Director, Advocacy Center

Department: Advocacy Center
Date Posted: 7/1/2009
Closing Date: 8/14/2009

Job Description

Area Function
Working Together for Justice:
Especially for people who strive to love their neighbors as themselves, the Advocacy Center is charged to educate, motivate, organize and empower Episcopalians to action for justice, peace and care for all of God's creation, through networks, resources and partnerships. The Center is part of the Mission Program of the Episcopal Church Center which carries out the mandates and policies of the General Convention and Executive Council. Mission Program assists the whole Church, especially its 110 dioceses, in the call for all creation to be reconciled to Christ.

The following mission areas serve under advocacy: Social & Economic Justice, Environmental Affairs, Domestic Poverty, Jubilee Ministries, ONE Campaign, International Justice & Peacemaking, Migration & Refugee Advocacy, Native American/Indigenous Ministries, Anti-racism & Racial Justice, Gender Equality and Public Policy Network.

Job Summary
The Advocacy Center is particularly focused on carrying out this mission purpose through implementation of the social policies and programs of General Convention and Executive Council. Much of its work is to help the Church make its witness in local communities, nationally and globally. Certain programs focus on the life of local congregations or assisting those local congregations and members in their witness to the world. Concerns of the Center focus on both domestic and foreign issues, including a vigorous witness to the United States government in Washington, D.C.

The position is located in Washington, D.C. and reports to the Chief Operating Officer. Thirteen staff and several consultants report to the Advocacy Center Director on a range of programs and responsibilities. Staff members located in New York, Seattle, and Los Angeles focus on anti-racism and gender equality, Native American ministries, Jubilee programs, domestic poverty, international peacemaking, and economic and environmental justice. Staff members in Washington advocate the public policy positions adopted by the Episcopal Church’s General Convention and Executive Council and assist the public witness of the Presiding Bishop. This advocacy work is directed toward US government policy makers, Episcopal institutions and networks, ecumenical and public interest communities, and the media.

It is important to emphasize that the primary function of the position is managerial, i.e. strategic visioning and planning, implementing change, motivating and facilitating the work of others, monitoring budgets, goal-setting and evaluation, and program management. The Director must be able to navigate comfortably a multitude of Church and secular settings in which varied viewpoints are passionately held and articulated.

The center director is expected to:

Be a visionary thought leader in the field of Christian witness for justice and peace. He or she should be prepared by experience and training to help conceptualize and convey to the Church and beyond that advocacy for peace and justice is integral to the life of Episcopalians.
Oversee the management and administration of the Advocacy Center assuring staff of adequate support to accomplish the work and inspiring a strong team spirit.
Advise the Presiding Bishop and other Church leaders of opportunities to affect the public dialogue on issues of interest to the Church. Maintain relationships across the Church and with counterparts to enable the Church to be a recognized leader in the societal witness for peace and justice.
Serve as a spokesperson for peace and justice and related issues, articulating with energy and commitment the public policy positions of the Church to a variety of audiences, including at high political levels.
Coordinate and supervise work of the New York-based Advocacy Center deputy director who oversees staff members in New York, Los Angeles, and Seattle responsible for domestic justice and poverty alleviation, economic and environmental justice, Native American ministries, and gender equality and anti-racism.
Coordinate and supervise the work of the Program Officer for International Justice and Peacemaking, who works with the Anglican Peace and Justice Network and the deputy to the Presiding Bishop for Anglican Communion Relations on matters of public policy, among other duties.
Coordinate and supervise work on government relations including developing with staff the legislative and communications strategies necessary for effective public policy advocacy, educating and mobilizing Episcopalians, preparing written communications, building coalitions and working with the media. Public policy staff include: International Policy Analyst, Domestic Policy Analyst, Immigration and Refugee Analyst, Public Policy Network Manager, and the Office Manager.
With the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Operating Officer, and in accordance with designated canonical bodies, plan and oversee the budget process for the center. Maintain oversight of financial resources of the center and ensure accountability of center staff to their budgets.
Interface with Executive Council and other governing bodies on behalf of the Center.
Ensure that the staff members of the Advocacy Center are inspired and motivated to accomplish their work effectively, encouraging innovative thinking and the use of new technology and approaches.
Collaboratively work with other center directors and Church Center leaders to maximize the impact of programs across all mission centers.
Stay up-to-date on trends in religious and societal issues that impact the center’s work.

Job Requirements

The successful incumbent should hold minimum of a bachelor’s degree and 10 years of experience in areas related to the Center’s work.
Extensive experience in or with programs of the Church at the local, diocesan or national level as well as in public policy and advocacy, including knowledge of grassroots techniques and promotion.
Maturity of judgment and demonstrated capacity to lead others, inspire and support them in their work, and provide effective management and administration
Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, counterparts, and members of the Church’s governing bodies and varied constituencies.
Ability to communicate effectively informally and formally, including in speeches, public statements, letters, reports, memoranda, and press releases.
Experience in hiring, supervision, and evaluation of employees

Work Environment

The work location of this position is Washington, D.C. Travel is required about 25% of the time.

Salary and Benefits

The salary for this position is $107,725 - $112,405. The Domestic & Foreign Missionary Society provides a generous benefits package.

How to Apply

Please e-mail a cover letter (including salary requirements), your résumé and a list of three references to: centerdirector@episcopalchurch.org.

Please indicate in the subject line that you are applying for the Advocacy Center Director position.

The deadline for applications is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2009.

The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society is an equal opportunity employer and we actively seek qualified candidates from protected groups as defined under Federal and New York State laws as well as General Convention resolutions. We do not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, marital status or military veteran status.