Job Title: Development Assistant

Department: Development

Office Location: New York

Reports to Title: Director of Development

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Union Represented: Yes

How to Apply:

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references.

Application Deadline : May 3, 2024

Organization Overview:

Founded in 1981, the Committee to Protect Journalists (“CPJ”) is an independent, non-profit organization defending journalists worldwide without regard to their political ideology. Through its work to safeguard journalists, CPJ protects the rights of all people to have access to diverse and independent sources of information. For nearly four decades, CPJ has helped win the early release of imprisoned journalists, secure convictions in journalist murders, and enable positive legal reform in countries where the climate for free expression has deteriorated. Learn more about CPJ’s fight to defend freedom of the press here: http://cpj.org/

Job Summary:

The Development Assistant is responsible for processing all gifts, coordinating events, and responding to donor inquiries. This includes general upkeep of CPJ's donor database, tracking and reconciling gifts for CPJ's annual gala, the International Press Freedom Awards Dinner, and responding to donors' general queries and requests. This position reports to and works closely with CPJ’s Development Officer to ensure seamless gift processing and to support the Development department as a whole. 

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit represented by the Writers Guild of America, East.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Process gifts (credit cards, checks, wires, PayPal, etc.) in Raiser’s Edge, and help maintain CPJ’s donor database by cleaning records and correcting outdated information.
• Process and reconcile table and ticket purchases related to CPJ’s annual dinner.
• Process mail and generate acknowledgment letters to donors each week.
• Liaise weekly with the Finance department and provide them with as-needed assistance during their annual audit.
• Help coordinate events for CPJ, including logistics, invitations, and RSVPs.
• Coordinate logistics with vendors for direct mail.
• Respond promptly to donors via phone or email. 
• Support other members of the Development team.
• Provide administrative and research support for the department.
• Uphold strict confidentiality and exercise discretion.
• Contribute to CPJ's Annual Report by conducting research/staff interviews and writing assigned segments.
• Arrange travel (airfare, accommodation, Amtrak, airport transfer) for IPFA awardees, their guests, and presenters.
• Basic, occasional graphic design tasks and writing for CPJ’s gallery and/or social media platforms.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Education/Qualifications & Work Experience: 

Required:

• A bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.

• 2 years of related experience.
• Strong organizational, communication, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Impeccable multi-tasking ability and exceptional interpersonal skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel, and Google required.
• Ability to work in a quickly changing, deadline-oriented environment.
• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to consistently deliver high-quality, accurate work.

Preferred:

• Experience with Raiser’s Edge preferred. 
• International outlook and experience are a plus.

Vaccination Requirement:

Employees who work in our office must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they qualify for reasonable accommodation for medical or religious reasons. Accordingly, new employees must submit proof of vaccination prior to the commencement of employment, unless a reasonable accommodation is granted.

Physical Requirements: 

The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this classification and are reflective of work in a typical office setting. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of the job, absent undue hardship. 

• Remain in a stationary position for prolonged periods.
• Occasionally move about in the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. (applicable to employees who work in the NYC office).
• Operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as copy machine, and printer.
• Communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Observe details at close range.
• Carry objects weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Work in an office setting where the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate (applicable to employees who work in the NYC office).
• Pickup mail twice a week at the local post office, which is a 5-minute walk from the CPJ office. 

Benefits:

• Health Care Plans (100% employer-sponsored medical, dental, and vision plans for employee coverage)
• Health Reimbursement Account (employer-funded HRA of $5,000 annually) 
• 401(k) Retirement Plan (employer contribution of 4%. Additional employer dollar-for-dollar match of elective employee contribution up to 3%)
• Life Insurance and AD&D Plans (100% employer-sponsored with the option to elect additional voluntary plans)
• Paid Time Off (vacation, sick, and 13 paid holidays)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability (employer-sponsored with the option to elect additional voluntary plans)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Pre-Tax Flexible Spending Accounts (medical, dependent care, and commuter expenses)
• Voluntary benefits plans (accident, hospitalization, critical Illness, pet, and legal insurance)
• Flexible Work Schedules

Location:

We promote a flexible working environment that allows for work-life balance, with opportunities for hybrid and flexible work schedules. Our newly opened NYC office, located in Midtown Manhattan, was designed to be a place where we can work effectively and collaboratively, bringing energy, inspiration, commitment, and deep learning to our mission. The CPJ offices are currently working on a hybrid schedule of two days in-office (Wednesday and one other day of the employee’s choosing), with the option of working three days remotely. In addition to this schedule, it may be necessary for employees to come into the office as needed.

CPJ provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors. to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.