Community Mobilization Manager, National Network of Abortion Funds, Boston, MA

Community Mobilization Manager

Posted on: April 29, 2013
Posted by: National Network of Abortion Funds

DESCRIPTION

The National Network of Abortion Funds (the Network) is a national organization dedicated to increasing access to abortion for low-income women and girls. Founded in 1993 by 22 pioneering abortion Funds, the Network now includes nearly 100 Funds in 40 states, the District of Columbia, Mexico, Canada, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, as well as one international web-based Fund. The Network supports its members to provide direct financial support for abortions to low-income women and girls, and conducts grassroots, state, and national organizing, advocacy, public education and policy work to ensure that women most in need have access to abortion and full reproductive health care.

The Community Mobilization Manager is a key member of the Network's advocacy and member support teams. This position coordinates Network-priority advocacy and movement-building efforts with member Funds and other partners, and ensures engagement of member Funds in these efforts. The Community Mobilization Manager also works to build a strong network of advocates and leaders within abortion Funds that reflects those who face the greatest barriers to abortion – low-income women, women of color, and young women.

The Network is a social justice organization and is committed to diversity in both its programmatic work and staffing with regard to race, culture, ethnicity, class, religion, physical ability, age, gender, and sexual orientation.

This is a new, full-time position based in the Boston office (preferred). This position reports to the Deputy Director and will work closely with abortion Fund activists, staff, and volunteers. Frequent travel within the U.S. is required.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Fund Advocacy: Identify advocacy strategies that build on strengths of abortion Funds. Ensure engagement of Funds in advocacy efforts to increase access to abortion for women most in need. Develop skilled and engaged advocates within abortion Funds, help Funds educate, engage, and activate their supporters for advocacy purposes. Serve as the staff point person for Fund members on any advocacy questions, interests, or opportunities.

• Work in close partnership with member support staff to identify Funds who need support and develop and implement recommendations to increase capacity of member Funds to undertake advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Provide training and support of abortion Fund activists in key organizing, advocacy, and communications skills.
• Conduct on-going technical assistance, providing Fund activists with strategic assistance, resources, and materials to conduct advocacy activities in their communities.
• Responsible for communications to member Funds regarding advocacy activities and opportunities.

Storytelling: Develop programming to support ethical collection and sharing of stories of women helped by abortion Funds. Develop materials outlining best practices and systems for storytelling for advocacy purposes. Provide support to Fund members and women who want to share their stories.

Building the Movement Leadership Program: Manage and further develop program to promote Fund leadership among women of color, low-income women, and young women. Work with staff/board task force to provide training, networking, and support to increase leadership skills for participants. Manage application process. In addition, support Fund efforts to engage women served by their Fund as leaders, spokeswomen, and advocates.

Coalition Leadership: Represent the Network on the movement-building and federal strategies teams of a national coalition to restore Medicaid coverage of abortion, co-led by the Network. Contribute to the development of strategies and activities informed by the experiences of Funds on the ground. Identify opportunities for Fund involvement in coalition strategies.

Program Planning, Communications, and Fundraising: Participate with other staff and board in collaborative planning of Network programs. Support fundraising efforts including calling and meeting with donors and drafting reports on activities for funders, as requested by fundraising staff. Responsible for communicating progress and success of advocacy efforts and programs to Funds, allies, funders, and staff/board, as directed.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Commitment to abortion access and full reproductive health care for all women; commitment to women's rights, social, economic, and racial justice.
• Experience and demonstrated skill in community organizing, and/or grassroots issue or policy advocacy campaigns, or political campaigns.
• Knowledge of and experience with the legislative process.
• Experience and demonstrated skill in leadership development, volunteer development and building active participation of leaders in advocacy efforts, strongly preferred.
• A creative, resourceful approach to problem-solving, including strong analytic, strategic and planning skills along with demonstrated aptitude for taking initiative on projects.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Good judgment, political sensitivity and savvy.
• Experience working with small, low-infrastructure organizations and volunteers. Affinity and appreciation for grassroots organizations.
• Ability to work with diverse staff, board, and Fund activists with sense of humor and flexibility.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants should email their resume, cover letter, and a brief writing sample (no more than 3 pages) to National Network of Abortion Funds at: jobs@fundabortionnow.org.

Please use this subject line: Community Mobilization Manager Search

Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

Women of color are strongly encouraged to apply.
Competitive salary, dependent on experience. Excellent benefits and vacation package.