Instructional Designer (Volunteer)

Instructional Designer (Volunteer)

PromisePeople | Organizational Learning, Training & Knowledge Systems

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Location: Hybrid / Remote

Type: Volunteer

Reports To: Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Works Closely With: PromisePeople, PromiseOperations, PromiseLearning, PromiseShield, Leadership Team

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth experiencing housing instability through mentorship, education, and community. As the organization grows, the ability to clearly communicate knowledge, systems, and expectations internally becomes essential to consistency, quality, and scale.

About PromisePeople | Training & Organizational Development

PromisePeople is responsible for building strong internal systems that support people, learning, and organizational effectiveness. The division ensures that knowledge is structured, accessible, and aligned across all teams—so that everyone operates with clarity and purpose.

Role Overview

We are seeking an Instructional Designer to support the development and ongoing refinement of MAP’s organizational learning materials.

This role plays a key part in ensuring that internal resources are clear, accessible, and consistently aligned with organizational needs . Reporting to the COO, the role also includes involvement in a range of special projects that support broader organizational priorities .

The ideal candidate is skilled at transforming complex information into simple, engaging, and practical learning content , with a strong focus on usability and clarity.

Key Responsibilities

Learning Content Development

• Develop new organizational learning materials that are clear, engaging, and easy to use
• Design structured resources that support onboarding, training, and internal alignment
• Ensure materials are practical and applicable across teams

Content Review & Refinement

• Review, edit, and update existing materials for accuracy and consistency
• Improve clarity, structure, and usability of internal documentation
• Maintain alignment with organizational standards and tone

Organizational Alignment & Reporting

• Report to the COO on priorities, progress, and content needs
• Align learning materials with evolving organizational priorities
• Support leadership in identifying gaps in internal knowledge systems

Information Design & Accessibility

• Structure information to improve usability and accessibility
• Simplify complex processes into clear, step-by-step guidance
• Ensure materials are easy to understand and implement

Cross-Functional Support & Special Projects

• Contribute to special projects across the organization as needed
• Collaborate with multiple divisions to support knowledge sharing
• Support development of systems that improve internal communication

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve how information is communicated internally
• Recommend enhancements to training, onboarding, and documentation systems
• Support evolution of MAP’s internal knowledge infrastructure

Communication & Responsiveness

• Maintain clear, timely communication via Google Workspace
• Collaborate effectively across teams and leadership

Qualifications

Required

• Experience in instructional design, content development, learning design, or similar role
• Strong ability to simplify complex information into clear, structured content
• Excellent written communication and attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to shifting needs
• Strong collaboration and cross-team communication skills
• Alignment with MAP’s mission and dignity-centered values

Preferred

• Experience in nonprofit, education, or mission-driven environments
• Familiarity with learning frameworks or knowledge management systems
• Experience creating digital learning materials or internal resources
• Basic design or content structuring skills (Canva, PowerPoint, or similar tools)

Commitment

• Volunteer role
• Approximately 5–10 hours per week
• Minimum 6-month commitment required
• Hybrid / remote

What You’ll Gain

• Opportunity to shape how organizational knowledge is shared and used
• Exposure to strategic and operational initiatives across MAP
• Experience working in a mission-driven, impact-focused organization
• Professional references and letters of recommendation
• A meaningful role contributing to clarity, structure, and effectiveness

How to Apply

Interested candidates must apply directly through Idealist and submit:

• Resume (required)
• Cover letter (required) describing experience in instructional design or content development

This role turns complexity into clarity.

Helping an entire organization understand, align, and move forward together.

This role holds the pieces together.

From research to outreach to execution—help ensure every story is fully built before it’s told.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.