/or public policy questions, demonstrating an eagerness to engage with complex issues and drive meaningful change.

Effective Communication: Demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills, adept at conveying complex ideas and addressing sensitive topics in a clear, concise, and professional manner to diverse audiences.

Research Aptitude: Showcase strong research skills, enabling effective gathering, analysis, and synthesis of information to support decision-making processes and project implementation.

Team Collaboration: Display a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team environment, fostering effective communication, cooperation, and synergy to achieve common goals and objectives.

Adaptability and Prioritization: Have experience managing numerous requests/deliverables simultaneously, demonstrating the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with multiple and changing priorities.

Video Editing Skills (Preferred): While not required, experience with video editing is preferred, showcasing proficiency in multimedia production and an added asset to the role.

Program Highlights:

• 10-week paid internship; full-time preferred, but strong candidates will be considered for part-time positions
• Internship program designed to provide students interested in research, public policy issues, and organizational operations with rewarding and substantive work assignments that contribute to Urban’s mission
• Intern Program Dates: June 10th to August 9th 2024
• Participate in our New Intern “Welcome” Orientation
• Network with Operations Staff, Senior Professionals, and others who will support your professional growth and career interests
• Participate in intern-specific workshops and networking events designed to advance your professional development and build your soft skills
• Engage in team-building activities that forge new friendships with other Urban Interns
• Receive informal feedback and mentoring from your intern manager
• Present the value of your contribution and what you learned during our End of Summer Lightning Talks

What You’ll Experience:

No matter your role with Urban, you will contribute to meaningful work that makes a difference for people and communities across the country. And whether you call the Washington, DC area or elsewhere home, you can expect to be part of a welcoming and hybrid workplace. We are committed to cultivating a community and working in a manner defined by collaboration, equity, inclusivity, independence, and integrity.

Urban’s greatest asset is our people.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned. This posting is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Urban management reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

The Urban Institute is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, veteran status, pregnancy or family responsibilities, matriculation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected status under applicable law. The Urban Institute is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Minorities/Women/Disabilities/Veterans.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you have a physical and/or mental disability and are interested in applying for employment and need special accommodations to use our website to apply for a position, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@urban.org. Reasonable accommodation requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.