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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with nearly 3.3 million members in more than 8,900 worshiping communities across the 50 states, Caribbean and U.S. Virgin Islands. With a vision to live in a world experiencing the difference God’s grace and love in Christ makes for all people and creation, the ELCA strives to be a welcoming, thriving and connected church that introduces people to Jesus so they can discover community, justice and love.
The Lutheran Center (national office) is located in Chicago, Illinois. A staff of 400, under the leadership of the Presiding Bishop, serve as administrators, advisors, conveners, partners, and resource people for the ELCA and its ministries. Staff lead the work of national, domestic, and global ministries and programs including Lutheran Disaster Response, ELCA World Hunger, Service & Justice, Christian Community and Leadership, and Innovation. We are also home to five of our separately incorporated ministries: The Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA, Women of the ELCA, Lutheran Men in Mission, the ELCA Foundation and the ELCA Federal Credit Union.
About the position
Through the Service and Justice unit, the ELCA Churchwide Organization shall foster and facilitate this church’s engagement in service with and among communities and promote efforts to call and act for justice. Its work includes engaging in mission, service, and justice in accompaniment with churches and organizations in other countries [serving as the means through which churches in other countries engage in mission to this church and society]; engaging with communities, coalitions and networks, congregations, and synods in service and justice work within the territorial jurisdiction of this church; and providing guidance to members on matters of social justice.
Witness in Society encompasses some of the work and ministry the ELCA does in the public sphere, advancing justice and shining a light on peace and dignity in advocacy activity coordinated from the ELCA’s federal hub in Washington, D.C. alongside the Lutheran Office for World Community at the United Nations in New York City; Lutheran state public policy offices (SPPOs) in California, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin; and more than 15 directly affiliated locations serving even more states; and through the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program.
The primary purpose of the position is to advocate with the United Nations (UN) and represent the ELCA and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) at the UN. This position will keep the ELCA and the LWF informed about matters before the UN and monitor issues of concern to the church with specific program emphasis on gender justice, migration, humanitarian affairs, human rights, HIV/AIDS, the Sustainable Development Goals and racial justice. This work is done in close collaboration with ELCA and LWF colleagues and other partners. This position seeks to inform, equip, and encourage church and society members to be heard at UN.
This is a full-time, regular, exempt New York-based position. This position has responsibilities that will require being in the office on a weekly basis. This could mean 1-2 days most weeks and possibly more days when meetings and other events are happening that this position supports.
Responsibilities
1. REPRESENTATION: Assists the Director in representation of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and LWF self-understanding and mission in pursuit of a more just, peaceful and reconciled world before the United Nations and UN bodies. Represents LOWC and provide leadership on various non-governmental organization (NGO) committees at the UN. Proposes, advises and conveys policy actions by the ELCA and LWF and maintains relationships with governments, the UN, and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
2. ANALYSIS AND EDUCATION: Provides expert analysis to LWF and ELCA staff on international issues. Educates, informs and raises awareness on these topics with ELCA and LWF members. Attends ELCA and LWF events and speaks in public about the work of LOWC at the UN, UN issue areas, and advocacy campaigns.
3. ADVOCACY COLLABORATION: Leads partnership development and collaborative work in ecumenical, interfaith and other working groups on behalf of LOWC. Organizes convening partners in relevant civil society events like advocacy marchers, conferences, workshops, and meetings with the wide range of internal and external stakeholders. Participates in the coordination meetings of the LWF Action for Justice unit.
4. PROGRAMS: Develops, directs and implements programs for LWF and ELCA delegates to the UN, including at the Commission on the Status of Women, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) Women’s Human Rights Advocacy training, UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the UN High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. Manages, implements, and monitors issue-based projects, including program development, logistics and finances related to major events and campaigns.
5. ENGAGEMENT: Plans and leads advocacy engagement at the United Nations. Recommends participation in and monitors advocacy campaigns and NGO coalitions. Convenes Service and Justice staff on common campaigns and collaborates with advocacy partners within the ELCA and related groups.
6. WRITING/COMMUNICATION: Writes policy briefs, newsletter, project proposals, articles for ELCA and LWF publications and LOWC’s Facebook page.
7. PRIORITIES: Set, monitor and evaluate annual LOWC advocacy priorities with the LOWC Director and the LWF Head of Global Advocacy.
8. SUPERVISION: Hires and supervises interns and volunteers.
9. OFFICE: Serves as initial contact person for information and resources for the office. Supports the work of the office by handling financial matters and administrative tasks for the office.
10. Other duties as assigned, integrated with the Service and Justice home area and the churchwide organization.
Requirements:
1. Bachelor’s degree required, graduate degree preferred in international studies or related degree.
2. Three-year minimum employment experience in a church, faith-based organization or advocacy setting; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
3. Lived experience in an LWF member church, desired.
4. Specialized knowledge of international affairs, human rights instruments, the structure and programs of the United Nations and NGOs.
5. Ability to execute advocacy tactics and strategies including planning and organizing events, effective public speaking, planning and leading meetings, and briefings for large and culturally diverse groups.
6. Ability to maintain good working relationships with other staff and all those who have a relationship with the office, including those from diverse cultural backgrounds.
7. Experience using Microsoft Office suite, various communication, and social media platforms.
8. Ability to prioritize work and to work independently during the frequent absences of the director.
Physical Effort: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone. This position requires sitting for long periods of time. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Travel Frequency: Some travel; up to 10%. Position requires some overnight domestic and international travel by plane or train.
Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience: Minimum: $66,206.
Benefits
The ELCA offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees, including employer paid health premiums for employees, health and dependent care FSA’s, a health savings account (HSA) with an employer contribution, life insurance, and a substantial employer contribution to 403b retirement plan (no match required). We also offer a generous paid time-off policy including 11 paid holidays. All benefits commence on your start date.