Advocacy Specialist - Washington, D.C.

To Apply:

Resume and cover letter should be e-mailed to jobs@miriamskitchen.org, to the attention of Kurt Runge. http://www.miriamskitchen.org/

Mission of Miriam's Kitchen:

Miriam's Kitchen works to end chronic homelessness in Washington, DC. We advocate for permanent supportive housing as a long-term solution, while meeting short-term needs by providing healthy meals and high-quality social services to the chronically homeless.

Advocacy Program Summary:

Miriam's Kitchen's advocacy program is a critical component of reaching our vision of ending chronic homelessness in the District. Advocacy priorities are guest-driven, and guest-led advocacy is encouraged and promoted. Advocacy efforts focus on supporting policies that end chronic homelessness, advocating for adequate funding to implement city-wide policy priorities, and ensuring the effective and fair implementation of policies. Educating and empowering all stakeholders ­– guests, volunteers, staff, and community partners – is integral to the success of the advocacy program.

Position Summary:

The Advocacy Specialist will work on a team to advocate for public policies and system changes to end chronic homelessness in Washington, D.C. The Advocacy Specialist will work to design and implement strategic efforts to engage volunteers, supporters, and the broader community. The Advocacy Specialist will help the team to develop expertise on policy solutions to chronic homelessness with a focus on the intersection of health and homelessness. Working with coalitions, developing relationships with policymakers, empowering guests, and organizing campaigns will all be tools used to implement advocacy priorities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Design and implement strategic efforts to engage volunteers, supporters, and the broader community in advocacy to end chronic homelessness
• Assist with guest-led advocacy efforts and regularly participate in meetings and activities of the People for Fairness Coalition, the guest-led advocacy group at Miriam's Kitchen.
• Work on a team to plan and implement current and future advocacy campaigns
• Research and develop an understanding of best practices to end homelessness and chronic homelessness, and help integrate those into campaign policy recommendations. This research may include developing expertise on the intersection of health and homelessness.
• Be a consistent and a proactive leader among homeless services providers and advocates
• Take a leadership role in various coalitions and other groups advocating on issues regarding homelessness
• Engage with Miriam's Kitchen staff on a regular basis to learn about emerging advocacy issues from their perspective and to keep them informed about the latest developments in advocacy issues
• Be a presence in District policy-making environments related to ending homelessness, including:
  • Testifying at city council hearings
  • Participating in policy working groups
  • Meeting with city council members and executive branch staff to discuss the creation and implementation of policy ideas

Qualifications:

Miriam's Kitchen seeks a highly motivated, enthusiastic leader who is dedicated to guest-driven advocacy, a skilled and engaging public speaker, and has knowledge of the homeless services system.

Specific qualifications include:

• Master's Degree or equivalent in Social Work, Human Services, Law, or Public Policy preferred
• 2 years advocacy or community organizing experience preferred
• Ability to forge productive relationships with community leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders
• Knowledge of legislative processes, particularly within the District government (preferred)
• An understanding of and the ability to articulate the structural and systemic causes of poverty and homelessness and ability to understand and articulate complex human service policy issues
• Ability to partner with and comfort working with the diversity of guests at Miriam's Kitchen, including guests with mental illness, trauma, and substance abuse issues
• Skills for educating and empowering guests about advocacy
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills

Salary and Benefits:

Competitive salary. Benefits include generous annual leave; fully covered health, dental, and vision insurance; 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions; life insurance; short and long term disability insurance; and professional development funding.