Special Projects - Technology & Innovation (Volunteer)

Special Projects - Technology & Innovation (Volunteer)

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division: Technology, Innovation & Digital Infrastructure

Location: New York City and/or Remote via Google Meet

Type: Volunteer (Unpaid)

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City nonprofit dedicated to supporting children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability. Through mentorship, academic enrichment, literacy development, social-emotional learning, creative expression, storytelling, and community-centered innovation, MAP creates safe, consistent, and empowering spaces where young people can thrive.

MAP operates across in-person and virtual environments, including MAP Roots, MAP Connect, PromisePlay, PromisePress, Thread & Promise, and multiple storytelling and media platforms. Technology plays a critical role in how we serve youth, protect data, support volunteers, and expand access with care.

Why This Role Matters

Special Projects - Technology & Innovation ensures that MAP’s technology and innovation efforts are ethical, secure, accessible, and aligned with human dignity.

This role exists to guide MAP’s digital growth responsibly—making sure innovation never outpaces care, security, or equity. This position protects youth data, supports staff and volunteers with reliable systems, and leads innovation that is grounded in real community needs rather than trends.

This position is a strategic executive leader and thought partner to the Chief Program Officer, Chief of Staff, HR leadership, and executive team.

What You’ll Do

• Set the strategic vision for MAP’s technology, digital platforms, and innovation initiatives.
• Oversee MAP’s technology infrastructure, including websites, internal systems, data platforms, and digital tools.
• Ensure cybersecurity, data privacy, and ethical technology practices across all MAP systems.
• Guide innovation initiatives such as educational technology, digital storytelling platforms, and youth-centered tools.
• Partner with program leadership to ensure technology supports trauma-informed, accessible, and inclusive programming.
• Collaborate with HR and Operations to strengthen internal systems for volunteers, onboarding, and compliance.
• Establish technology standards, documentation, and sustainable workflows.
• Support incident response planning, risk mitigation, and long-term system resilience.
• Mentor technology volunteers, developers, engineers, and innovation partners.
• Evaluate technology proposals, tools, and partnerships through a mission-first lens.
• Communicate technology strategy clearly to non-technical stakeholders.
• Check and respond to emails daily, with responses within 48 hours.
• Take responsibility for performance improvement by strengthening systems, security, and alignment over time.

How MAP Supports You

• Clear executive authority and strategic scope
• Collaborative, values-driven leadership culture
• Respect for time, capacity, and boundaries
• Trust-based leadership rather than micromanagement
• Opportunities to shape long-term organizational systems
• Professional references and letters of recommendation

What We’re Looking For

• Senior experience in technology leadership, innovation, engineering, product, or digital strategy.
• Strong understanding of cybersecurity, data privacy, and ethical technology practices.
• Experience guiding technology strategy across multiple platforms or programs.
• Ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical teams.
• Strong systems thinking, judgment, and collaborative leadership skills.
• Commitment to equity, accessibility, youth protection, and mission-driven innovation.

Bonus (Not Required)

• Experience with nonprofit, education, or youth-serving organizations
• Familiarity with NYC-based systems, compliance, or public sector partnerships
• Background in educational technology, digital storytelling, or human-centered design
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities (Spanish or Haitian Creole preferred)

Commitment & Boundaries

• Volunteer role, approximately 8–10 hours per week
• Minimum 6–12 month commitment preferred
• Hybrid: New York City and/or remote via Google Meet
• MAP prioritizes sustainability and care over burnout

Application Process

Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist.

For any additional questions or concerns, please email us directly at hr@mentorapromise.org

Lead with intention — help ensure that technology at Mentor A Promise protects dignity, expands access, and serves youth with care.