Senior Editor, Communications and External Affairs at Vera Institute of Justice

New York, United States

Vera Institute of Justice Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Non-Profit, Criminal Justice, Public PolicyIndustries

Requirements

  • Experience writing about criminal justice and immigration reform at the state and federal level
  • Ability to conceive, research, and write a wide variety of communications products (e.g., blog posts, articles, op-eds, multimedia scripts, fact sheets, policy briefs, reports, webpages) for traditional and digital media
  • Skills in monitoring political and policy landscapes daily, including legislative developments, hearings, elections, and administrative actions
  • Ability to synthesize complex political developments into accessible, mission-driven content
  • Experience collaborating with editorial, advocacy, and program teams through research, revisions, editing, design, and dissemination
  • Ability to serve as a liaison between Communications and program teams, providing reports on strategies, goals, processes, and updates
  • Commitment to embodying respect, independence, collaboration, commitment, anti-racism, and equity

Responsibilities

  • Conceive, research, and write communications products (e.g., blog posts, articles, op-eds, policy explainers, rapid-response pieces) connecting political/governmental developments to Vera’s mission
  • Write at least one short article or analysis each week contextualizing key events or policy actions in Vera’s issue areas
  • Identify opportunities for in-depth feature stories (“spotlights”) on justice reform and government decision-making
  • Collaborate with editorial, advocacy, and program teams to refine ideas, shape narratives, ensure accuracy, tone, and alignment with communications strategy
  • Monitor political and policy landscape daily, tracking major developments affecting Vera’s issue areas
  • Synthesize complex developments into accessible content highlighting Vera’s perspective and expertise
  • Support rapid-response communications by drafting timely statements, talking points, or analyses with leadership and communications team
  • Serve as a bridge between communications, advocacy, and program teams to articulate positions on emerging issues
  • Partner with internal experts to surface stories and insights showcasing Vera’s policy impact
  • Contribute to messaging strategy across platforms for consistent, politically informed framing

Skills

writing
editing
communications
policy writing
op-eds
blog posts
fact sheets
policy briefs
research
criminal justice
immigration reform
rapid response content
multimedia scripts

Vera Institute of Justice

Addresses injustices in law enforcement and society

About Vera Institute of Justice

Vera Institute of Justice focuses on addressing significant social issues related to justice and law enforcement. The organization collaborates with various partners to confront challenges such as mass incarceration, racial inequalities, and the erosion of public trust in law enforcement. Their work also extends to supporting vulnerable and marginalized communities, as well as individuals affected by crime and violence. Unlike many organizations, Vera Institute emphasizes a collaborative approach, bringing together diverse stakeholders to create effective solutions. The ultimate goal of Vera Institute is to promote a fair and equitable justice system that serves all members of society.

New York City, New YorkHeadquarters
1961Year Founded
$243.2KTotal Funding
GRANTCompany Stage
Government & Public Sector, Social ImpactIndustries
201-500Employees

Benefits

Health Insurance
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Student Loan Assistance
Professional Development Budget
401(k) Retirement Plan
Flexible Work Hours

Risks

Unionization could lead to higher labor costs and potential disruptions.
Partnership on 'Dignity Principles' may face scrutiny if not effectively implemented.
Securus' educational expansion might overshadow Vera's initiatives in the same area.

Differentiation

Vera collaborates with JLUSA on 'Dignity Principles' to enhance criminal justice reform.
Focus on educational technology aligns with mission to reduce recidivism and mass incarceration.
Utilizes AI to enforce privacy, security, and fairness, enhancing social innovation strategies.

Upsides

Increased educational tech in prisons aligns with Vera's mission to reduce recidivism.
Unionization may improve working conditions, boosting organizational effectiveness.
Chubb Rule of Law Fund offers partnership opportunities for racial justice initiatives.

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