Program Director, Civil Rights Policy

Description

About the ELCA 

The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 3 million members in more than 8,700 worshipping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region (Puerto Rico and the 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 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (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 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. 

Witness in Society (WiS) encompasses some of the work and ministry the ELCA 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; Lutheran 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. 

The Program Director for Civil Rights Policy will lead and carry out the church’s public witness (both governmental and grassroots advocacy) on issues related to promoting equal rights, justice, and inclusion for all people in U.S. federal policy, especially for members of historically disadvantaged groups, with a particular focus on racial justice. This advocacy will be informed and sustained by time spent in “accompaniment,” the spiritual practice of walking beside and maintaining meaningful relationships with underrepresented people and communities on behalf of whom we advocate. This work also includes supporting colleagues in integrating equity across federal policy areas and working as part of the WiS team in the Service and Justice home area.  

This is a full-time, regular, exempt, Washington D.C.-based, hybrid 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 depending on need. 

Candidates for this remote 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.

Responsibilities

1.  Policy Advocacy - On behalf of the ELCA, leads civil rights policy advocacy strategy, including development, implementation, and impact evaluation. Policy areas include but are not limited to: racial justice, women’s rights and gender justice, LGBTQ+ equality, labor policy, including voting rights and election law, criminal justice reform, and gun violence, as well as equity dimensions of education and healthcare policy. Works in cooperation with the Director for Strategy and Advocacy, the Witness in Society (WiS) team, and other key stakeholders to establish strategic annual priorities for domestic policy based on the social teaching of the church. Brings to these colleagues’ attention political developments which may