National Organizer

Job Description

DEPARTMENT: Organizing and Grassroots Capacity Building

REPORTS TO: Deputy Director

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To build, organize and strengthen a national grassroots network to help Bread for the World accomplish its legislative goals toward ending hunger and poverty in the United States and internationally. Support Bread’s election work by resourcing Bread’s existing, unassigned activist base during the 2016 elections. Beginning in Winter 2016, this new, full-time position will help implement Bread’s nonpartisan, 501(c)3 Vote to End Hunger campaign in multiple, specific locations. The position is time-limited and is expected to continue through March 31, 2017. However, it may end earlier or continue later depending on effectiveness and funding. The position will be based in Washington, DC.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES/ACTIVITIES:

1. Educate and train Bread’s network of members, activists, churches, Bread teams, campus groups, volunteers, and other organizational groups on issues related to ending hunger and poverty-related issues in the 2016 elections.
2. Identify and cultivate a group of Bread activists to resource on a relatively long-term basis and develop strategy, goals, outcomes, and an evaluation method, which includes metrics, to help them achieve their goals.
3. Resource and support specific networks of members, activists, churches, Bread teams, campus groups, volunteers, and other organizational groups as they take 501(c)(3) or (c)(4) actions to increase the likelihood of candidates being elected who will vote to end hunger once in office.
4. Meet jointly established metrics and outcomes.
5. Track data in our organizational data base system, maintain accurate and contemporaneous records, and participate in the analysis of actions and trends related to election work.
6. Build relationships and create a new network of Bread leaders and members from among clergy, lay leaders and community leaders from diverse backgrounds.
7. Train leaders in basic organizing skills and engage them in setting realistic, yet challenging, goals.
8. Engage leaders in the research of how federal policy on hunger and poverty impacts local issues.
9. Work with leaders to organize actions and to mobilize around Bread’s federal legislative platform.
10. Perform other duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES/ ACTIVITIES:

1. Implements mobilization efforts including resourcing existing activists and Bread teams and churches and delivering results for legislative campaigns for Bread and the Institute.
2. Engages, educates and motivates a diverse network on hunger-related issues and advocacy.
3. Builds grassroots capacity, identifying new leaders, building grassroots infrastructure and ensuring that diversity (racial, ethnic, generational, and denominational) is an active part of activist recruitment.
4. Recruits participants for Bread for the World-sponsored events.
5. Works with the director and deputy director in setting grassroots strategies. Works cross-departmentally to implement engagement with local activists.
6. Communicates regularly with Bread for the World activists and members.
7. Stays abreast of legislative and organizational developments, building and maintaining knowledge of key Congressional targets as well as congressmen in assigned regions.
8. Use organization’s resources in a manner that demonstrates responsibility and good stewardship, including submitting corporate credit card receipts on time, completing timesheets on time, submitting personnel documents on time, and making choices regarding travel arrangements, meals and lodging that are consistent with Bread’s values.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

None

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
• Minimum of five years’ organizing experience; professional training preferred

• Understanding of public policy advocacy, legislative process, international and domestic hunger, and congregational/denominational governance
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse groups, including ability to reach across racial, ethnic, generational, socioeconomic and denominational lines
• Demonstrated ability to write well and speak articulately in English; fluency in Spanish is preferred
• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office, use of the Internet for research and experience with data collection and understanding of the importance of databases
• Must be able to conduct trainings via webinars and conference calls

WORK ENVIRONMENT ISSUES:

• Overnight travel up to 5 weeks a year, including 3
• Valid Driver’s License and driving history that is consistent with the ability to be insured at an affordable, “safe driver” rate (Determined at Bread’s discretion)
• Self-motivated and ability to work independently.
• People of color and women are strongly encouraged to apply.

DISCLAIMER:

The information in this job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, or to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit a cover letter and resume to Careers.National@bread.org or fax these materials to the attention of LaVida Davis at 202-688-1115. Please use “Apply-National-Hub” in the subject line when applying. Preference will be given to applications received by February 15, 2016. Visit our website http://www.bread.org/careers/ for a full listing of open positions. Bread is an EOE.

About the Organization

Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad. By changing policies, programs and conditions that allow hunger and poverty to persist, we provide help and opportunity far beyond the communities in which we live. Its affiliate, Bread for the World Institute, provides policy analysis on hunger and strategies to end it.