Special Projects Specialist (2-yr Post Grad Paid Fellowship)
Project Rousseau Special Projects Specialist
(2-Year Post-Graduation Fellowship)
The Special Projects Fellowship is a unique opportunity for recent college graduates to gain exposure to direct student-facing service delivery, the policy landscape in which Project Rousseau operates, and the strategic operations of a non-profit organization.
The Fellowship is a 2-year commitment and offers exceptional opportunities to develop a broad skill set for those considering a career in policy, law, or the public sector. The Fellowship is an ideal foundation for those applying to law school, public policy school, or doctoral programs. Our inaugural Special Projects Fellow was accepted to Harvard Law School.
The exact nature of the Special Projects Fellow’s role is tailored to the Fellow’s interests and organizational needs. The Fellow will provide direct support to Project Rousseau’s Founder. Examples of previous Special Projects initiatives include:
- Reacting to current affairs and humanitarian crises to ensure Project Rousseau’s timely response, for example, leading the organization’s response to the war in Ukraine by preparing memos on legislative responses, liaising with stakeholders on the ground, and strategizing fundraising efforts.
- Leading an initiative to apply for DOJ Recognition and Accreditation to give Project Rousseau the ability to provide in-house legal services. Future fellows will be able to apply for DOJ Accredited Rep. status and, if approved, will provide direct legal services to students.
- Acting as a research assistant to the Founder to prepare op-eds and chapters for publication in outlets such as Foreign Affairs, New England Journal of Medicine, and Oxford University Press.
- Conducting prospect research and collaborating with leadership on fundraising and development strategies, including cultivating relationships with Fortune 500 companies, some of the world’s largest philanthropic foundations, and UHNW families.
- Supporting the growth of Project Rousseau’s operations on Rosebud Indian Reservation, including liaising with leading Native American advocacy groups to organize a Peacemaking Conference for Lakota youth, collaborating with tribal council, elders, and community leaders, and designing a culturally responsive STEM curriculum for a youth summer program.
- Preparing the Founder for speaking engagements, including at universities such as Yale and Sciences Po, and meetings with city-wide social service agencies, policymakers, and significant cultural institutions.
- Researching, preparing, and writing grant proposals to private foundations, large corporations, and city funding agencies.
In addition to playing a leading role in Special Projects such as those previously described, the Fellow will also:
- Work on a small team to provide holistic services directly to the highest-need youth at a registered 501(c)(3)
- Advise caseworkers and mentors on exceptionally complex student needs cases, such as a student seeking SIJS findings in family court during removal proceedings
- Work directly with leadership on high-level organizational strategy, including diversification of funding streams, program evaluation, and sustainable scaling plans
- Mentor students, tutor students, and play a leading role in program delivery across all of Project Rousseau’s programs
- Provide special assistance to the Executive Director and Chief of Staff staff in everyday activities.
The Fellowship has an annual salary of $45,000-50,000 plus a contribution to healthcare. Further, the Fellow will be entitled to up to two weeks of paid study leave to prepare for graduate school entry. The Fellowship starts between May and August 2023.
The position is based in NYC, and the Fellow will be expected to serve most of their fellowship in person, however, there is some flexibility for periods of remote work.
Fellows are encouraged to apply early, and applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.