Purpose or role of the position within the organization.

The School of Social Work promotes social justice and community well-being, aligning with the University’s mission of public service and social responsibility. The Public Affairs Assistant will support communication and outreach efforts, enhancing the School's engagement with the community and stakeholders.

The Center for Poverty and Social Policy (CPSP) produces cutting-edge research to advance the understanding of poverty and the role of social policy in reducing poverty. We use our expertise in poverty data and measurement to capture the impact of anti-poverty policy and programs and assess proposals for policy change nationwide and in New York City. The center is seeking a talented and part-time Public Affairs Assistant to support the policy and communications team with outreach.

Duties and responsibilities associated with the position and how they relate to the purpose or role.

The Public Affairs Assistant will help to build relationships and disseminate the center’s research and policy products to stakeholders, including poverty researchers, academics, policy-makers, community leaders, funders, and press. This role will include representing the Center at coalition meetings and public forums to educate strategic partners and engage new audiences. Additional duties include helping the team to: Develop messaging and materials to distill key narratives about our work to engage with national, state, and local policy actors and create framing on the efficacy of social policy to reduce poverty; Cultivate relationships with stakeholders; Track and maintain relationships with key stakeholders/ policy champions; Strategize the release and dissemination of rapid-response research products and press strategy to breaking news; Plan policy events, including the annual conference and poverty and social policy seminar; Identify new opportunities and platforms to raise the Center’s profile.

General qualifications for the position and the specific qualifications for the various levels or rates of pay associated with the position.

Candidates should have a combination of skills in writing, public speaking, policy research, social media, website, email, press, event management, and/or visual design. Requirements: Columbia graduate student (social work students encouraged to apply); Excellent writing and communication skills; Excellent computer skills; Strong networking and presentation skills; General understanding of the policy process and how government works; Ideal candidates will have an academic and/or professional interest in poverty and social policy research.

Additional Applicant Instructions

The position is flexible on hours. For more information about the role, contact sonia.huq@columbia.edu. Please indicate relevant skills on your resume.