Intern, Public Engagement Communications (July- December)

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Intern, Public Engagement Communications (July-December)

🔹 Company: Oxfam America

🔹 Location: Boston, Massachusetts, United States

🔹 Job Type: Intern

🔹 Category: Non-profit Organizations

🔹 Date Posted: May 8, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 0-2 years

🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK (within a 200-mile radius of Boston or Washington DC)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Providing communications support to the Public Engagement division
• Monitoring news mentions, managing journalist requests, and assisting with social media
• Supporting content management and administrative tasks related to community events and digital assets
• Gaining practical skills and understanding of communications, campaigning, lobbying, grassroots organizing, and outreach within an international development agency

ASSUMPTION: This role is ideal for students or recent graduates seeking hands-on experience in communications and related fields. It offers a unique opportunity to work with a diverse and multi-functional team in a global organization.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Monitor and compile news mentions of Oxfam's work, help maintain database of US-based journalists, and support admin work of media team

✅ Manage and respond to incoming requests from journalists

✅ Provide administrative support for community events like Hunger Banquets and other brand building initiatives

✅ Track hashtags, influencer campaigns, conversations, and trends on social media

✅ Assist in social media posting and community management

✅ Review and proof digital and web content

✅ Support task management for the Public Engagement division in Asana, Oxfam's project management software

✅ Coordinate with Content Lead the uploading and sign-off of content from Oxfam America and select country teams into Inuru, ensuring photo, video, and text assets are tagged and have complete metadata, include interviewee consent forms, and meet our ethical standards. Edit photos to remove duplicate or substandard shots

✅ Train Oxfam America staff to use Inuru, Oxfam’s Global Asset Management database, serving as focal point for questions about downloading and uploading assets, and other features.

ASSUMPTION: The role requires a balance of administrative tasks, content management, and communication with both internal teams and external stakeholders. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail are crucial for success in this position.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Pursuing an undergraduate degree or higher in a related field

Experience: One-year experience of relevant work or educational experience in communications or a related field.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency with MS Office suite
• Digital and/or social media experience
• Demonstrated capacity to see jobs to completion; to set priorities among tasks; to engage in problem solving
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining accuracy in data
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize work
• Interest in furthering knowledge about Oxfam and global social justice issues, and high level of personal energy and commitment

Preferred Skills:

• Fluency in languages other than English

ASSUMPTION: While the role is open to candidates with varying levels of experience, a strong commitment to social justice and alignment with Oxfam's core values is essential for success in this position.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $17.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 6-month position (32 hours per week)
• Non-Exempt / Non-Union
• All information kept confidential according to EEO guidelines
• Equal opportunity employer with a zero tolerance policy for sexual harassment, exploitation, and/or abuse
• E-Verify employer

Working Hours: 32 hours per week

ASSUMPTION: The salary and benefits package is competitive for an internship role within the non-profit sector. The position offers a unique opportunity to gain practical experience while contributing to a global cause.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Oxfam America is a non-profit organization focused on fighting inequality to end poverty and injustice. It offers lifesaving support in times of crisis and advocates for economic justice, gender equality, and climate action.

Company Size: Oxfam America has 201-500 employees, providing a mid-sized work environment that offers opportunities for collaboration and growth.

Founded: Oxfam was founded in 1942, with Oxfam America established in 1970. The organization has nearly 80 years of experience in fighting inequality and mobilizing people and resources worldwide to make change happen.

Company Description:

• Oxfam offers lifesaving support in times of crisis and advocates for economic justice, gender equality, and climate action
• Works with more than 4,000 local organizations and allies in over 90 countries
• Has nearly 80 years of experience in fighting inequality and mobilizing people and resources worldwide to make change happen

Company Specialties:

• Humanitarian aid and disaster relief
• Advocacy and campaigning
• Development programs and long-term solutions

Company Website: http://www.oxfamamerica.org

ASSUMPTION: Oxfam America is a well-established organization with a strong global presence and a reputation for making a significant impact in the areas of poverty and injustice.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is an entry-level internship, providing an excellent opportunity for students or recent graduates to gain practical experience in communications and related fields.

Reporting Structure: The intern will report directly to the Public Engagement division and work closely with staff on various teams, including content and design, media relations, digital and supporter engagement, and brand and engagement.

Work Arrangement: This is a remote-friendly position, with the requirement that the intern resides within a 200-mile radius of an Oxfam office located in Boston or Washington DC.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential for the internship to lead to full-time employment, depending on performance and organizational needs
• Opportunity to gain experience working with a diverse and multi-functional team in a global organization
• Chance to develop skills in various aspects of communications, campaigning, lobbying, grassroots organizing, and outreach

ASSUMPTION: While this role is an internship, it offers significant opportunities for growth and development within the organization and the broader non-profit sector.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Oxfam America has offices in Boston and Washington DC, with this role being remote-friendly within a 200-mile radius of these locations.

Office Location(s): 226 Causeway St., Floor #5, Boston, MA 02114, US and 1101 17th St NW, Suite 1300, Washington, D.C. 20036-4710, US

Geographic Context:

• The Boston area offers a vibrant and diverse cultural scene, with numerous educational institutions and opportunities for professional growth
• The Washington DC area is home to numerous non-profit organizations and advocacy groups, providing ample networking opportunities
• The remote-friendly nature of the role allows for flexibility in work location within the specified radius

Work Schedule: 32 hours per week, with flexibility in scheduling to accommodate the intern's academic commitments.

ASSUMPTION: The remote-friendly nature of the role and the flexibility in scheduling make it an attractive opportunity for students or recent graduates seeking to balance work and education.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission through the provided link
• Phone or video screening with the hiring manager
• In-person or virtual interview with the Public Engagement team
• Background check and onboarding for selected candidates

Key Assessment Areas:

• Communication skills and ability to work effectively with diverse teams
• Organizational skills and attention to detail
• Problem-solving abilities and initiative
• Alignment with Oxfam's mission, values, and goals

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences related to the key responsibilities and required qualifications
• Demonstrate your commitment to social justice and global issues in your application materials
• Prepare questions to ask during the interview that showcase your interest in the role and the organization

ATS Keywords: communications, media relations, social media, digital content, project management, organizational skills, attention to detail, problem solving, team collaboration, gender justice, diversity, community engagement, data accuracy, campaigning, outreach, grassroots organizing

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is straightforward and designed to assess the candidate's fit for the position and the organization's mission.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• MS Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.)
• Project management software (Asana)
• Global Asset Management database (Inuru)

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools and technologies is essential for success in this role. The intern will receive training and support to ensure they can effectively use these tools.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Accountability
• Empowerment
• Inclusiveness
• Courage
• Integrity

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-based
• Problem-solving and innovative
• Adaptable and responsive to change
• Committed to Oxfam's mission, values, and goals

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do your personal values align with Oxfam's core values?
• How do you approach working collaboratively with diverse teams?
• How do you stay organized and manage multiple tasks and priorities?

ASSUMPTION: Oxfam America places a strong emphasis on cultural fit and seeks candidates who are aligned with the organization's mission, values, and work style.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• The role may require working with sensitive information and maintaining confidentiality
• The intern may need to manage multiple tasks and priorities, requiring strong organizational skills and time management
• The role may involve working with tight deadlines and responding to breaking news, requiring flexibility and adaptability
• The intern may need to navigate complex organizational structures and work with diverse teams, requiring strong communication and collaboration skills

ASSUMPTION: While this role offers significant opportunities for growth and development, it also presents challenges that require strong skills and a commitment to Oxfam's mission and values.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is unique in its focus on providing communications support to a diverse and multi-functional Public Engagement division within an international development agency
• Similar roles in other organizations may focus on specific aspects of communications, such as media relations or digital content, rather than providing broad support across multiple teams
• This role offers an excellent opportunity for students or recent graduates to gain practical experience in communications and related fields, with the potential for growth and development within the organization

ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other communications and related roles, its unique focus and global context set it apart from other opportunities in the non-profit sector.

📝 Sample Projects

• Managing a social media campaign to raise awareness about an upcoming community event
• Assisting with the production of a newsletter or other digital content highlighting Oxfam's work and impact
• Supporting the media relations team in securing coverage for Oxfam's initiatives and campaigns

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the diverse range of tasks and responsibilities that the intern may undertake, providing a well-rounded experience in communications and related fields.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does this role fit into the broader communications and advocacy efforts of Oxfam America?
• What opportunities are there for growth and development within the Public Engagement division and the organization as a whole?
• How does Oxfam America support the professional development and growth of its interns?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does Oxfam America approach diversity, equity, and inclusion in its hiring and workplace practices?

ASSUMPTION: These questions demonstrate the candidate's interest in the role and the organization, while also providing insight into the expectations and opportunities for growth and development.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the provided link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences related to the key responsibilities and required qualifications
• Prepare questions to ask during the interview that showcase your interest in the role and the organization
• Follow up with the hiring manager within one week of submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.