Policy Team Lead (Volunteer)

Policy Team Lead (Volunteer)

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division: Policy, Research & Advocacy

Location: Remote and/or New York City

Type: Volunteer (Unpaid)

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability in New York City. Through mentorship, academic enrichment, literacy development, social-emotional learning, creative expression, policy research, and community advocacy, MAP works to ensure that every young person has access to safety, consistency, opportunity, and support.

MAP’s Policy, Research & Advocacy Division leads the organization’s efforts to elevate issues impacting students in shelters, improve public systems, track legislation, and collaborate with city and state partners to advance equity-focused solutions.

About the Role

We are seeking a Policy Team Lead to support MAP’s policy development, research agenda, legislative tracking, coalition engagement, and advocacy strategy. This role works closely with the Director of Policy to build MAP’s external voice, strengthen our policy infrastructure, and ensure that our advocacy work aligns with the lived experiences of youth and families.

This role is ideal for someone with strong research, policy analysis, writing, and organizational leadership skills who is ready to contribute meaningfully to social-impact work in housing, education, and youth justice.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Director of Policy in designing and executing MAP’s annual policy agenda.
• Conduct policy research on issues affecting homeless and housing-insecure youth (education, housing, transportation, health, technology access, etc.).
• Track New York City Council, State Legislature, DOE, DSS, and HPD policies that impact MAP students and families.
• Draft policy briefs, memos, reports, talking points, and legislative summaries.
• Coordinate meetings with policymakers, agencies, community coalitions, and advocacy partners.
• Help maintain MAP’s policy tracking systems, research library, and legislative calendar.
• Assist with building MAP’s Advocacy Framework, including ethical storytelling and 501(c)(3)-compliant engagement.
• Support youth-centered advocacy projects and help ensure young people’s voices inform policy recommendations.
• Collaborate with communications, program staff, and the Storytelling & Media Division to translate research into accessible public materials.
• Represent MAP in coalitions, workgroups, convenings, and public meetings when needed.
• Provide internal updates to ensure MAP leadership remains informed about emerging issues and opportunities.
• Check and respond to emails daily, with responses within 48 hours.
• Take responsibility for performance improvement by incorporating feedback into research and policy deliverables.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Political Science, Education, Sociology, Social Work, Urban Studies, or a related field.
• Strong research, writing, and policy analysis skills.
• Experience engaging with legislative, government, or advocacy environments.
• Ability to synthesize complex information into clear, accessible briefs.
• Strong communication, organization, and collaboration skills.
• Commitment to equity, youth development, and community-centered policy work.

Bonus Skills (not required)

• Experience with NYC housing, DOE structures, or youth homelessness policy.
• Experience in community organizing, advocacy campaigns, or civic engagement.
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities (especially Spanish or Haitian Creole).

Commitment

• Volunteer role, approximately 5–10 hours per week.
• Minimum 6-month commitment preferred.
• Remote with optional in-person meetings, events, or hearings in New York City.

What You’ll Gain

• Experience shaping policy in a mission-driven nonprofit environment.
• Opportunities to contribute to research, advocacy, and citywide change efforts.
• Collaboration with MAP’s executive team, youth leaders, and community partners.
• Professional mentorship, networking, and leadership development.
• Letters of recommendation and professional references.
• The fulfillment of advancing equity, dignity, and justice for youth experiencing homelessness.

Application Process

Please send your resume, LinkedIn profile, and a brief statement of interest to hr@mentorapromise.org with the subject line: Policy Team Lead.

You may also apply directly here:

https://forms.gle/ptgy2zBZXJB1q7GV8

Lead with purpose — help shape policy that uplifts youth, strengthens families, and drives long-term, systemic change across New York City.