Hunger Advocacy Fellow - Federal Policy

Description

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 3 million members in more than 8,600 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

The Lutheran Center (national office) is located in Chicago, Illinois. A staff of approximately 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 & Justice (S&J) unit, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Churchwide Organization fosters and facilitates 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 regional ELCA synods in service and justice work within the territorial jurisdiction of this church; and providing guidance to members of the denomination on matters of social justice.  

Within the S&J unit, the work of the Witness in Society (WiS) team encompasses the advocacy ministry the ELCA churchwide organization does in the public sphere, advancing justice and shining a light on peace and dignity. Our advocacy activity is 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; ELCA-affiliated state public policy offices (SPPOs) in California, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin (as well as more than 15 additional affiliated state partners serving even more states); and through the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program. 

ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellows participate in a year-long formative experience that supports their growth as a leader, as a person of faith, and as a professional advocate for an end to hunger and a just world where all are fed. 

The 2025-2026 Hunger Advocacy Fellow for Federal Policy will learn the concrete skills of faith-based policy advocacy by embedding within and becoming a vital member of the Federal Policy Advocacy staff and by experiencing the practice of advocacy as Christian discipleship. The Hunger Advocacy Fellow for Federal Policy is part of the Witness and Society team in the Service & Justice unit. 

This is a full-time, term-contract (starts September 2025, end August 31, 2026), non-exempt, Washington, D.C.-based, in-person position. This position has responsibilities that will require being in the office. 

The eligibility of a candidate for remote or hybrid positions may depend on the residency of the candidate, and the budget for the role, including salary or pay, insurance coverage, and/or tax burden. Candidates for this position must reside within the fifty United States or the District of Columbia and be authorized to work lawfully in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

1. Government Affairs – Assist and collaborate with Program Directors and Directors in federal policy advocacy to address hunger and its root causes including in areas of: economic justice, peacebuilding, creation care, and honoring the God-given dignity of all people. Organize, prepare materials for, and join meetings with congressional and federal government staff, coalition partners, and internal ELCA constituencies. 

2. Team Coordination & Collaboration – Expand coordination, operational, and policy capacity of the Federal Advocacy team, helping in any way needed for the team’s success, with focus on