2/9/2012
Field Organizer and Capacity-Building Strategist at NCLR
BACKGROUND
The National Council of La Raza (NCLR)—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. Through its network of nearly 300 affiliated community-based organizations (CBOs), NCLR reaches millions of Hispanics each year in 41 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. To achieve its mission, NCLR conducts applied research, policy analysis, and advocacy, providing a Latino perspective in five key areas: assets/investments, civil rights/immigration, education, employment and economic status, and health. In addition, it provides capacity-building assistance to its Affiliates who work at the state and local level to advance opportunities for individuals and families.
Founded in 1968, NCLR is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan, tax-exempt organization headquartered in Washington, DC. NCLR serves all Hispanic subgroups in all regions of the country and has regional offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, and San Antonio, as well as state operations in Colorado, Florida, Nevada, and New Jersey. For more information, please visit www.nclr.org.
JOB DESCRIPTION
NCLR is seeking an Organizer and Capacity-Building Strategist to work with Hispanic service providers in Texas to increase Latino civic engagement. The Organizer will work to increase the capacity of Texas Affiliates to influence policy outcomes through community organizing, voter registration and GOTV campaigns, and issue advocacy work. The position will be based in NCLR’s San Antonio office, with significant travel required for work with community-based organizations across the state.
The Organizer and Capacity-Building Strategist will report to the Associate Director of Capacity-Building.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Organizing and Capacity-Building
- Work with the Director of Capacity Building to develop and implement strategies to advance ground-up organizing and advocacy among NCLR Affiliates and other partners in Texas.
- Organize and support Affiliate-led committees focused on specific policy areas impacting the Latino community, and support their efforts to develop and advance a Latino policy agenda through local and statewide issues campaigns.
- Work with the field campaign team to design and execute a civic engagement plan for Texas.
- Support NCLR Affiliates in organizing local actions, in-district visits, policy briefings, and other advocacy activities and campaigns, including an NCLR statewide lobby day in Texas.
- Conduct training and technical assistance for Affiliates to build their capacity in the areas of legislative advocacy, campaign strategy, base-building, and media and communications.
- Recruit, train, and lead a team of temporary Organizers, Captains, and Canvassers as well as other paid and volunteer field team members to implement state electoral campaigns.
Relationship-Building
- Carry out one-on-one community outreach with Affiliates and community partners to build strong relationships and commitment to NCLR’s civic engagement initiatives.
- Work closely with allies and stakeholders in the fields of community-organizing and civic engagement, and cultivate relationships with existing Texas coalitions and advocacy organizations working toward similar public policy objectives.
- Facilitate network communications through regular email updates, conference calls, conferences and trainings, and other methods.
- Represent NCLR in an appropriate and professional manner, communicating effectively in various internal and external settings.
Administration
- Develop plans and carry out evaluations.
- Prepare written internal and external reports.
- Assist in preparing proposals for and meeting with existing and prospective funding sources.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree and five or more years of community-organizing and advocacy experience required
- Track record of organizing successful issue campaigns and coalition-building required
- Strong ability to create programs, set priorities, supervise staff and volunteers, manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and work with minimal supervision
- Experience with electoral and/or issue campaigns highly desirable
- Excellent writing and speaking abilities
- Substantive knowledge of the legislative processes
- Flexibility with regard to schedule, working hours, travel, and work assignments
- Bilingual ability (English-Spanish) and experience working on Latino issues preferred
Please note: Only those applicants who submit a cover letter and writing sample along with a résumé will be considered for this opportunity.
NO CALLS—PLEASE MAIL OR EMAIL
COVER LETTER, RÉSUMÉ, AND WRITING SAMPLE TO:
National Council of La Raza
Attn: Darcy Eischens
Raul Yzaguirre Building
1126 16th Street, NW, Sixth Floor
Washington, DC 20036
oral-admin@nclr.org
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, marital status, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, personal appearance, family responsibilities, political affiliation, or enrollment in a college, university, technical school, or adult education.
