Advocacy Manager

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and position will remain open until filled

About the Community Empowerment Fund:

CEF is a non-profit organization operating in Durham and Orange Counties that is working to end the racial wealth gap by supporting people experiencing homelessness or financial insecurity. We work alongside approximately 250 volunteers and 3,000 members in their pursuit of employment, secure housing, and financial stability. We are valued by Members and partners for our ability to meet people where they are and walk alongside each individual to achieve personal goals, as well as our collaborative approach to address systemic racism and oppression which causes gaps in our local communities. We are passionate about sustaining transitions out of homelessness, and combine flexible relationship-based support with innovative matched savings accounts, referral networks, resource databases, and programs to support Members in achieving their long-term dreams. Learn more at www.communityef.org.

Position Overview

The Advocacy Manager position is a cross geography position that is tasked with managing CEF’s advocacy initiatives, in alignment with CEF’s Strategic Plan. The Advocacy Manager will work with the Executive Director and frontline staff to determine overall advocacy goals and will provide guidance to ensure CEF’s mission, guiding principles, and values are represented in targeted campaigns and that campaigns and initiatives center on those with lived experience, especially CEF Members. An ideal candidate will not only be passionate about equitable and affordable housing but have demonstrated experience in inspiring others to get involved and advocate for safe and affordable living conditions. The Advocacy Manager is a key member of the Senior Leadership Team.

Position Responsibilities 

Advocacy:

• Spearhead CEF’s organizational advocacy vision with the Executive Director
• Work with Office & Community Organizers to ensure campaigns have synergy across geographies and to determine relevant trainings and workshops for Members and volunteer Advocates involved in CEF’s advocacy efforts
• Build and manage relationships with outside organizations to strengthen CEF’s advocacy efforts and represent CEF at coalition meetings, conferences, and other events
• Work with local stakeholders, elected officials, and their staff to advance campaigns
• Monitor legislative and regulatory develops that impact CEF’s mission and develop advocacy positions and talking points in response to changes
• Ensure that advocacy initiatives do not lead to lobbying
• Coordinate outreach and communications related to advocacy campaigns – including phone banking CEF
• Members, creating social media posts, and sharing stories and highlights in CEF’s newsletter, annual reporting, and other internal communications
• Manage relationships with local media outlets to ensure coverage of advocacy campaigns and wins
• Share updates and progress with CEF staff monthly at all staff meetings

Supervision:

• Lead the Advocacy Team including managing work plans, offering mentorship and guidance, and working with frontline staff to implement program strategy
  • Office & Community Organizers (OCO) – 2 people
  • Support Office and Community Organizers in supervising and supporting volunteer Advocate and paid intern teams
• Facilitate and lead Advocacy Team meetings
• Facilitate annual performance review process for all direct reports

Office Support:

• Provide a consistent and welcoming in-office presence for Members and Advocates, and responsive support for Pod Leaders during office hours. (The amount of weekly office hours will vary based on seasonal needs by will generally be 2 hours/week.)
• Ensure office policies and safety procedures are followed, and implement capacity-building changes and improvements to office hour-related procedures and practices
• Work one-on-one with Members in the office as necessary, using CEF’s relationship-based support model
• Support the Office and Community Organizers with duties to ensure COVID-19 and safety protocols are followed by staff, volunteer Advocates, and Members
• Learn the staff support procedures for each geography and perform those duties fully

CEF Team Member

• Attend and participate in all regularly scheduled team meetings, caucuses, retreats, supervision, and other activities in Durham and Chapel Hill (remote and in-person)
• Work collaboratively with team members when necessary
• Engage actively in program design and project management efforts to improve CEF’s outcomes, impact, and methodologies
• Embody CEF values and guiding principles, participate meaningfully in meetings, work collaboratively with coworkers, and engage in CEF in ways that are informed by social justice frameworks including, but not limited to relationship-based support, trauma-informed care, harm-reduction, and motivational interviewing
• Follow CEF financial procedures, including timely reporting of expenses, clear communication around debit card needs, and participation in budget creation

Position Qualifications (Required unless indicated as “preferred”) 

• 3-5 years advocacy experience including establishing and managing campaigns
• Experience with housing advocacy is strongly preferred
• Experience organizing in Durham and/or Orange Counties, North Carolina strongly preferred
• 2-3 years of experience with facilitation
• 1-2 years of experience as a supervisor
• Excellent interpersonal & communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in varied professional, socioeconomic, and cultural contexts with people across abilities and neurological differences, and from diverse racial, socioeconomic, educational, cultural, religious, and ethnic backgrounds
• Ability to design and implement systems that build towards efficient, collaborative, and effective cross-sector partnerships with community
• Ability to work independently, satisfy deadlines, and effectively prioritize tasks for both long-term and short-term projects
• Exceptional organizational abilities and attention to detail, with the ability to follow through on many simultaneous projects
• Commitment to CEF’s mission
• Clear analysis of structural racism and socioeconomic inequity, and willingness to continue to learn and grow
• Strong aptitude with Microsoft Office/Google Suite including proficiency with spreadsheets
• Experience with work management and database software (ex. Asana, Slack, Salesforce, and Google products) and willingness to learn new technologies
• Strong group management, team facilitation, and both individual and group supervision skills including an understanding of complex group dynamics, preferred

An ideal candidate will have

• A commitment to shared leadership, embodying CEF’s values and guiding principles
• Affirming, empowering, collaborative, and listening-based leadership style, with a strong sense of self-direction and accountability to the community
• Compelling, authentic, and clear verbal and written communication
• Ability to take initiative and complete duties independently, while knowing when to ask for support
• A proven track record of being deeply rooted in the community served
• Preference for someone living in the Triangle area and well-versed in local issues
• Whole person and healing-centered approach to community building

Salary and Benefits

This is a full-time, salaried position. The Advocacy Manager is expected to work an average of 40 hours per week and will be paid $52,000 annually. The position requires in-person work, including occasional weekend responsibilities, and the person is expected to live locally. This position is also eligible for 100% employer-paid health insurance; 100% employer-paid term life insurance; a 401(k) plan with 4% employer match; optional employee-paid dental and vision; paid vacation, sick, and holiday leave; and a professional development stipend. See an outline of CEF’s benefits here. All CEF staff are expected to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit weekly negative test results.

To Apply

Please submit a cover letter outlining why you are a great fit for this position, resume, and 3 professional references to hiring@communityempowermentfund.org with the subject “Advocacy Manager.” We strongly encourage sharing your experience managing advocacy campaigns in your cover letter. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will remain open until filled.

CEF is an equal opportunity employer, and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, LGBTQI-identified people, and people with lived experience with homelessness or poverty.