Job Type

Full-time, Contract
Description
About the ELCA
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with nearly 3.3 million members in more than 8,900 worshiping communities across the 50 states, Caribbean, and 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 home area, 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.
The Witness in Society (WiS) team 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.
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 Hunger Advocacy Fellow for Communications, working with federal ELCA advocacy staff in a fast-paced environment, will advance their professional communications skills in the advocacy endeavor.
The Hunger Advocacy Fellow for Communications is part of the Witness and Society team in the Service & Justice home area.
This is a full-time, term-contract (beginning in September 2024 and ending August 2025 ) , non-exempt, hybrid/location-specific position. This position requires being in the Washington, D.C. office on a regular, weekly basis.
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.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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 in comfort with using ELCA social teaching in faith-based advocacy.
5. 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 & records, communicating reliably and quickly, and maintaining good working relationships.
6. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND FAITH FORMATION - Connect throughout the year with ELCA Witness in Society, Service and Justice home area, ELCA World Hunger, the ELCA-affiliated state public policy network, ELCA young adult ministries, and Hunger Advocacy Fellows in other part of the church for collective faith formation, leadership development and community building. Participate (as aligned with their own convictions) in the faith life of the ELCA churchwide staff community including worship, service, and theological study and discussion.
7. Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
1. Degree in or enrolled in school for communications or related field or experiential equivalent.
2. Excellent writing and interpersonal skills, with ability to work within style guides and on deadline.
3. Ability to function independently and with virtual tools to complete tasks in a hybrid work environment, with strong organizational ability.
4. Skill representing points of view accurately that are not necessarily one's own.
5. 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.
6. Preparedness for interacting with varied community members and leaders.
7. 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.
8. 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, partners and the public.
9. Knowledge of the social issues faced by communities that the ELCA serves and the various points of view they elicit. Awareness of and sensitivity toward the diversity among ELCA Lutherans and ability to equip all types of audiences toward action on a common goal.
10. Appreciation for the mission, vision and values of the ELCA.
11. Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism.
12. Experience using Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, etc.).
Physical
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone, and sometimes, to move about the state Capitol for meetings and other events. This position requires sitting for extended periods of time. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Travel
Minimal travel required. Travel may include overnight domestic travel by car, plane, train. Valid driver's license required.
Benefits
The ELCA offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees, including employer paid health premiums for employees, health and dependent care FSA's, a health savings account (HSA) with an employer contribution, life insurance, and a substantial employer contribution to 403b retirement plan (no match required). We also offer a generous paid time-off policy including 16 paid holidays. All benefits commence on your start date.
Contact
If you have questions about this job or your application, please complete this form to contact People Solutions (HR).
Salary Description

$20.00/hour.