Advocacy Director


This job has expired and you can't apply for it anymore.
To Location
2171 University Ave W, Saint Paul, MN, USA

JOB SUMMARY

The Advocacy Director will lead Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota’s efforts to mobilize and engage Minnesota’s Habitat affiliates in advocacy and public policy efforts in pursuit of its strategic priority to be a bold voice for affordable homeownership, specifically supporting just and fair housing policy and growing the capacity of Habitat affiliates in Minnesota. The Advocacy Director will focus on mobilizing affiliates and developing local affiliate capacity to achieve the goals outlined in the Cost of Home campaign on a local level.

The Habitat for Humanity International (Habitat International) National Advocacy agenda includes the following priorities:

  1. Advance homeownership opportunities for low-income households

  2. Promote access to a range of safe, healthy, affordable housing options

  3. Promote financial stability for individuals and families

  4. Cultivate and preserve healthy and vibrant communities

The Cost of Home Advocacy Campaign in Minnesota includes the following priorities:

1. Build the network’s capacity for statewide and local policy influence on housing affordability

2. Inform and mobilize advocates for affordable homeownership

3. Influence federal, state, and local policy on housing affordability

4. Elevate housing affordability as a top issue of concern in Minnesota

5. Mobilize resources to support advocacy for housing affordability via the campaign

Habitat Minnesota engages in advocacy and public policy efforts at the federal, state, and local levels. While supporting all three levels, the Advocacy Director focuses on local engagement and affiliate education and mobilization efforts that support both local and state-level advocacy efforts.


Reporting Relationships

The Advocacy Director reports to the CEO. The Capitol Pathways Intern reports to this position.


Salary and Benefits

Habitat Minnesota offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes vacation and sick leave, 401K match, flexible work schedule, health and dental benefits, and others. The salary range for this position is $65,000 to $80,000 depending on qualifications.


KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Affiliate Education, Technical Assistance & Training

· Provide ongoing training and technical assistance to affiliates on effective advocacy and policy engagement strategies.

· Provide technical assistance to affiliates in building local advocacy goals and developing local relationships.

· Disseminate advocacy and public policy promising practices throughout the network, including policy solutions that advance affordable homeownership that have been implemented in other communities.

· Training affiliate staff and volunteers on the basics of Minnesota Government, including the legislative calendar, how a bill becomes a law, the creation of legislation, and why constituent engagement matters.

· Build an affiliate Advocacy Toolkit or Framework that supports local engagement in advocacy efforts to increase housing affordability and advance affiliate work.

· Connect affiliate leaders to key lawmakers and the lawmakers that represent their districts.

· Provide drafted emails and communications that affiliates can utilize in their efforts to engage with those lawmakers.

· Support affiliate connection to their local Housing Redevelopment Authorities (or similar bodies).

Advocacy

● In collaboration with the CEO, share Habitat Minnesota’s advocacy agenda and lead the organization in implementing the Cost of Home campaign and future advocacy campaigns.

● In collaboration with the CEO, Board of Directors and campaign leaders, speak on behalf of Habitat Minnesota for its advocacy agenda items.

● Work with Habitat affiliates throughout the state of Minnesota to support Habitat’s advocacy priorities

● Engage with other housing practitioners to implement a housing advocacy platform from a community perspective.

● Lead Habitat Minnesota’s involvement in Habitat on the Hill MN and Habitat on the Hill DC and follow up activities. Activities will include scheduling lawmaker meetings, coordinating event logistics, and organizing communication materials for distribution.

● Partner with the Advancement Team in the development and implementation of World Habitat Day programming.

● Develop Habitat Minnesota’s Homeowner Advisory Council, a new effort to engage Habitat Homeowners in Habitat Minnesota’s work, including advocacy priorities.

Community Impact

● Oversee Habitat Minnesota’s promotion and coordination of Habitat International’s Cost of Home campaign.

● Lead the housing public awareness efforts of Habitat Minnesota in partnership with CEO and Board of Directors, including partnership with the Advancement Team on media and communication strategies.

● Partner with housing providers along the housing continuum to develop and implement public awareness raising efforts, such as candidate forums, voter engagement efforts, and other strategies.

● Partner with the Advancement Team to manage advocacy and public policy updates on Habitat Minnesota’s website and social media platforms.

● In partnership with the Director of Advancement, lead Habitat Minnesota’s efforts to update the Homeowner Impact study and oversee research activities to provide analysis to support the public awareness and policy objectives of the organization.

● Coordinate general administrative needs of the Cost of Home campaign including document creation, database management, and grant reporting.


The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for the Advocacy Director position is passionate about affordable housing and engaging the community in a conversation about the importance of this work. The Advocacy Director is excited about an opportunity to connect with Habitat affiliate leaders from around the state, traveling to the various communities in Minnesota, and inspiring people to get engaged in the work of building a fair and just homeownership system. The Advocacy Director has the ability to create strategies to meet Advocacy & Community Impact goals, a proven ability to quickly develop working relationships and exceptional communication skills, can maneuver through complex political situations effectively, and relates well to all kinds of people, up, down, and sideways, inside and outside the organization; builds constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact.

The Advocacy Director has the following skills and experience:

● Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Suite, Excel, MS Word, Salesforce, web-based meeting proficiency, and Google products

● Ability to manage multiple stakeholders with differing priorities

● Ability to work within a remote working structure

● Current driver’s license and vehicle and ability to travel by car or plane

● Ability to establish and maintain excellent working relationships with Habitat staff and affiliate volunteers, Habitat Minnesota Board of Directors and key committees, community organizations and elected officials and their staff

● A thorough, organized and detail-oriented approach to work

● Demonstrated verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills with experience in public speaking and the ability to communicate Habitat Minnesota’s vision

● Cultural Competence, including passion, interest, and demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity values

● Commitment to building strong, collaborative, trusted relationships and partnerships with coworkers, peers, and partners

● At least two years’ experience in policy, advocacy, affordable housing or campaigning

● Relevant experience in issues like advocacy, community outreach, and civic political processes

A relevant degree or comparable relevant lived or professional experience is required.


Working Environment

· Habitat Minnesota business hours are between 8:30 – 4:30 pm; staff schedules vary based on working preference and demands of the position.

· Position will likely work some evenings to meet organizational needs and demands of the legislative calendar.

· Pleasant, secured ground level office suite; hybrid work environment with remote work and in-office work available

· Noise level in the office environment is usually quiet to mild

· Habitat Minnesota shares a dog-friendly office-space with two additional nonprofits

· Free parking


To Apply

Applications received by 9/27 will be reviewed and considered first. Please email resume and cover letter to Cristen Incitti at cristen@hfhmn.org.


Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employment

Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in employment and ensures equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of their age, race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, membership in a local human rights commission, or status as a qualified individual with a disability or Vietnam era or other protected veteran.

Women's Initiative for Self Empowerment, Inc.
Saint Paul, Minnesota (Hybrid)
Posted -
View
Ain Dah Yung Center
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Posted -
View
Hope Dental Clinic
Saint Paul, Minnesota (Hybrid)
Posted -
View
TakeAction Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Posted -
View
TakeAction Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Posted -
View
MORE
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Posted -
View