Job Description
Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund (AFR Ed Fund) is seeking interns to help us lead the fight for financial justice. Please note that, due to the COVID-19 emergency, these are all virtual internships, as AFR Ed Fund will continue to take all precautionary measures to protect the health of its staff and the public.
Formed in the wake of the 2008 crisis, Americans for Financial Reform is working to lay the foundation for a strong, stable, and ethical financial system – one that serves the economy and the nation as a whole, rather than a select few, and we are looking for bright interns to join the fight!
Our Vision: A world where the rules that govern the economy center human needs and help all families and communities to flourish.
Our Mission: Fighting to create a financial system that deconstructs inequality and systemic racism and promotes a just and sustainable economy.
Please submit all applications by April 14, 2023
Internships available:
Policy Internships: The policy team is looking for four interns who are interested in economic justice and want to learn more about the financial services industry so they can help make it more inclusive and equitable. The Banking Policy Intern will work with policy analysts to learn about and address financial and regulatory issues related to the banking industry. The Fintech Policy Intern will work with policy analysts to learn about and address financial and regulatory issues related to the institutions that sit outside of the heavily regulated financial system, including FinTech companies. The Housing Justice Policy Intern will work with policy analysts to learn about and address financial and regulatory issues related to housing, including housing affordability, stemming the increasing role of private equity firms and large investors in the housing market, and mortgage lending.
Responsibilities for the Policy Interns will include:
- Providing research assistance for policy proposals
- Attending virtual and sometimes in-person hearings and providing one pager synopsis
- Writing blog posts, draft press releases, fact sheets, and social media content
- Monitoring and tracking federal and possibly state legislation, as well as news and other sources of information
- Supporting staff engagement and coordination with policymakers, thought leaders, allied organizations and key stakeholders, including preparation for meetings, briefings, hearings or other events
- Administrative duties as assigned
Consumer Financial Justice Policy and Campaigns Internship: The consumer team is seeking an intern who is interested in working to fight for financial justice. We fight for fair rules and equal treatment for consumers, against lenders who earn profit by taking advantage of people and we promote a strong, effective Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Having knowledge and experience with Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook platforms is a plus for this position.
Responsibilities for the Consumer Financial Justice Policy and Campaigns Intern will include:
- Staffing and attending meetings with coalition members, policymakers, and other stakeholders
- Developing - in collaboration with colleagues - and advancing AFR policy priorities in the areas of predatory lending, lending discrimination, debt collection, student debt and other abusive financial practices
- Writing policy memos, regulatory comment letters, reports, and other materials for a range of audiences, including coalition partners, regulatory staff, and Congressional offices.
- Analyzing and responding to policy proposals, legislation, and proposed rules
- Providing support and coordination for AFR’s issue task forces in these areas, including building the capacity of AFR’s coalition, facilitating collaboration, and developing and implementing strategies to advance our policy goals
- Providing support for a variety of coalition activities, including meetings, actions, briefings, virtual events petition deliveries, Congressional hearings, etc
- Contributing to digital strategy and content for social media accounts
- Engaging in research to highlight the problems in consumer finance and especially drawing connections to the intersection of race, class, finance and politics
- Producing materials that collect and summarize important developments in consumer finance and predatory lending
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
Ideal candidates must have a strong commitment to racial justice, economic justice, and social justice. They should have excellent written and oral communication skills, high proficiency with general office software (Microsoft Word, Excel, Paint and PowerPoint preferred), and knowledge and experience with social networks. Candidates must also be detail oriented, with solid judgment and good relationship-building skills.
Compensation:
AFR Ed Fund offers interns a compensation of $16.10/hour, together with stimulating, soul-satisfying work, and a crash course in public-interest advocacy, financial regulation, communications, and coalition building. Academic credit is available as well.
Covid Location Adjustment:
Due to COVID-19, all positions will be telework internships, and meetings and orientation will take place via Zoom or other teleconference apps.
To apply:
Please send a resume, a cover letter, a brief writing sample, and three references to internships@ourfinancialsecurity.org. Please specify in your email the specific internship(s) to which you are applying (for the Policy Internships please specify which policy area(s) you are interested in). Please note that we are only able to hire residents of the following states: Alaska, California, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Washington (state), Wyoming.
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Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or disability. AFR Ed Fund is located at 1615 L Street NW in downtown Washington, D.C.
Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund is aware that for-profit companies have been selling services related to our internship program. Please be aware that AFR Education Fund is not collaborating nor partnering with any such companies and paying for such services does not guarantee placement in our internship program. AFR Education Fund does not charge any fees at any stage of the application and selection process.