Communications Fellow

Southern Coalition for Social Justice (SCSJ) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was founded in August 2007 and works across the South. Our mission is to promote justice by partnering with communities of color and economically disadvantaged communities to defend and advance their political, social, and economic rights. SCSJ’s focus areas are community-driven, and currently include voting rights, justice system reform, youth justice, and environmental justice. Our model of practice requires team members who work well with grassroots organizations and in collaboration with other civil rights groups, and who have deep passion for and commitment to fighting for inclusive political participation.

For more information about our work and our unique community lawyering approach, visit our website at www.scsj.org.

SOLVE Overview:

The Southern Leadership for Voter Engagement (SOLVE) Network is a multi-state network organized to collaborate and share best practices in multidisciplinary advocacy, grassroots mobilization, and legislative and legal strategies to ensure fair and equitable voting practices. SOLVE was formed in 2013 by SCSJ and regional allies as a means of building Southern strategies to combat voter suppression in the wake of the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Shelby County v. Holder, which gutted a key provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. With more than 200 partner groups across 10 states, SOLVE partners are reclaiming and redefining the “Southern Strategy” because if we can win in the South, we can win anywhere. We intend to do this by collectively addressing policies which have weakened the voting strength of Southern communities of color and placed hurdles in the path of people’s right to vote.

SCSJ is a founding SOLVE partner and facilitates network engagement. The SOLVE Fellow position will be supervised by the SOLVE Network Coordinator and advised by SOLVE’s Senior Communications Strategist.

Position Summary:

The SOLVE Communications Fellow is a one-year position, with the potential to be extended for longer. The Fellow will support the SOLVE Network’s growing communications efforts and assist with educational outreach, advocacy support, and general assistance with SOLVE matters, including the 2024 SOLVE Convening. The ideal candidate is comfortable in collaborative work environments and thrives while working closely with grassroots partners to develop communication and digital organizing strategies for voter engagement and voter protection campaigns. Day-to-day work may include media relations, content production (print, social media, and video campaigns), and developing narratives to tell the stories of the advocates and voters of color in the South who are banding together to protect the vote. The Fellow will also create education and advocacy materials for SOLVE partners and aid in the planning of a spring 2024 convening of SOLVE partners.

Responsibilities Include:

Assist with communications campaigns designed to amplify and support SOLVE partners, programs, projects, and/or cases.
Provide communications support to SOLVE partners, including copywriting and editing, legacy media relations, creation of graphics, and social media creation and amplification.
Provide routine updates to the SOLVE website.
Assist with the creation of and updates to SOLVE-related resources, including print materials, and other campaign, programmatic, or educational pieces.
Assist with the planning and execution of the 2024 SOLVE Convening.
Other projects as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications and Skills Include:

Prior experience in journalism, public relations, digital campaigning, digital organizing, or related communications or advocacy fields.
Demonstrated commitment to social justice principles and SCSJ’s community-lawyering model of practice.
Excellent writing and editing skills.
Self-motivated and ability to meet deadlines without issue.
Works well in team settings and can communicate well with external partners as well as SCSJ’s team of lawyers, researchers, and communication professionals.
Able to manage multiple projects or tasks simultaneously.
Experience with WordPress, Canva, and social media platforms (including but not limited to Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly known as Twitter).
Bonus skills: Familiarity with AP Style, video editing background, and Spanish-language skills.

Salary and Benefits:

The SOLVE Communications Fellow starting salary range is $55,000-65,000 per year, commensurate with experience and includes comprehensive health and retirement plans.

Location: 

This position will be remote, but the Fellow will have the ability to work from SCSJ’s office in Durham, NC, should they want to. There is a preference for candidates who live in the geographic South.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement: 

SCSJ is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, personal appearance, marital or family status, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, natural hair styles, or other status as protected by State and Federal laws. It is our intention to promote the full realization of equality in opportunity and employment.

A Note to Historically Marginalized Job Candidates: 

Research has shown women, nonbinary individuals, people of color and other historically marginalized individuals often refrain from applying for positions unless they believe they fulfill each and every requirement outlined in a job description. However, it's crucial to recognize that meeting every criterion is seldom a reality for any applicant. Our commitment lies in cultivating a diverse and inclusive environment and prioritizing finding the most suitable candidate for the role — who we know may emerge from a less conventional background. We wholeheartedly urge you to submit your application, even if you feel you don't perfectly align with every specification outlined.

To Apply:

Candidates must upload a resume, cover letter and one writing sample (no more than five pages) through the application form here. Please label submissions with your first and last name.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates who can start ASAP are encouraged to apply.