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Job Announcement: Program Coordinator - Southern Strategies Program

The Institute for Southern Studies, an award-winning nonprofit research, media and education center based in Durham, North Carolina, seeks a full-time Program Coordinator for the Institutes Southern Strategies Program, an initiative to strengthen progressive social justice infrastructure in the South. The ideal candidate will have strong skills in program planning, organizing and facilitating groups, and working with diverse partners and allies including funders, unions and social justice organizations to achieve common goals. A demonstrated commitment to racial, gender, and economic justice as well as experience in civic engagement, organizing, and/or policy efforts in the South are required.

ABOUT THE INSTITUTE FOR SOUTHERN STUDIES

Founded in 1970 by veterans of the civil rights movement, the Institute for Southern Studies is a research, media, and education nonprofit dedicated to exposing injustice, strengthening democracy, and building a community for change in the South. The Institute publishes the online magazine, Facing South, and has earned numerous awards for its media and reporting projects. Learn more at www.southernstudies.org.

SOUTHERN STRATEGIES PROGRAM COORDINATOR RESPONSIBILITIES

The Southern Strategies Program Coordinator will lead the Institute’s efforts to convene key stakeholders to develop and implement initiatives to build stronger infrastructure for progressive change in the region. The position is part of the Institute’s Southern Strategies Program, launched in 2014 to deepen understanding about the changing South, highlight opportunities for progressive change, and support initiatives to strengthen social justice infrastructure in the region.

Responsibilities will include:

  1. Coordinating the Southern Working Group (SWG), a group of individual donors, unions, foundations and field leaders dedicated to strengthening progressive infrastructure in the South. Key tasks will include:
    • Coordinating SWG calls and facilitating inclusive and effective communication and decision-making among members;
    • Conducting outreach to members and strengthening their participation;
    • Facilitating and coordinating group meetings/convenings, including helping to identify goals and objectives, fostering group engagement, and ensuring follow-through on key decisions and plans
    • Assisting the SWG in identifying and carrying out short-, medium- and long-term projects and initiatives to build progressive infrastructure in the South
    • Helping to fundraise from members to carry out program and staffing plans
    • Preparing documents and reports as needed
    • Managing grants and invoices/payments in coordination with Institute staff and accountants
    • Carrying out other programmatic activities as needed
       
  2. Leading Institute engagement in other efforts to strengthen regional collaboration and heighten support for Southern progressive infrastructure, including:
    • Working with the Institute’s Executive Director to conduct strategic planning and develop program goals for the Southern Strategies Program
    • Facilitating and initiating communication between the Institute and other state, regional and national partners engaged in building Southern infrastructure, including foundations, donors, and national, regional and state organizations
    • Coordinating with Institute staff, including researchers and writers, to produce timely research, analysis and stories
    • Delivering presentations to key stakeholders, including workshops, webinars and other forums as needed
    • Serving as Institute’s liaison to state, regional and national convenings and projects dedicated to Southern collaboration and infrastructure-building

 

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have strong skills in program planning, organizing and facilitating groups, and working with diverse partners and allies including funders, unions, major donors and social justice organizations to achieve common goals. A demonstrated commitment to racial, gender and economic justice and experience in civic engagement, organizing and/or policy efforts in the South are required.

  • Experience in program leadership, strategic planning and project management
  • Strong skills in group coordination and program facilitation
  • Deep understanding of progressive work in the South and a demonstrated commitment to issues of racial, gender, LGBTQ and economic justice
  • Ability to work with a team of colleagues both in-person and remotely
  • Fundraising and budget management
  • Self-directed, proactive work style
  • Ability and willingness to travel nationally and regionally as needed
  • Reliability and organization
  • Strong internal- and external-facing communication skills
  • Minimum of 2-3 years experience in the field
  • A bachelor’s degree

POSITION DETAILS

Hours: Full-time
Location: Based in Durham, North Carolina preferred; travel required
Compensation: Salary commensurate with experience; benefits include employer-provided health plan and a generous vacation policy
Start date: Ability to start by April 1 strongly preferred

TO APPLY

Please email a resume and cover letter to jobs@southernstudies.org with “Program Coordinator” in the subject line. The application deadline is 9 a.m. EST, Friday, March 2, 2018.

The Institute for Southern Studies values the diverse perspectives and experiences that candidates bring. People of color, women, LGBTQ individuals and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.