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Title

Policy Advocate for Domestic Issues, Application Close Date: September 30, 2015 

Ministry Team Washington Based Team  
Reports To Team Leader/Washington Office Director  
FLSA Status Exempt  
Salary Grade 8  
Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time  
Category National and Global Ministries, Cleveland, Ohio  
Starting Salary  
Description

GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

The Policy Advocate for Domestic Issues shall participate in and have primary responsibility for leading the work of the domestic public policy advocacy of Justice and Witness Ministries, including but not limited to the following: a) Washington-based advocacy; b) grassroots advocacy; c) media advocacy; and d) electronic advocacy.  The person in this position will regularly work in cooperation with national staff of the United Church of Christ.  The greatest majority of the work will be carried out with ecumenical and interfaith groups in Washington, various settings of the United Church of Christ, and in secular coalitions.

Because of changing legislative limits and opportunities, shifting public policy priorities in Justice and Witness Ministries and with ecumenical and interfaith coalitions, the person in this position must be flexible in learning and responding to various areas of policy that have been identified.  The focus may vary from a tightly to more broadly driven agenda.  This staff person will also work in advisory roles on issues that are not in the highest priority tier of the work plan.

It is understood that issues of justice and peace, civil and human rights, environmental justice, and other advocacy issues that may have a particular United States-based focus often have international dimensions, therefore close collaborations with advocates focused on such issues is expected.     

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Participate in and sometimes lead issue advocacy activities engaging members of Congress and their staffs;

  • Participate and sometimes lead issue advocacy efforts engaging members of presidential administrations, Supreme Court decisions and other key decision makers and policy processes;

  • Coordinate, advise and strategize with Justice and Witness Ministries colleagues and other United Church of Christ partners, interfaith and ecumenical partners, and secular partners concerning emerging and ongoing public policy issues;

  • Provide ongoing guidance and input for the work of the UCC Justice and Peace Action Network (JPANet) with regard to advocacy strategy on constituency mobilization, working closely with the UCC JPANet editorial board;

  • Participate in, and occasionally lead the activities of ecumenical and interfaith coalitions, various working groups, conferences (including Ecumenical Advocacy Days), press conferences, demonstrations/public witness and related activities;

  • Write for and communicate with members and organized constituencies of the United Church of Christ concerning advocacy on domestic public policy issues.This will include writing actions alerts and news pieces for the UCC Justice and Peace Action Network, press statements/releases, articles/op-eds for UCC communications outlets, managing and writing for several web pages on selected public policy issues, including contributing to web pages managed by other national staff of the United Church of Christ;

  • Work closely with Director/Team Leader of the UCC Washington Office, who will provide guidance and direction concerning the selection of changing advocacy priorities;

  • Share in the general work of collaborating with the numerous settings and constituencies of the United Church of Christ;

  • Know and interpret the General Synod and other policy bases for public policy advocacy within the United Church of Christ;

  • Embody and express Christian faith in interpreting policy directives and in shaping advocacy groups and activities;

  • Occasional preaching, teaching, and group facilitation related to public policy advocacy.

 
Position Requirements

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required to perform successfully in this position.

  • Undergraduate and preferably a graduate degree, in an area relevant to the work of a domestic public policy advocate, or its equivalent.

  • Experience in direct public policy advocacy with lawmakers and their staffs.

  • Demonstrated ability to analyze public policy issues from a faith-based perspective with attention to impacts on multiple constituencies.

  • Excellent multi-faceted communication skills, including a willingness to learn, and preferably experience in, working with relevant electronic software and electronic organizing and communication.

  • Ability to articulate a vital Christian faith as it relates to interpreting issues and developing advocacy activities.

  • An understanding of the polity and structure of the United Church of Christ and an appreciation of the diverse histories and constituencies of the United Church of Christ.

  • Familiarity with the General Synod and other public policy bases of the United Church of Christ will be helpful.

  • Demonstrated experience of serving on a team effectively.

  • Demonstrated ability to initiate and lead on issues where there are few partners and limited support.

  • Sensitivity to working with diverse staff partners and constituencies, and in diverse ecumenical, interfaith, and secular partnerships, when there are important varieties of culture, race, class, gender, language, geographic, and ability differences.

  • Experience in preaching, teaching, and facilitating helpful.

  • Ability to travel as needed.

     

This job description is not intended to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for the position and is subject to review and change at any time in accordance with the needs of the ministry. Since no job description can detail all duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a position, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a position shall also be considered part of the position holder’s responsibility.

It is expected that the person who holds this position will conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the policies of the UCC and in a manner that will reflect positively on the organization. All staff are encouraged to nurture safety within the work performed on behalf of the UCC by being attentive to self-care, education, maintaining appropriate boundaries, and the importance of referring those in need to supportive and helpful resources.

 

The United Church of Christ National Ministries is a Multicultural, Multiracial, Open and Affirming, Accessible to All, Equal Opportunity Employer.

 
Comprehensive Benefits Package Employer paid health, dental, pension, and life insurance  
Application Deadline September 30, 2015  
About the Organization The United Church of Christ



Our faith is 2000 years old. Our thinking is not.



We believe in God's Continuing Testament.

We believe in Extravagant Welcome

We believe the church's mission is to Change Lives



 
EOE Statement The United Church of Christ National Setting celebrates diversity and an inclusive environment for all employees. We are committed to a workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the broad spectrum of our diverse society. We endeavor to recruit employees from backgrounds that vary by race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, genetic information, past, present or future service in the uniformed services, religion, or any other legally protected characteristic under applicable federal, state or local law. We are proud to be a multicultural, multiracial, open and affirming, accessible to all, equal opportunity employer.  

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