Organization Overview
The Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) envisions a nation where marginalized children flourish, leaders prioritize their well-being and communities wield the power to ensure they thrive. CDF’s Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. We serve and advocate for the largest, most diverse generation in America: the 74 million children and youth under the age of 18 and 30 million young adults under the age of 25, with particular attention to those living in poverty and communities of color. CDF partners with policymakers, aligned organizations and funders in this service. The Children’s Defense Fund is the only national, multi-issue advocacy organization working at the intersection of child well-being and racial justice by wielding the moral authority of programmatic proximity and community organizing to inform public policy. For more information visit www.childrensdefense.org.

Position Summary
Work with CDF’s Leadership Development and Organizing Office (LDO) the Organizing Associate reports to the Organizing Manager, Faith Communities in support of a wide range of activities that are integral to the expansion, implementation, and continuous improvement of CDF’s faith base programming and base building. The Organizing Associate is responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating activities associated with CDF’s faith base programming. The Organizing Associate will work to develop and implement strategies that will support long-term relationship building with faith leaders and communities. The primary responsibility of this position is to support planning, development and implementation of Faith Communities programs, functions, and curriculum for CDF’s Faith Based initiatives. These includes leadership development, targeted organizing, convening and capacity building for child well-being and racial justice. CDF’s Leadership Development and Organizing Team will build bases of support for CDF within targeted constituencies through dedicated programming and cross functional activity. LDO’s programming approach will include: (a) networking and strategic partnerships; (b) curriculum development and training; (c) convening and facilitative leadership; and (d) fellowship and internship opportunities.

Responsibilities
• Build a base of support by engaging current CDF associated groups (SLIs, EBTs, CDF Alumni, BSLN, and DAFS Faculty)
• Build a base of support and leaders by engaging key constituencies – children, youth, young adults, parents, faith leaders, congregation members, seminarians, and people committed to the well-being of children
• Do one to ones to identifying people with leadership potential and proposition them to take on roles in campaign work.
• Support faith-based campaigns and mobilizations by building relationships with allies, other community organizations, and stakeholders
• Support training and development of curriculum for faith base programming to support our stakeholders and support learning about child well-being
• Identify trainers and presenters and clearly outline and communicate the scope of work and other expectations regarding their services
• Support organizing efforts to engage, activate, and mobilize faith leaders and communities
• Oversee project and program budgets, develop contracts for trainers, coaches, and contract staff, and collaborate with the finance team to ensure smooth payment processes.
• Supports work on CDF’s faith base programming, including data tracking in line with project goals and impact; grant reporting; event planning (travel and lodging), and administrative tasks
• Manage timelines, budgets, and deliverables of grant-funded projects

Education And/or Experience
• Bachelor’s degree required • Master of Divinity, Theology or equivalent experience preferred

Preferred Qualifications
• 2+ years’ experience in faith-based organizing and/or community organizing
• Experience in planning and implementing quality training programs
• A track record of child advocacy and child wellbeing
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills
• Experience working with faith leaders and communities

Competencies
• Ability to work independently, work on multiple projects simultaneously and effectively as well as part of a remote team
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and attention to detail Personal Characteristics
• Orientation to and background of servant leadership
• Passion for CDF's mission and purpose and ability to communicate this passion to others
• Ability to serve as an advocate and exemplar for the vision, values, and mission of the Children’s Defense Fund
• Demonstrated strong relational skills

Type of work environment associated with the job
Indoor, office setting, willingness to travel multiple times per month. Must be willing to work flexible hours that will include time outside of the traditional workday including evenings and weekends.

Additional Comments
The Children's Defense Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Note: Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Consideration will be given to qualified candidates on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. All inquiries will remain confidential until establishment of mutual, serious interest and provision of references for review. Questions regarding the role or position description may be submitted Rev. Michael L. Atty, Organizing Manager, Faith Communities, at matty@childrensdefense.org.

To apply for this vital role, please submit your cover letter, resume, and a professional writing sample online at www.childrensdefense.org/jobs.