Youth Education Associate, TORCH Program

The National Institute for Reproductive Health works to increase access to reproductive health care by changing public policy, galvanizing public support, and normalizing women’s decisions to have abortions and use contraception. Since 2008, the National Institute has partnered with more than 100 organizations in 46 localities and 35 states. The National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund conducts legislative and political advocacy to protect and advance reproductive health, rights, and justice in New York and supports partner advocacy in states and cities nationwide. The Action Fund previously operated as NARAL Pro-Choice New York.
The National Institute’s partnership work is supplemented with independent research, original reports, educational campaigns, and signature initiatives, including our nationally recognized youth leadership and peer education program, TORCH®.  Founded in 1996, TORCH combines peer sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice education and leadership training for New York City high school youth. Peer leaders build their self-esteem, develop leadership skills, and learn to make responsible choices. They then share their knowledge with other teens by facilitating workshops around New York City.
The National Institute for Reproductive Health is looking for a talented and innovative full-time youth education associate. The youth education associate will work closely with the youth initiatives coordinator to develop and implement all educational programming and training of TORCH peer leaders. They will apply creative and critical thinking to improve existing programming, as well as provide community education and training during the school day to young people, teachers and/or youth service providers.
Responsibilities:

  • Co-lead the recruitment of youth to participate in the program.
  • Participate in the designing and planning of the new peer leader training curriculum, including brainstorming topics and/or activities to include in daily agendas during the summer.
  • Prepare for and co-facilitate daily training sessions for new peer leaders during the summer.
  • Co-lead the development and implementation of the weekly Continuing Education component of the program for TORCH peer leaders during the school year.
  • Co-facilitate in-school programming with Per-Diem facilitators, as needed.
  • Help with capacity and competency training for peer leaders to lead year-long community action projects around issues affecting them and their communities.
  • Travel to workshops locations to observe peer leaders in the community.
  • Assist with the completion and collection of NYC DOHMH deliverables as outlined in our contract.
  • Work closely with youth initiatives coordinator to build and nurture relationships with community partners, including outreach for TORCH workshops.
  • Write monthly newsletters providing programmatic highlights, updates and news for staff, community partners and alum.
  • Support alumni network initiatives, including assisting with the coordination of monthly outings.
  • Provide technical assistance to other organizations partnering with the National Institute for Reproductive Health, focusing on youth advocacy.
  • Participate in TORCH weekly team meetings, strategic planning meetings, and any other TORCH-led initiative in the organization.
  • Participate and/or facilitate at national conferences focusing on issues of sexuality education; reproductive health, rights, and justice; youth development; adolescent health; and other related themes.
  • Conduct general administrative work, as needed.

Desired Experience and Skills:

  • Bachelor’s degree in public health, education, social work, or related field and/or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
  • Minimum of 1-2 years of experience developing and facilitating sexual health, rights, and justice and leadership workshops and trainings, ideally to people of color and black youth.
  • Strong commitment to an intersectional, social justice movement, including but not limited to reproductive justice, racial justice, economic justice, feminist/queer liberation.
  • Motivation to organize young people around these issues, as well as others affecting them and their communities.
  • Enthusiasm for TORCH’s mission, with a strong personal commitment to youth development and sex positivity.
  • Committed to openness, transparency, and equity.
  • Comfort traveling around NYC boroughs to observe and occasionally facilitate workshops and/or trainings.

The ideal candidate is compassionate, self-motivated, and detail-oriented, and has the ability to communicate effectively and work as part of a team. Candidates should have excellent organizational skills, manage time effectively, and have the ability to multi-task.
Compensation:
Salary will be commensurate with background and experience. The National Institute for Reproductive Health offers an excellent benefit package.
Application Procedure:
Email a thoughtful cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to [email protected] with “Youth Education Associate” in the subject line.
Alternatively, you may mail your application package to Director of Human Resources, National Institute for Reproductive Health, 470 Park Avenue South , 7th Floor, New York, NY 10016. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
The National Institute for Reproductive Health is an equal opportunity employer and encourages women, people of color, person with disabilities, and LGBTQ individuals to apply.