Assistant, Office of the Secretary General

Location: New York City

Address: Religions for Peace, 777 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017

Job Type: Full-Time

Reports To: Executive Office Manager

About Religions for Peace

World Conference of Religions for Peace Inc. (Religions for Peace) is the largest and most representative global multi-religious coalition advancing common action among religious communities for peace. Headquartered in New York City and accredited to the United Nations, Religions for Peace works through more than 90 regional and national inter-religious councils (IRCs) and groups; global, regional, national and local networks of religious youth and women of faith; and a World Council of senior religious leaders. Through these infrastructures built on the principle of religious representativity, reflecting the fabric of religious demography on those levels, Religions for Peace creates effective multi-religious partnerships to build peace, including working to stop war, end poverty and protect the earth.

Position Overview

Religions for Peace is seeking a highly organized and proactive Assistant to support the Executive Office Manager in the overall management of the Office of the Secretary General. The Assistant will be responsible for a broad set of assignments related to assisting the day-to-day coordination and administration of the Office of the Secretary General. This position requires strong written communication, administrative skills, and multicultural sensitivity. This role requires exceptional communication skills, a high level of confidentiality, and the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently.

Responsibilities include:

· Supporting the Executive Office Manager in providing comprehensive support to the Office of the Secretary General (SG) by managing an active calendar of appointments for the Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General; taking notes, drafting official correspondence, arranging complex travel plans, itineraries, and agendas.

· Contribute to an overall welcoming and organized SG Office including maintaining orderly files and records, greeting and assisting visitors with professionalism, processing receipts with our Finance Department, and obtaining necessary clearances and signatures.

· Assist in implementing and managing a new CRM system to organize contacts and optimize the flow of information within the office.

· Collaborate with the Programmes Department to organize national and international events, conferences, and webinars, handling logistics such as participant coordination, technical issues, and vendor relations, and preparing meeting reports.

· Undertake additional duties as identified by the supervisor.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills

· Bachelor’s degree required

· Experience supporting an Executive Office, preferably in a non-profit organization

· Excellent written communication skills.

· Very strong communication and interpersonal skills with multi-cultural/multi-religious sensitivity.

· Self-motivated and highly resourceful team-player with the ability to also be effective and efficient independently.

· Exceptional organizational and time-management skills; ability to prioritize tasks effectively.

· Detail-oriented with strong problem-solving skills.

· Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.

· Ability to multitask to ensure timely and efficient delivery in a fast-paced environment under tight deadlines within a small team

· Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, Zoom, and quickly learns software and technical skills.

· Familiarity with CRM systems such as NeonCRM a plus.

· English fluency is required. Language skills or fluency in Spanish, French or Arabic is a plus.

Salary: $45,000

Application Process:

To apply, please submit your resume, a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and qualifications: jobs@rfp.org with the subject title “Assistant, Office of the Secretary General – Job Opening”

The deadline to apply is April 13, 2025, 11:59 PM ET

No phone calls please. Only candidates who are invited to interview will be contacted by April 30th, 2025.

Important note:

Applicants should apply to only one internship—Programmes, Communications, or Secretary General’s Office—and are encouraged to research which role best aligns with their interests before submitting an application.

Winter/Spring Internships

• Duration: Flexible, but normally during the months of January, February, March, April.
• Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

Summer Internships 

• Duration: Flexible, but normally during the months of May, June, July, August.
• Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

Fall Internships

• Duration: Flexible, but normally during the months of September, October, November, December.
• Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

Religions for Peace is where the world’s religions join together to ensure that all people enjoy peace, harmony, and prosperity.

We see the world’s challenges and understand the benefit from an interfaith, innovative, and inclusive response. Our 90+ national and 4 regional Interreligious Councils, or “IRCs,” bring together, not only the vast influence and resources of all faith traditions, but also their spiritual commitment to achieve solutions that leave no one behind.

Religions for Peace’s global movement is distinguished by its global leadership, Interreligious Councils, and interfaith women and youth networks which are working at local, national, and regional levels as changemakers. Our leaders respond to challenges – everything from violence and discrimination to environmental degradation – with bold solutions.

Headquartered in New York with United Nations Consultative Status, Religions for Peace has six strategic priorities:

• Promote Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies
• Advance Gender Equality
• Nurture a Sustainable Environment
• Champion Freedom of Thought, Conscience and Religion
• Strengthen Interreligious Education
• Foster Multi-religious Collaboration and Global Partnerships

To learn more about these priorities and our commitments, see our 2020-2025 Strategic Plan.

Position:  Communications Internship 

Supervisor: Ms. Lily Solomon, Program Officer for Knowledge Management 

Duration: Minimum of 3 months; the exact arrangement is to be determined by intern and supervisor. Interns will be expected to work at least 20 hours per week. 

Location: New York City, in person  

RESPONSIBILITIES                                                                                                                       

The intern will assist the Communications Team to: 

• Manage a digital communications calendar and workplan 

• Draft social media posts for Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook 

• Draft content for the website and various reports 

• Research and collect materials for dissemination including success stories, quotes, and data  

• Attend and help run events and webinars  

•  Help track digital communications engagement metrics  

• Work to organize existing materials 

 REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS                                                                                               

• Currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate student, majoring in: International Studies, Political Science, Religious Studies, Public Policy, Non-profit Management, Communications, or a related field 

• Strong writing, editing, and research skills 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, Word, and PowerPoint 

• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to work professionally and sensitively in a multi-cultural environment. 

• Fast learner, tech-savvy, and able to multi-task 

• Interest/background in religious/interreligious work, enthusiasm for learning, and reliability are pluses 

• Fluency in English 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• French, Arabic or Spanish language skills 

• Social media creation for X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook 

• Video editing skills 

• Social media engagement metrics and tracking 

• Canva design skills 

• WordPress or web development 

BENEFITS 

We are pleased to offer our interns a number of benefits: 

• Support in receiving college credit 

• Metro Card throughout the internship (if/when travel to New York office is required) 

*Please note that this is an unpaid internship opportunity. All applicants are required to present their own active insurance enrollment. 

TO APPLY 

Please send a cover letter, resume, list of references, and a writing sample (no more than 1000 words) to Ms. Lily Solomon (lsolomon@rfp.org). Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Applicants should apply to only one internship—Programmes, Communications, or Secretary General’s Office—and are encouraged to research which role best aligns with their interests before submitting an application.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. 

Because we receive a high volume of applications, only candidates who are invited to interview will be contacted. Thank you for your kind understanding. 

Position:  Secretary General’s Office Internship

Supervisor: Ms. Emma Jackson, Executive Office Manager and Peace Program Officer

Duration: Minimum of 3 months; the exact arrangement is to be determined by intern and supervisor. Interns will be expected to work at least 20 hours per week.

Location: New York City, in-person                                                                                                                       

RESPONSIBILITIES                                                                                                                      

The intern will assist the Office of the Secretary General to:

• Assist the Executive Office Manager and Peace Program Officer
• Maintain and update directory and database of interreligious councils, and partners in faith based-organizations, civil society and government.
• Research, synthesize information, and prepare profiles on interreligious councils, and religious leaders.
• Provide technical and logistical support for event and webinar planning, implementation, and reporting.
• Support SG Office in letter writing, scheduling and other communication.
• Provide other relevant assistance to the Secretary General’s Office as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS                                                                                              

• Currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate student, majoring in: International Studies, Political Science, Religious Studies, Public Policy, Non-profit Management, Communications, or a related field
• Strong writing skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Ability to work virtually and hold oneself accountable to deliverables without in-person oversight
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to work professionally and sensitively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Fast learner, tech-savvy, and able to multi-task
• Interest/background in interreligious work, enthusiasm for learning, and reliability are pluses
• Fluency in English required. French, Arabic or Spanish language skills would be an asset

BENEFITS

We are pleased to offer our interns a number of benefits:

• Support in receiving college credit
• Metro Card throughout the internship (if/when travel to New York office is required)

*Please note that this is an unpaid internship opportunity. All applicants are required to present their own active insurance enrollment.

TO APPLY

Please send a cover letter, resume, list of references, and a writing sample (no more than 1000 words) to Ms. Emma Jackson (ejackson@rfp.org). Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applicants should apply to only one internship—Programmes, Communications, or Secretary General’s Office—and are encouraged to research which role best aligns with their interests before submitting an application.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. 

Because we receive a high volume of applications, only candidates who are invited to interview will be contacted. Thank you for your kind understanding.

Job description

Internship: Programmes Intern, Religions for Peace International Secretariat

Supervisor: Ms. Kristine Leonardo, Programme Officer; Global FPCC Coordinator

Duration: 3 months, minimum, to be determined by intern and supervisor. Interns will be expected to work a minimum of 20 hours per week.

Location: New York City and Hybrid (Must be able to come to the New York City office at least thrice a week)

RESPONSIBILITIES

Interns will assist in multiple areas including programs, network coordination and communications. Responsibilities include:

• Assist in the full range of activities required to prepare, submit and manage grant proposals as well as prepare regular reports on specific programme activities.
• Assist in organising for Religions for Peace’s international events, meetings and conferences.
• Assist in the development of grant application materials, primarily through research and information collection.
• Compile data/information and assist in developing appropriate materials for dissemination of programme outputs and outcomes.
• Support Programme Officers and Director of Programmes in the completion of daily tasks, keeping track of priorities and ongoing initiatives with partner organisations and Religions for Peace Interreligious Councils (IRCs).
• Provide other relevant assistance to the International Secretariat as required and assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• College student or graduate student, majoring in: Religious Studies, International Studies, Public Policy, Non-profit Management or a related field
• Fast learners, tech savvy, and ready to multi-task
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Display skills in research, data entry, intercultural communication, and the ability to analyse information with a keen attention to detail
• Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, experience writing professional posts for social media, and experience with grant writing and implementation would be preferable
• Interest or background in multi-religious work, strong interpersonal skills, ability to work efficiently in a multi-cultural environment, enthusiasm for learning, and reliability are pluses
• French, Arabic or Spanish language skills would be an asset

BENEFITS                                                                                                                             

We are pleased to offer our interns a number of benefits:

• Support in receiving college credit (applicants must be currently enrolled in an educational institution)
• Metro Card throughout the internship (if/when travel to New York office is required)

*Please note that this is an unpaid internship opportunity. All applicants are required to present their own active insurance enrollment.

TO APPLY

Please send a cover letter, resume, list of references, and a writing sample (no more than 1000 words) to Mr. Kristine Leonardo (kleonardo@rfp.org). Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applicants should apply to only one internship—Programmes, Communications, or Secretary General’s Office—and are encouraged to research which role best aligns with their interests before submitting an application.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. 

Because we receive a high volume of applications, only candidates who are invited to interview will be contacted. Thank you for your kind understanding.