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 & Justice (S&J) unit, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Churchwide Organization fosters and facilitates 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.

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 Federal Policy, working with federal ELCA advocacy staff in a fast-paced environment, will advance their professional communications skills in the advocacy endeavor. 

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 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. Government Affairs – Assist and collaborate with Program Directors and senior leaders in federal policy advocacy to address hunger and its root causes including in areas of: economic justice, peacebuilding, creation care, and honoring the God-given dignity of all people. Organize, prepare materials for, and join meetings with congressional and federal government staff, coalitional partners, and internal ELCA constituencies. 
2. Issue Leadership – With mentorship & support from supervisor and other colleagues, identify one issue or specific piece of legislation on which to lead policy advocacy, developing strategy and carrying it through to completion over the course of the fellowship. Represent the ELCA and its social teaching on this issue area to external and internal audiences, including government officials and the ELCA community.
3. Advocacy Engagement Collaboration – Support and collaborate with WiS Advocacy Engagement staff: research, write, and edit resources and communications; grow, train, and equip ELCA grassroots advocacy networks; build relationships of accompaniment with diverse ELCA ministries and communities including low-income families, young adults, and people of color.
4. 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.
5. Leadership Development and Faith Formation - Connect throughout the year with WiS, the S&J Home Area, ELCA World Hunger, ELCA Young Adults, and with fellow Hunger Advocacy Fellows across the country 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 & discussion. 
6. Social Teaching of the Church - In support of all items above, builds knowledge of ELCA social teaching relevant to hunger advocacy; the policy commitments of the ELCA; and the contributions of Christianity and the Lutheran church to public life. 
7. Other duties as assigned. 

Requirements

1. Bachelor’s degree or 2 years of experience in a professional office environment.

2. Passion for service, justice, and building the life and community of faith. Strong interest in government, policy, and faith-based advocacy. 

2. Strong written and oral communication skills; ability to follow complex instructions, keep track of multiple tasks & priorities, and complete work on deadline; ability to function independently and to collaborate using MS Office and virtual tools within in a large, hybrid organization. 

3. Eagerness to learn about the ELCA’s mission, structure, social teaching; our commitment to being a publicly engaged church; and the tools, skills, and values of faith-based policy advocacy.

4. Strong social skills and commitment to building relationships of respect and accompaniment with diverse ELCA community members, especially those who have lived experiences of hunger, poverty, and their root causes. Knowledge of and/or lived experience of the issues on which the ELCA advocates strongly preferred.

5. Willingness to learning the biblical and theological basis of this church, its policy positions, and its commitment to the practice of accompaniment. Ability to model these values in relationships with colleagues, partners and the public.

6. Appreciation for the mission, vision, and values of the ELCA. 

7.Experience using Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, etc.).

8.Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism. 

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).