TITLE: Faith-Based Community Outreach Coordinator DEPARTMENT: Policy and Program Department
REPORTS TO:Director of Faith Based Initiatives (FBI)
STATUS: Exempt

The Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies (FPWA) is anti-poverty, policy and advocacy organization whose mission is to promote the social and economic well-being of greater New York’s most vulnerable by advocating for just public policies and strengthening human service organizations. FPWA has a membership organization of nearly 200 human services and faith-based organizations that operate over 1,200 programs throughout the New York City metro area. Together we serve over 1.5 million low-income New Yorkers of all ages, ethnicities, and denominations each year.

POSITION SCOPE

FPWA completed our strategic plan in 2014 and has the vision to be a driving force behind unparalleled upward mobility for New York’s most vulnerable. FPWA serves as a critical resource for New York City’s faith community. FPWA’s Faith Based Initiatives (FBI) Unit coordinates advocacy opportunities, community mobilization, training and information services, and capacity building. FBI also works with churches and other faith-based service providers to bring a powerful, informed, united, and focused voice of the faith community to major social service and justice issues at the city, state, and federal levels.

The Faith-Based Community Outreach Coordinator is a critical position to achieving our vision and goals, and we are looking for dynamic and strategic new team member who has the broad skills and passion needed to meaningfully engage diverse faith communities in building a city of equal opportunity. This position is responsible for developing partnerships with congregations, faith leaders, and community groups in order to increase the involvement, awareness, and engagement of diverse faith communities and community based organizations in FPWA’s efforts. This position is also responsible for ensuring that FPWA’s policy and advocacy initiatives are being introduced to and integrated into our faith and community relationships. This position will also assist with recruiting new faith-based member agencies.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Outreach and Engagement (60%)

• Work with the Director of Faith Based Initiatives (FBI) Unit to cultivate, manage, and engage relationships and partnerships for FPWA to execute faith-based advocacy campaign.
• Support Faith Based Program Manager on new initiative to strengthen neighborhood-based relationships between social service agencies and faith-based institutions.
• Collaborate with Faith Based Program Coordinator to increase advocacy participation and paid membership among FPWA’s current faith partners in child welfare, emergency food and shelter, women’s leadership, and other initiatives.
• Coordinate faith leader involvement in FPWA’s policy advocacy efforts, special events, and capacity building activities.
• Help recruit diverse faith-based organizations to become paid member agencies of FPWA.
• Represent FPWA in diverse faith communities through public speaking, presentations, and meetings.
• Raise the profile of FPWA’s faith-based advocacy and organizing initiatives among interfaith coalitions, community meetings, and events.
• Oversee monthly faith-based e-newsletter, website updates, and social media posts by coordinating with Communications Department.
• Cultivate and leverage relationships with interfaith, social justice, anti-poverty, and social service coalitions in New York City.
• Work with Administrative Assistant to develop and maintain updated and accurate contact list of faith-based leaders and organizations.

2. Policy and Advocacy (30%)

• Work with FBI Director and with the Policy, Advocacy & Research (PAR) Unit to develop a faith-rooted organizing strategy for FPWA and to train staff on this model.
• Collaborate with PAR to develop and implement a faith-based advocacy campaign, which would include but not be limited to Advocacy Days in Albany and New York City, educating decision-makers, and mobilizing faith leaders and faith institutions.
• Work with Faith Based Program Manager to develop and implement new faith-based advocacy training initiatives.
• Develop and implement programs to build the leadership and advocacy capacity of faith leaders and faith-based member agencies.

3. Administration (10%)

• Assist with fund development including drafting proposals, writing reports, and supporting fundraising activities as needed
• Perform administrative duties as needed by FBI programs and initiatives (e.g., setting up for meetings and events, ordering of photocopy jobs, phone calls, etc.)
• Serve on internal committees representing FPWA including the Board Member & Faith Based Services Committee, Policy and Program Department meetings, and others as directed
• Perform all other related duties as assigned. Work on related FPWA efforts as assigned.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Faith in Action – ordination preferred but not a requirement; experience in working with diverse faith-based organizations and places of worship; ability to articulate value of interfaith work and to engage with interfaith collaborations; demonstrated effectiveness with policy and advocacy.
• 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, and self-motivation.
• Partnership and Relationship Building – experience cultivating, engaging, and managing partnerships with multiple stakeholders to achieve outcomes;strong teamwork skills and track record working collaboratively with colleagues across departments and functions.
• Communication Ability – excellent writing and speaking skills; experience facilitating meetings and workshops; ability to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders; ability to develop effective partnerships; fluency in Spanish a plus.
• Results Orientation – track record of accomplishing goals and a bottom-line orientation; evidence of the ability to consistently make good decisions through a combination of analysis, experience, and judgment; and creative solution-oriented project management.
• 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 – Master’s degree preferred with a minimum of three years of experience working with diverse faith-based organizations and communities; proficient computer skills (e.g. Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc.).
• Commitment to FPWA’s Mission – strong commitment to FPWA’s mission and social justice; deep understanding of the needs of faith-based institutions and low-income communities in New York.

TO APPLY

Send cover letter and resume to jobs@fpwa.org.

No phone calls or other inquiries please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies is committed to employing people who reflect the diversity of our member agencies and the communities and people they serve.

AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.

The Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies (FPWA) is an anti-poverty, policy and advocacy organization whose mission is to promote the social and economic well-being of greater New York’s most vulnerable by advocating for just public policies and strengthening human service organizations. FPWA has a membership network of nearly 200 human service organizations and churches that operate over 1,200 programs throughout the New York City metro area. Together we serve over 1.5 million low-income New Yorkers of all ages, ethnicities and denominations each year.

POSITION SCOPE:

The Senior Policy Analyst is responsible for policy formulation, direction, and implementation of campaigns focused on promoting workforce development policies that improve the social and economic well-being of low income New Yorkers. 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 Analyst is a critical position to achieving this vision, and we are looking for a dynamic and strategic new team member who has the broad skills and passion needed to implement large-scale change.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

Policy Advocacy (90%)

• Assume primary responsibility for the policy formulation, direction and implementation of advocacy campaigns designed to impact low-income New Yorkers, specifically in the area of workforce development. This includes taking a leadership position on two existing campaigns, the first focused on the development and strengthening of worker cooperative businesses and the second focused on increasing supports for day laborers.
• Collaborate with member agencies, allies, coalition groups, and across FPWA departments to promote and advance policy campaigns through the implementation of effective advocacy and engagement strategies.
• Identify new and emerging policy priorities that impact vulnerable and low-income populations, are of interest to our member agencies, and provide opportunities for FPWA leadership.
• Conduct timely analysis and maintain on-going monitoring of relevant proposed and enacted legislation and regulations on the city, state and federal levels.
• Produce high-quality policy documents (e.g., policy statements, articles, testimony, memos of support or opposition, etc.) that are well researched, strategic and well written.
• Develop and maximize strong and effective relationships with key legislators and staff.

Administration (10%)

• Assist with fund development, including drafting proposals, writing reports, and supporting fundraising activities.
• Perform administrative duties as required by the issue areas and 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.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned. Work on related FPWA efforts as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Policy Advocacy – demonstrated advocacy skills and experience; proven success with coordinating advocacy campaigns; knowledge of policy issues in the area of workforce development; firm understanding of city, state and federal legislative processes; proactive in prioritizing and selecting among numerous issues worthy of advocacy and the ability to assess and justify the continuation or discontinuation of certain initiatives and activities.
• Nonprofit Experience – track record in the nonprofit sector; experience with working in, or coordinating, coalitions; demonstrated experience with not-for-profit contracting policies and issues; knowledge of the social welfare fields in New York, including public and voluntary agencies and churches; positive relationships with decision makers, nonprofit leaders and faith-based organizations.
• Project Management – proven leadership skills as evidenced by program and/or project management, ability to facilitate teamwork; ability to think strategically and anticipate future consequences and trends; capacity to incorporate changes into program plan.
• 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; ability to work as part of a team; experience facilitating meetings and workshops; ability to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders; ability to develop effective partnerships; demonstrated media skills and experience preferred.
• 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; ability to balance the delivery of programs against the realities of a budget; 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 – Bachelor’s degree required. Graduate degree in policy, social work, public administration, law, divinity or related field preferred. 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.

TO APPLY:

Send PDF cover letter, resume, and writing sample to jobs@fpwa.org. No phone calls or other inquiries please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies is committed to employing people who reflect the diversity of our member agencies and the communities and people they serve. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.