In response to disproportionately high levels of unemployment and low-wage work in Black communities, the National Black Worker Center Project (NBWC) – a national network of Black worker centers – launched in 2011. We support and incubate worker centers that empower Black workers to advance their rights and improve the quality of jobs in key employment sectors through policy change and creation. We provide education and opportunities to mobilize around the impacts of low-wage work and unemployment in Black communities and work to prevent racial discrimination in hiring and other employment practices and policies. Through our network, we intervene in the labor market to improve racial and economic employment conditions. Our network consists of membership-based, and member- driven organizations that mobilize through a lens of joyous militancy, utilizing leadership development, organizing, policy advocacy, Black culture, and strategic communications to build power to address the Black job crisis.
As a member of the Policy & Politics team, you will advance our team’s long-term vision to continuously provide Black workers with quality legal tools and policy resources; as well as engage in advocacy that supports all Black workers who are organizing around quality jobs and against racism and discrimination in their workplaces. You will work with and report to NBWC’s Policy Director.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
- The day-to-day implementation of NBWC’s policy campaigns, alongside the Policy Director, at the national and statewide level. This work includes carrying out many aspects of the campaign work including coordinating with communications team on campaign communications, Organizing team on organizing/engaging community members/volunteers, and with external researchers, legal advisors, community-based organizations, and decision makers.
- Seeding and launching new policy and advocacy initiatives in collaboration with the Policy Director, the organizing team and partner organizations, towards the goal of moving our vision forward.
- Supporting the development and implementation of ambitious new research and writing projects.
- Implement and coordinate NBWC’s Black Legal Action Community Knowledge program.
- Building and maintaining relationships with grassroots organizations, unions, allied organizations, policymakers, and trusted media; and maintaining a database and other records on our partners, community organizations and leaders in the issues areas we focus on and our tier 1 states.
- The candidate will have an ability and willingness to collaborate closely on projects of mutual interest with other stakeholders and organizations.
- Effectively organize political and community allies in support of strategic campaigns and civic engagement activities and turnout of community organizations and local Black Worker Centers to our events.
- Identify strategic policy opportunities to advance campaign work; including but not limited to identifying, educating, and recruiting policymakers to champion strategic policy; educating
lawmakers on policy impacts, monitoring and identifying new and pending policies that impact
Black working class people.
- Coordinate with NBWC’s Black Worker Task Force to effectively shape viable bottom-up policy and corporate practice change that better protect Black workers in the workplace and shift employment opportunities toward worker and community thriving.
- Alongside the Policy Director, advocating for local, state, and federal policies that will raise the labor standards for all workers, including the Black Worker Bill of Rights.
- Help disseminate the Black Worker Bill of Rights, NBWC’s policy platform and agenda, policy analysis, and recommendations by authoring blogs, op-eds and other materials.
- The policy & politics team has developed a monthly law and policy newsletter for staff, board members, Black Worker Task Force members, and local Black Worker Centers. Responsible for the management and publication of the newsletter, with the support of NBWC interns.
- Routinely document political and community engagement via Facebook, Twitter, and E-Blast to promote campaigns.
- Ensure NBWC is represented at key meetings, coalitions, community events, public forums, legislative and agency hearings to maintain effective relationships and build support for NBWC campaigns. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- A bachelor’s degree in public policy, public administration, government, political science, social studies, or related field required. An advanced degree is a plus;
- Two or more years of experience in creating and executing campaigns (with elements of partnership building, research, legal or regulatory processes, and policy);
- Working knowledge of worker rights movement and key trends in poverty, labor policy, and racial equity;
- Strong skills and experience navigating national and state policy processes and advocacy with policy makers, government actors, advocates, and other stakeholders, including but not limited to educating lawmakers, navigating policy creation, coordinating lawmaker visits, strategizing to move supporters to action and to identify and neutralize opposition;
- Excellent research skills;
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write across a number of formats including policy reports, legislative testimony, public presentations, blogs, and op-eds;
- Experience building and maintaining coalitions;
- Commitment to social and economic justice and to building collective power for Black workers;
- Passionate about the advancement of Black communities and can collaborate closely with organizations that serve Black communities;
- Ability to build relationships/partnerships in a virtual environment; and
- Ability to work under pressure and with minimal supervision. PREFERRED QUALITIES
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Strong desire to grow in an organization that is evolving;
Experience working with workers and organizations in the south;
Political savvy and strong interpersonal skills to build relationships with diverse audiences;
Able to clearly and concisely express yourself to different audiences;
Exceptional organization and time management skills; a demonstrated ability to design a work plan, prioritize, and meet goals;
Grace under pressure and a good sense of humor;
Focused and flexible: no matter where it happens, the job gets done;
Visionary and forward-thinking and will inspire team members to make an impact on the future of Black workers through research, analysis, and engagement;
Intellectual curiosity, an ability to scrutinize and question facts and theories of experts, an ability to explain and defend one’s position, humility to embrace the learning of new skills and approaches, and a desire to grow; and
Excellent research skills, including familiarity with relevant national and/or state and local data sets, and the ability to assess and troubleshoot analytical approaches.
All NEO
religious exemptions from the vaccination requirement will be considered on an individual basis, to the extent required by law.
Philanthropy staff are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Requests for medical and/or
PROPOSED SALARY
This is a full-time position. The salary for this position will range from $55,000-$70,000 based on experience.
National Black Worker Center is a project of and fiscally sponsored by NEO Philanthropy. NEO Philanthropy provides a robust benefits package, which includes medical, dental, vision, life, long term disability, and pet insurance. NEO also administers FSA, commuter benefit, and 401k retirement plans and has generous Paid Time Off and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
NEO is an equal opportunity employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected status. Women, people of color, LGBTQ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Due to the anticipated volume of responses, we will contact only those candidates who most closely match our requirements.