Gender Justice Program Manager

Western States Center is looking for an experienced and innovative community organizer and trainer to implement ground-breaking social justice projects at the intersections of racial, gender and economic justice. The successful candidate will join our vibrant team and be responsible for managing our programs that bring transformative change at individual, institutional and systemic levels. This inspiring individual will work across our training and leadership development programs with responsibility and rigor with special attention to our evaluative and program planning work.

 

Organizational Background:

 

Western States Center is a dynamic training and organizing institute based in Portland, Oregon and works across the western region as well as with national partnerships. We envision our movements achieving a just society where we all flourish in sustainable, caring and connected communities. Our mission is to connect and build the power of community organizations to challenge and transform individuals, organizations and systems to achieve racial, gender and economic justice. We work with hundreds of activists, community organizations, constituency groups and progressive elected officials, particularly those who identify as people and women of color, immigrants & refugees, LGBTQ people, low-income, rural, and other intersecting identities of race, gender and class. We help build powerful social justice organizers, organizations and movements by addressing the wedge issues that divide us and building shared values and vision for action.

 

Primary Responsibilities:

 

Program

•     Uniting Communities & We are BRAVE: Develop theory and strategies of change in moving organizations based in communities of color and immigrant and refugee communities to introduce, integrate and institutionalize racial justice, LGBTQ equality and reproductive justice into their programmatic work

•     Work with Director of Programs to create Gender Justice objectives in the planning, implementation and evaluation of Center programs, including our annual Activists Mobilizing for Power (AMP) conference

•     Develop project goals and organize activities in service of movement-building, leadership development and campaign-building for racial and gender justice

•     Responsible for assuring the documentation of programs and curriculum

•     Work as a team member to implement and strengthen all of our programs

 

Training and Technical Assistance

•     Technical Assistance & Organizational Development: Provide organizational support, on-site training and assistance on a broad range of skills - board development, fundraising training, staff development, campaign development, and planning support to groups involved in Center programs

•     Curriculum Development: Design, implement curricula and evaluate trainings that are needed to deepen organizers’ and organizations’ integration and institutionalization of intersectional organizing. Identify and develop tools needed by organizers and organizations on issue analysis, community organizing,  policy advocacy, and campaign development

•     Lead Trainings: Serve as one of the core trainers for the Western State Center’s leadership

development and organizer training programs

 

Issue & Policy Advocacy

•     Develop strategies and programming that build organizational and public support for policy remedies which increase equity and access to health, safety and family security of marginalized communities

•     Support partner organizations to strengthen their leadership and increase their capacity for advocacy at the local, state and federal levels

•     Engage in and support issue analysis and policy research that strengthen our policy advocacy and cultural & communications work

 

Communications and Development

•     Create and maintain well written materials that support the Center’s training programs

•     Support the fund development work of the Center by assisting with grassroots fundraising,

major donor relationships, foundation fundraising and other contributors as needed

•     Write for the website and other communication forums to promote the work of the Center and our partners

 

Desired Experience/Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have most of the following job qualifications:

 

Organizing and Training Experience

•     Three to five years working in and building grassroots organizations dedicated to social and

economic justice

•     Demonstrated cultural proficiency and experience working with communities and organizations of color and in multi-cultural settings, which may include Native American, Black, Immigrant and Refugee communities, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender community organizations

•     Demonstrated ability in, and enjoyment of, organizing events, workshops, training sessions and conferences

•     Experience developing and delivering issue, organizing, and organizational development training curricula

•     Familiarity with the structures and leadership of range of non-profit organizations

•     Knowledge of a range of organizing styles and approaches

 

Other Experience and Skills

•     Solid understanding of the issues involved in organizing for economic and social justice, and a strong commitment to meeting the particular challenges facing communities-of-color, low-income communities, LGBT and queer communities and organizations working in rural communities.

•     Strong verbal and written communication skills

•     Solid planning skills, attention to detail and follow-up

•     Team player and sensitive to collective spirit

•     Proficiency with computers, include email and social media

•     Fundraising/proposal writing

•     Knowledge of the region

•     Experience working with electoral and initiative campaigns

•     Bi-literate and bilingual in Spanish and English preferred

•     Ability to travel extensively in the West and beyond, including weekends and evenings

•     Have a valid driver’s license

 

Salary & Benefits

This is a full time, exempt position based in Portland, OR.

Annual salary of $36,000 - $42,000 depending on experience.

 

Excellent benefits including health and dental insurance, retirement benefits, paid sick leave, vacation, and sabbatical. Western States Center is an EEO employer and encourages applications from people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and women.

 

Only complete applications submitted through our online system by November 15, 2014 will be considered. Complete applications include:

·         Completion of our online application including answers to essay and other questions:

·         Cover letter clearly outlining the specific skills and knowledge you bring to the job and how they are a good fit with the responsibilities of this position

·         A resume detailing relevant experience, work history, education and accomplishments

 

Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis starting Nov 7; please submit your information in a timely way.