The Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies (FPWA) is an anti-poverty, policy and advocacy nonprofit with a membership network of nearly 200 human service and faith-based organizations. FPWA has been a prominent force in New York City’s social services system for more than 92 years, advocating for fair public policies, collaborating with partner agencies, and growing its community based membership network to meet the needs of New Yorkers. Each year, through its network of member agencies, FPWA reaches close to 1.5 million New Yorkers of all ages, ethnicities, and denominations. FPWA strives to build a city of equal opportunity that reduces poverty, promotes upward mobility, and creates shared prosperity for all New Yorkers.
POSITION SCOPE:
FPWA recently completed our strategic plan and has the vision to be a driving force behind unparalleled upward mobility for New York’s most vulnerable. The Policy Organizer is a critical position to achieving our strategic vision, and we are looking for a new team member who has the broad skills and passion for our comprehensive vision.
The Policy Organizer is responsible for building and managing 1-2 advocacy campaigns, organizing/mobilizing activities connected to PAR’s advocacy campaigns and priority issues, being the primary driver of member and ally engagement on policy advocacy and building political relationships.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Develop and implement 1-2 advocacy campaigns
Identify key policy priorities for advocacy campaigns to build a city of equal opportunity
Create and manage comprehensive advocacy plans for the campaigns
Build new and innovative advocacy campaigns, in close collaboration with staff, stakeholders and allies, that enable us to achieve our strategic goals
Effectively manage the various elements of the advocacy campaigns:
o Identify key decision makers and build political relationships
o Build and maintain an effective coalition
o Engage grassroots and key contacts
o Timely gather data and information, as needed
o Assist with developing effective campaign media strategies
2. Assist with 1-2 advocacy campaigns
Work closely with Policy, Advocacy and Research Team on other advocacy campaigns
Assist with organizing and mobilizing activities on these campaigns
Ensure grassroots and grasstops engagement in advocacy campaigns and other policy
initiatives
3. Be the primary driver of member and ally engagement on policy advocacy
Effectively organize/mobilize member agencies, their constituents, and allies to participate in advocacy campaigns and activities by:
o Conducting effective outreach and organizing work
o Building relationships with staff, constituents, and allies
o Increasing the advocacy capacity and leadership of staff, constituents, and allies
o Developing new and creative engagement/community outreach efforts
o Providing opportunities for advocacy (e.g., meetings with key elected officials, e-advocacy, etc.)
o Coordinating regular meetings to ensure ongoing buy-in, engagement and leadership in campaigns
o Developing advocacy materials and event-related documents (e.g., flyers) that are informative, inspiring, and creative to ensure good attendance and engagement of the target audience
Work with FPWA’s Faith Organizer and Member Outreach Coordinator on capacity building and cross-unit collaboration to increase engagement of members and faith leaders
4. Administration
Ensure timely recording of data connected to Outcome Measurement
Assist with fund development including drafting proposals, writing reports, and supporting fundraising activities as needed
Perform administrative duties as required by the PAR Unit (e.g., setting up for meetings and events, ordering of photocopy jobs, phone calls, etc.)
Serve on internal committees representing FPWA including the Board Public Social Policy Committee, Policy and Program Department meetings, and others as directed
Perform all other related duties as assigned. Work on related FPWA efforts as assigned.
COMPETENCIES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES INCLUDE:
Organizing Training and Experience – Paid, full-time work experience effectively organizing constituents and stakeholders; proven success with coordinating advocacy campaigns; formal training in organizing preferred.
Policy Advocacy – Knowledge of poverty and economic policy issues and the politics of New York City and State preferred.
Action Oriented – enjoyment of working hard and looking for challenges; ability to act and react as necessary, even if limited information is available; a high degree of independence, flexibility, initiative, commitment and ability to work as part of a team.
Communication Ability – excellent writing, analytical, research and speaking skills; experience facilitating meetings and workshops; ability to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders; ability to develop effective partnerships; demonstrated media skills and experience a plus.
Results Orientation – proven track record of exceeding goals and a bottom-line orientation; evidence of the ability to consistently make good decisions through a combination of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment; and problem solving, solution-oriented, project management, and creative resourcefulness.
Operational Management – experience and demonstrated success in setting goals and objectives, managing to outcomes, and developing and using data to inform continuous improvement and decision making.
Solid Educational Background – B.A. or graduate degree in community organizing, public policy or related field. Proficient computer skills (e.g. Word, Publisher, Access, Excel, etc.). Strong commitment to social justice and understanding of the needs of low-income communities in New York.
COMPENSATION:
Commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits.
PLEASE SUBMIT A COVER LETTER AND RESUME TO:
Emma Guzman, Operations and Human Resources Coordinator
Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies
281 Park Avenue South
New York, New York 10010-6102
jobs@fpwa.org
No phone calls or other inquiries please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
