Lead Organizer, Aid Effectiveness (18 month position)

Department: Aid Effectiveness

LOCATION:

Washington, DC (preferred) or Boston, MA

REPORTS TO:

US and International Organizing Manager, Outreach & Organizing Department

COORDINATES WITH:

Aid Effectiveness Director and team; E-communications team; international aid-focused institutions, organizations and networks; Outreach & Organizing staff; Policy & Communications staff; volunteers and interns

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The goal of Oxfam’s Aid Effectiveness (AE) Initiative is to refocus US foreign aid policies away from short term security and political concerns and toward effectively addressing the causes and symptoms of poverty. This position will identify, recruit, cultivate and support a targeted public constituency of influential US Internationalists in support of Oxfam’s AE reform agenda, utilizing a combination of online and offline strategies, and will deploy that constituency to deliver high impact public influencing strategies for the AE reform campaign. This position will also provide overall coordination and management of public campaigning functions within the initiative.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Identify, recruit, cultivate and support a targeted, influential public constituency of US Internationalists in support of Oxfam’s Aid Effectiveness reform agenda

Identify and recruit a targeted and diverse public “outside the Washington DC beltway” constituency of individuals, institutions and organizations to actively engage in Oxfam’s AE initiative. This constituency will include existing Oxfam supporters and targeted outreach to new constituencies of “American Internationalists” including urban elites, university leaders, development professionals, faith leaders and others, with particular focus on key urban centers, including New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco
Work with e-communications team to develop tailored approaches for continuously cultivating top level AE constituents, maximizing use of on-line and web-based tools.
Continuously nurture and support AE top level constituency to become knowledgeable and active on aid reform, using full range of online and offline methods, including e-communications, webinars, local events, conferences, etc.
Identify and develop public spokespersons and champions for AE reform who are willing and able to speak with local and national media and to exert influence on congressional targets.
As appropriate, conduct broad public outreach and engagement on aid reform, providing training to public audiences, presenting at conferences, organizing events, etc.
Engage with organizations, networks, student groups and other citizen and grassroots advocates seeking to work with Oxfam’s AE initiative
Serve as core member of Aid Effectiveness team, working closely with Aid Effectiveness Team Director and team in the development of national strategic and tactical campaign plans to build constituency in support of more effective US development assistance
Assist in planning and development of public communications materials, including publications, web tools, web content, and e-actions.

Provide overall project coordination and project management of campaigning functions for the Aid Effectiveness initiative, delivering high impact public influencing strategies in support of campaign goals

Work with AE team and US/International Organizing Manager to develop and execute campaign plan to take full advantage of targeted US constituencies to engage in full range of influencing tactics, including local meetings, op-eds and letters to the editor, sign-on letters, DC lobby fly-in events, etc.
As appropriate, engage full range of Oxfam campaigning capacities, including field organizing, volunteer corps, e-advocacy and phone banking.
Serve as campaigning lead to communications department in the development of public outreach and campaigning materials
Project plan and execute specific events to deliver public pressure and movement in support of aid reform, including sign-on letters, lobby days, media events, speaking events, etc.

Serve as a member of Oxfam’s flexible campaigning force, contributing to Oxfam’s outreach and organizing strategy, seeking to grow our constituency base and to advance Oxfam’s overall mission and campaign priorities

Serve as member of Oxfam’s flexible campaigning force, able to effectively communicate to public audiences about Oxfam’s mission and overall campaign priorities, including climate change, extractive industries reform, humanitarian response and hunger and poverty (in addition to aid effectiveness).
Build and leverage opportunities to link messaging and organizing across campaigns, together with AE
Build and grow Oxfam constituency base, meeting goals for recruitment and engagement. Continuously track and monitor progress against Oxfam constituency growth and development goals, utilizing constituent and event tracking systems, including the Constituent Relationship Management system
Recruit, manage and mentor interns and temporary employees to cover administrative organizing tasks, including conferences, film screenings, and mailings
Share learning and best practices within agency
Respond in positive fashion to unexpected and urgent needs
Perform other reasonably related duties as required

EXPECTATIONS FOR THE POSITION:

Washington DC is the preferred location for this position. Boston based candidates will also be considered, with the expectation that the position will be based full time (during the working week) in Washington DC for the first six months with location thereafter negotiable.
The incumbent will stay abreast of professional standards, trends and issues affecting this set of responsibilities, demonstrating continuous learning of the field.
S/he will work effectively and collaboratively in support of building a team-based culture of work, will perform all duties appropriately for a multi-cultural environment, treating all persons with dignity and respect, and will be familiar with and committed to Oxfam America mission and goals.
Must be able to travel internationally and domestically in support of work (up to 1 week/month, not including DC travel if position is Boston based); some evening work may be required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

Bachelors degree; Masters degree preferred

Experience:

Minimum 5 years relevant experience in organizing, relationship management and events management
Ability to effectively organize and communicate in online environments; experience in using new technologies for education or organizing purposes
Demonstrated ability to manage and work within complex multi-functional projects and teams
Knowledge of human rights and international development
Excellent public speaking and training skills
Demonstrated ability to set priorities and work under pressure
Excellent communications skills, both oral and written

Preferred:

Knowledge of US foreign aid policy
Experience living, working, or studying in a developing country

Please see our How to Apply page for application information. Oxfam America is an Equal Opportunity Employer.