PEN America, a nonprofit organization working at the intersection of literature and human rights, seeks a dynamic, committed, and highly organized protection programs assistant to support our growing Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) team. This is a full-time position based in Washington DC or in New York and reports to the senior manager, protection programs.
At PEN America, ARC safeguards the right to artistic freedom of expression around the world and works to ensure that artists of all disciplines everywhere can live and work without fear. With a global network of 800 organizations providing crucial resources for artists and cultural practitioners at risk, ARC plays the critical role of liaising between threatened artists and the organizations that support them. Since its inception, ARC has assisted more than 500 artists from over 63 countries in receiving direct support, including fellowships and residencies, emergency funding, legal assistance, and advocacy, among other forms of assistance, from partner organizations.
The protection programs assistant will provide direct support to the senior manager, protection programs on a wide range of protection, especially in assisting ARC’s new grantmaking initiatives dedicated to visual artists in Russia and Belarus. The position affords the opportunity to work directly with artists at risk and the organizations that support them, with opportunities for growth as the project evolves. The capacity to advance multiple work streams simultaneously, track deliverables, and carry out a wide variety of tasks is required. The assistant must be fluent in Russian.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
All PEN America staff are considered to be stakeholders in the development of our shared organization. As such, staff play a role in varied activities within the workplace as part of their job responsibilities. These may include committees or task forces to work on office issues, diversity and inclusion, strategy projects, training or other initiatives.
Salary and Benefits: PEN America offers competitive compensation and full benefits. The salary range for this position is $45-55k, commensurate with experience. Candidates whose expectations are outside this range are welcome to apply, as PEN America is open to considering talented individuals at varying stages of their careers. PEN America’s benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision health insurance, paid time off, 10 paid holidays, pre-tax commuter benefits and a 403b retirement plan.
ABOUT PEN AMERICA:
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and unedited writing sample. Please submit the entire application to [email protected]. Please use “ARC Protection Program Assistant” and your name as the subject of your email (for example, “ARC Protection Program Assistant – Jane Doe”). Only complete applications will be reviewed, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
PEN America is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices, and in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seeks a diverse applicant pool.
No phone calls, please.