Hunger Advocacy Fellow - Communications

Overview

The Hunger Advocacy Fellow for Communications is a full-time, term-contract employee (with benefits) of the ELCA, placed with the Policy team in Washington, D.C. The fellow participates in a year-long formative experience that supports growth as a leader, a person of faith, and a professional advocate for an end to hunger and a just world where all are fed. The fellow is part of the Witness and Society team in the Service & Justice unit, working with federal ELCA advocacy staff in a fast-paced environment.

• COMMUNICATIONS - Advance ELCA Witness in Society storytelling to strengthen advocacy initiatives, inform faith-based advocacy priorities, nurture ELCA connections, and build awareness of advocacy opportunities. Research, write, edit, and plan campaigns and resource development for media, video, action alerts, press releases and additional means of sharing among shared responsibility areas. Create opportunities to connect and integrate young adults and historically marginalized voices with ELCA advocacy in this church and its ministries.
• NETWORKING AND COLLABORATION - Cultivate connectivity between advocacy staff and ELCA congregations, ministries and members to live into our value of accompaniment. Seek mutually beneficial opportunities to build storytelling bridges between lived experience and policy concerns to maximize advocacy effectiveness. Empower disciples for advocacy and help shape voices to be heard by elected officials, policy makers and ELCA members.
• REPRESENTATION OF ADVOCACY NETWORK - Participate in opportunities, be they ELCA-affiliated or in ecumenical or other coalitions, as a representative of the Witness in Society presence of the ELCA. Contribute event support and shaping for WiS engagement opportunities.
• ADVOCACY ENGAGEMENT - With direction from program directors in policy areas, support advocacy engagement that analyzes and addresses the root causes of hunger and economic injustice. Advocate to end world hunger and stand up for policies that create opportunities to overcome poverty, promote peace and dignity, preserve God’s creation and promote racial and gender justice. Build comfort with using ELCA social teaching in faith-based advocacy.
• TEAM SUPPORT & COLLABORATION - Expand coordination and operational capacity of the Federal Advocacy team, helping in any way needed for the team’s success. Specifically support senior leaders and use this close collaboration to learn and develop professional skills. Contribute to team success by meeting deadlines, keeping organized notes and records, communicating reliably and quickly, and maintaining good working relationships.
• LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND FAITH FORMATION - Connect with WiS, the S&J Home Area, ELCA World Hunger, ELCA Young Adults, and fellow Hunger Advocacy Fellows across the country for collective faith formation, leadership development and community building. Participate in the faith life of the ELCA churchwide staff community including worship, service, and theological study & discussion.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Degree in communications or related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Excellent writing and interpersonal skills, with ability to work within style guides and on deadline.
• Ability to function independently and with virtual tools to complete tasks in a hybrid work environment, with strong organizational ability.
• Skill representing points of view accurately that are not necessarily one’s own.
• Understanding and respect for the expertise of individuals who have lived experiences of hunger, and excitement for creating platforms for the voices of these community members to be heard by policymakers.
• Preparedness for interacting with varied community members and leaders.
• Willingness to become familiar with the ELCA’s commitment to be a publicly engaged church, direct legislative engagement and coalition work, and mission and structure.
• Understanding of and professional engagement through the biblical and theological basis of this church and its commitment to public policy advocacy. Ability to model these values in relationship with colleagues,…