Job Description
The Project
The Resilient States Project is a collaboration between CG-USA and Over Zero that convenes and empowers broad-based networks of diverse leaders to build resilience and mitigate risks for division and political violence in key states (currently: Arizona, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas). Our networks unite diverse leaders across various sectors, ideologies, and geographies. These networks collaborate to mitigate divisions and risks of conflict within their states and unify their communities.
From 2022 to 2025, the first phase of this project’s four pilot states demonstrated the promise and potential of the Resilient State model in mobilizing and coordinating new and diverse leaders with the aim of reducing risks and harms in their states. This next phase of the project will expand to new states and contexts, further incorporating lessons learned across the project.
Geographic Locations
The consultant must be based in Minnesota. This role may require significant travel within Minnesota for meetings, training, and other convenings, and occasional travel to other states. This may include multiple trips within a month, and weekend travel is possible. Day trips should be included in the consultant’s proposed costs. Pre-approved overnight travel (within Minnesota and to other states) may be expensed to Common Ground USA.
Goals and Objectives: The consultancy should consider the following goals and objectives:
- Provide networking and relationship-building with civil society organizations, networks, and leaders who have some measure of interest, capacity, or influence to prevent political violence in Minnesota;
- Develop a strong working relationship with civil society organizations and leaders who are capable of expanding and building upon work to prevent political violence in Minnesota;
- Drawing from the Resilient States Project model, deliver technical knowledge and complementary subject-matter expertise on key project topics; and
- Distilling lessons from programming in Minnesota for learning and collaboration through exchanges with other in-state leaders, including new states, and peer organizations.
In collaboration with the project team, the consultant will:
- Assess the scope of programming and build out the RSP model in Minnesota to seed local leadership.
- Develop and/or adapt RSP tools for implementation in the state.
- Provide coaching to leaders in 1-5 additional states on the RSP model and lessons.
- Lead rapid response support to Minnesota and other coaching states, as necessary.
- Exchange in learning and collaboration with other RSP states and national peer organizations;
- Provide support to outreach efforts both in-state and nationally, including related to fundraising.
- Complete the reports listed below;
- Attend regular project meetings (anticipated 2-hour project kick off, plus 1-2 hours per week).
Required Qualifications:
- More than 10 years of experience in a combination of the following areas is required:
- Deep working knowledge and relationships with community leaders and civil society organizations within Minnesota.
- Deep understanding of political violence, conflict resolution, and related socio-political issues in the United States.
- Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups and individuals, including across political differences.
- Experience working or doing research on peacebuilding, political violence, elections, democracy, communications, or polarization in the United States.
- Strong project management skills, with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
- The candidate must be based in the state of Minnesota.
Desirable qualifications
- Demonstrable expertise in the field of peacebuilding, violence prevention, or democracy/governance.
- Pre-existing relationships with local networks of NGOs working on community building or political violence mitigation; and
- Background in political science, community organizing, community work, or related fields.
Application Deadline is July 31, 2025
