Level: Senior
Job Location: MFS Belmont Office - Portland, OR
Position Type: Full Time
Education Level: 4 Year Degree
Salary Range: Undisclosed
Travel Percentage: Negligible
Job Shift: Day
Job Category: Executive
Description
Position Title: Chief Advocacy and Equity Officer
Location: Belmont Office
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer
Dept/Program: Administration
FTE: 1.0 FTE (40 hours/week
Status: Exempt
Created: January 2021 Job Number: CAEO0104
General Description:
Metropolitan Family Service position descriptions are guidelines. They are not intended to identify every task that a member will be asked to complete. They are intended as a general outline of the essential service responsibilities and qualifications of the position.
Values:
- We use creative and proactive problem solving to build and sustain dynamic community-based programs and quality services.
- We believe in the potential of families and individuals at all life stages and focus on prevention, wellness, and independence.
- We build strong relationships by collaborating with our funders, partners, and highly trained volunteers, always striving for an extensive commitment to diversity.
General Function:
Reporting directly to the CEO, the Chief Advocacy and Equity Officer serves as a member of the Executive Management Team and is an active participant in making strategic decisions impacting MFS. The CAEO is responsible for executing broad-based advocacy leadership work at local, state and national levels. Builds on community work within MFS programs to support both the engagement of client voices in our advocacy efforts, as well as to support the recruitment of employees and volunteers to engage with MFS focusing on talent acquisition that represents communities that MFS serves.
The Chief Advocacy and Equity Officer is a position that has two primary functions that overlap. The intention of the position is to drive policies and practices that are mission synced with MFS, helping raise the voices and resilience of our clients, the impact of our workforce, and the engagement of our human service sector in critical systems change that creates a socially just society. As a member of the MFS executive team, the Chief Advocacy and Equity Officer will play a key role in coordinating existing and emerging practices and structures to support Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work at MFS, in partnership with the full Executive Team, and in concert with the full Management Team.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
CORE VALUES
Equity & Social Justice
- Values working in a multi-cultural, diverse environment
- Values and supports inclusion and program access for clients
- Supports agency goals for reducing disparity in outcomes for communities of color
- Adopts anti-racism approaches to services by understanding and acknowledging systemic and individual racism and privilege
Teamwork
- Ability to work independently and to collaborate with other MFS staff and volunteers and to model effective teamwork skills
- Ability to proactively problem-solve and resolve conflict
- Ability and commitment to continuous quality improvements and innovation of program
- Ability to effectively manage and maintain confidential and sensitive information
- Experience in program development and effective training techniques for staff
Collaboration
- Ability to work effectively in collaboration within all MFS departments, client groups, and the Board of Directors
- Ability to outreach to key policy and partner leadership and offer persuasive and clear proposals and considerations to support MFS direction
- Ability to understand and incorporate the “lived experience” perspective in approaching equity and advocacy efforts (as opposed to an academic or theoretic basis alone)
- Ability and commitment to work effectively within a team-dependent environment and provide leadership and support to staff to demonstrate effective team dynamics
- Ability to work and communicate effectively with a broad range of individuals and groups
- Ability to manage difference and conflict inherent in equity work in an inclusive framework that helps advance growth while providing a sense of safety and mutuality
Agency Governance and Management
- Experience in developing and managing budgets
- Advanced knowledge and competency to operate a personal computer
- Advanced competency in using Word, Excel and various database programs
- Possesses strong verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Possesses excellent time management and organizational skills
- Ability to effectively manage and maintain confidential and sensitive information
- Ability to recognize and manage critical incidents within department and/or mandatory reporting regulations and responsibilities
Representative Voice
Co-create a process with program teams and program participants that would provide ways for their advocacy concerns to be heard and delivered in ways that would result in positive action that is mission aligned. Move the participant work and message into advocacy efforts that is collaborative with our MFS Board DEI committee and consistent with the MFS Equity lens
Advocacy and Governmental Relations
- Keeps pulse of policy and practice implications of city/county/state/national efforts that includes MFS program participant voice, and ally work by MFS staff/volunteers
- Ability to leverage key contacts in order to align with and drive forward legislative action
- Leads strategic conversations to inform purpose, process and level of investment in important advocacy efforts pursued by MFS
- Coordinates efforts to raise the agency voice in the public arena as it serves the mission and community members
- Offer information to inform decisions on advocacy groups and broader collaborative efforts in partnership with the Equity and Diversity Committee (Staff), and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee (Board)
- Provides bridge to larger advocacy issues that directly related to stated client priorities
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Coordinates Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work initiated and supported by the MFS Management team which includes internal and external relationships, training and support and acts as coordinator for the Executive Team, providing support for each Executive Team member’s equity portfolio
- Coordinate Executive Team equity plan and process in order to drive changes identified in assessment, and current and future concerns and goals
- Provides avenues for activation of equity efforts through partnerships within and outside of MFS, in partnership with leaders across MFS, , Board DEI committee and internal Equity and Diversity Committee
- Supports continuous growth in anti-racist and inclusive practice by helping to streamline and better articulate expectations for every person who works for or serves MFS. Leads vision to integrate equity lens in staff/volunteer recruitment and orientation
- Works with current internal equity groups to identify and access training and coaching practices that support learning for each MFS staff and volunteer (including AmeriCorps members). Advises on external experts and consultants in this area as relevant and helpful
- Manages budget for DEI and helps to identify funding sources for additional growth in the future
Board Development and Support
- Support Board recruitment to identify strong community leaders from diverse communities, who have advocacy potential that serves MFS mission
- Staff the Board DEI Committee in partnership with CEO
Attends Board meetings as relevant to drive advocacy work at Board level, in partnership with CEO
- Provides requested updates on work area for inclusion in regular CEO Board reports, and is available to present at Board as needed
Overall Agency Management
- Supports the vision, values and direction and policies of the agency. Works on policies, plans and systems which put these into action within the agency. Actively supports and incorporates these into daily work
- Contributes to long and short term agency planning
- Supports the vision, values and direction and policies of the agency. Actively supports and incorporates these into daily work
- As part of the Executive team, plays a part in shaping the development, communication and implementation of effective growth strategies and processes to achieve goals and objectives in accordance with the strategic plan
- Collaborates with the Executive Management Team to develop and implement plans for operational infrastructure of systems, processes and personnel designated to accommodate the growth objectives of the agency
- Actively participate agency and program meetings, trainings and retreats
- Effectively and consistently markets the organization, communicating about MFS in a way that is both compelling and on message. Follow marketing guidelines in place when communicating with staff, volunteers, clients, partners, and potential supporters
- Comply with Metropolitan Family Service policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook
Impact
- Responsible for long-term strategic planning and implementing short-term organizational achievement strategy through Executive Team work plans. Involved in annual program planning, resource allocation and budget implementation process. Recommends policy and broad resource decisions to the CEO and Board of Directors for information and approval. Anticipates the future and responds to change and errors systematically using a quality management approach. Solves problems by taking risks and leading change with others. Responsible for maintaining a positive image and satisfaction with the agency and agency services. Considers the needs of diverse socio-economic, racial, ethnic and other cultural groups served
Ability to make clear, well reasoned decisions
- Participate in final review or collaboration on major, agency wide decisions. Participates in setting agency policies, develops alternatives, negotiates, exercises discretion
Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:
Has proven track record in field
Demonstrated success in advocacy work as well as broad experience in supporting diversity, equity and inclusion work
Strong relationships within the communities in our service area
Experience with diverse recruitment and staff development
Up to date in the field of nonprofit development trends and best practice. Is current in their professional field, and has shown that they incorporate relevant new information in specific technical area of expertise
Experienced in managing teams and supervision
Has experience effectively leading work teams to produce cohesive work flow, and positive team morale
Has shown evidence of being able to embrace varying cultural experiences and communication difference when building diverse teams
Education and Experience Requirements:
Advanced degree and/or professional certification and 8-10 years of previous related experience with broad responsibilities in a majority of the following areas:
Advanced governmental advocacy skills, including:
Experience in launching and leading coalitions that support social determinants of health
Experience in driving internal initiatives within a system, with ability to work with multiple levels and roles in order to lead change
Leadership experience in Equity, Inclusion and Diversity work, with an emphasis on coaching towards organizational growth in this area
Fluency and ability to communicate effectively in languages in addition to English is beneficial
Other Requirements:
Personal transportation allowing for travel within the Portland Metropolitan area in a timely manner. If driving a personal vehicle must maintain a valid driver license for the state of residency, personal auto liability insurance coverage and a driving record permitting coverage under the agency auto liability policy.
MFS requires all employees and volunteers to complete a criminal background check which includes a fingerprint background check. We review the results of all background checks individually and consider all of the circumstances of any issues that arise in a background check during the hiring process.
Work Environment:
Work is normally performed in an office environment and/or at other locations as deemed necessary. May require occasional early morning, weekend or evening work. Position requires ability to sit for extended periods as well as stand occasionally. Position requires use of computer, telephone, fax machine, copier and may require accessing locations by use of stairs.
Metropolitan Family Service is committed to building a diverse workforce to broaden and deepen our work in the communities we serve. We strongly urge candidates from communities of color, disability, LGBTQ+, linguistically diverse populations, older adults and military veterans to consider application to our positions. MFS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Position Title: Chief Advocacy and Equity Officer
Location: Belmont Office
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer
Dept/Program: Administration
FTE: 1.0 FTE (40 hours/week
Status: Exempt
Created: January 2021 Job Number: CAEO0104
General Description:
Metropolitan Family Service position descriptions are guidelines. They are not intended to identify every task that a member will be asked to complete. They are intended as a general outline of the essential service responsibilities and qualifications of the position.
Values:
- We use creative and proactive problem solving to build and sustain dynamic community-based programs and quality services.
- We believe in the potential of families and individuals at all life stages and focus on prevention, wellness, and independence.
- We build strong relationships by collaborating with our funders, partners, and highly trained volunteers, always striving for an extensive commitment to diversity.
General Function:
Reporting directly to the CEO, the Chief Advocacy and Equity Officer serves as a member of the Executive Management Team and is an active participant in making strategic decisions impacting MFS. The CAEO is responsible for executing broad-based advocacy leadership work at local, state and national levels. Builds on community work within MFS programs to support both the engagement of client voices in our advocacy efforts, as well as to support the recruitment of employees and volunteers to engage with MFS focusing on talent acquisition that represents communities that MFS serves.
The Chief Advocacy and Equity Officer is a position that has two primary functions that overlap. The intention of the position is to drive policies and practices that are mission synced with MFS, helping raise the voices and resilience of our clients, the impact of our workforce, and the engagement of our human service sector in critical systems change that creates a socially just society. As a member of the MFS executive team, the Chief Advocacy and Equity Officer will play a key role in coordinating existing and emerging practices and structures to support Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work at MFS, in partnership with the full Executive Team, and in concert with the full Management Team.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
CORE VALUES
Equity & Social Justice
- Values working in a multi-cultural, diverse environment
- Values and supports inclusion and program access for clients
- Supports agency goals for reducing disparity in outcomes for communities of color
- Adopts anti-racism approaches to services by understanding and acknowledging systemic and individual racism and privilege
Teamwork
- Ability to work independently and to collaborate with other MFS staff and volunteers and to model effective teamwork skills
- Ability to proactively problem-solve and resolve conflict
- Ability and commitment to continuous quality improvements and innovation of program
- Ability to effectively manage and maintain confidential and sensitive information
- Experience in program development and effective training techniques for staff
Collaboration
- Ability to work effectively in collaboration within all MFS departments, client groups, and the Board of Directors
- Ability to outreach to key policy and partner leadership and offer persuasive and clear proposals and considerations to support MFS direction
- Ability to understand and incorporate the “lived experience” perspective in approaching equity and advocacy efforts (as opposed to an academic or theoretic basis alone)
- Ability and commitment to work effectively within a team-dependent environment and provide leadership and support to staff to demonstrate effective team dynamics
- Ability to work and communicate effectively with a broad range of individuals and groups
- Ability to manage difference and conflict inherent in equity work in an inclusive framework that helps advance growth while providing a sense of safety and mutuality
Agency Governance and Management
- Experience in developing and managing budgets
- Advanced knowledge and competency to operate a personal computer
- Advanced competency in using Word, Excel and various database programs
- Possesses strong verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Possesses excellent time management and organizational skills
- Ability to effectively manage and maintain confidential and sensitive information
- Ability to recognize and manage critical incidents within department and/or mandatory reporting regulations and responsibilities
Representative Voice
Co-create a process with program teams and program participants that would provide ways for their advocacy concerns to be heard and delivered in ways that would result in positive action that is mission aligned. Move the participant work and message into advocacy efforts that is collaborative with our MFS Board DEI committee and consistent with the MFS Equity lens
Advocacy and Governmental Relations
- Keeps pulse of policy and practice implications of city/county/state/national efforts that includes MFS program participant voice, and ally work by MFS staff/volunteers
- Ability to leverage key contacts in order to align with and drive forward legislative action
- Leads strategic conversations to inform purpose, process and level of investment in important advocacy efforts pursued by MFS
- Coordinates efforts to raise the agency voice in the public arena as it serves the mission and community members
- Offer information to inform decisions on advocacy groups and broader collaborative efforts in partnership with the Equity and Diversity Committee (Staff), and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee (Board)
- Provides bridge to larger advocacy issues that directly related to stated client priorities
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Coordinates Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work initiated and supported by the MFS Management team which includes internal and external relationships, training and support and acts as coordinator for the Executive Team, providing support for each Executive Team member’s equity portfolio
- Coordinate Executive Team equity plan and process in order to drive changes identified in assessment, and current and future concerns and goals
- Provides avenues for activation of equity efforts through partnerships within and outside of MFS, in partnership with leaders across MFS, , Board DEI committee and internal Equity and Diversity Committee
- Supports continuous growth in anti-racist and inclusive practice by helping to streamline and better articulate expectations for every person who works for or serves MFS. Leads vision to integrate equity lens in staff/volunteer recruitment and orientation
- Works with current internal equity groups to identify and access training and coaching practices that support learning for each MFS staff and volunteer (including AmeriCorps members). Advises on external experts and consultants in this area as relevant and helpful
- Manages budget for DEI and helps to identify funding sources for additional growth in the future
Board Development and Support
- Support Board recruitment to identify strong community leaders from diverse communities, who have advocacy potential that serves MFS mission
- Staff the Board DEI Committee in partnership with CEO
Attends Board meetings as relevant to drive advocacy work at Board level, in partnership with CEO
- Provides requested updates on work area for inclusion in regular CEO Board reports, and is available to present at Board as needed
Overall Agency Management
- Supports the vision, values and direction and policies of the agency. Works on policies, plans and systems which put these into action within the agency. Actively supports and incorporates these into daily work
- Contributes to long and short term agency planning
- Supports the vision, values and direction and policies of the agency. Actively supports and incorporates these into daily work
- As part of the Executive team, plays a part in shaping the development, communication and implementation of effective growth strategies and processes to achieve goals and objectives in accordance with the strategic plan
- Collaborates with the Executive Management Team to develop and implement plans for operational infrastructure of systems, processes and personnel designated to accommodate the growth objectives of the agency
- Actively participate agency and program meetings, trainings and retreats
- Effectively and consistently markets the organization, communicating about MFS in a way that is both compelling and on message. Follow marketing guidelines in place when communicating with staff, volunteers, clients, partners, and potential supporters
- Comply with Metropolitan Family Service policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook
Impact
- Responsible for long-term strategic planning and implementing short-term organizational achievement strategy through Executive Team work plans. Involved in annual program planning, resource allocation and budget implementation process. Recommends policy and broad resource decisions to the CEO and Board of Directors for information and approval. Anticipates the future and responds to change and errors systematically using a quality management approach. Solves problems by taking risks and leading change with others. Responsible for maintaining a positive image and satisfaction with the agency and agency services. Considers the needs of diverse socio-economic, racial, ethnic and other cultural groups served
Ability to make clear, well reasoned decisions
- Participate in final review or collaboration on major, agency wide decisions. Participates in setting agency policies, develops alternatives, negotiates, exercises discretion
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:
Has proven track record in field
Demonstrated success in advocacy work as well as broad experience in supporting diversity, equity and inclusion work
Strong relationships within the communities in our service area
Experience with diverse recruitment and staff development
Up to date in the field of nonprofit development trends and best practice. Is current in their professional field, and has shown that they incorporate relevant new information in specific technical area of expertise
Experienced in managing teams and supervision
Has experience effectively leading work teams to produce cohesive work flow, and positive team morale
Has shown evidence of being able to embrace varying cultural experiences and communication difference when building diverse teams
Education and Experience Requirements:
Advanced degree and/or professional certification and 8-10 years of previous related experience with broad responsibilities in a majority of the following areas:
Advanced governmental advocacy skills, including:
Experience in launching and leading coalitions that support social determinants of health
Experience in driving internal initiatives within a system, with ability to work with multiple levels and roles in order to lead change
Leadership experience in Equity, Inclusion and Diversity work, with an emphasis on coaching towards organizational growth in this area
Fluency and ability to communicate effectively in languages in addition to English is beneficial
Other Requirements:
Personal transportation allowing for travel within the Portland Metropolitan area in a timely manner. If driving a personal vehicle must maintain a valid driver license for the state of residency, personal auto liability insurance coverage and a driving record permitting coverage under the agency auto liability policy.
MFS requires all employees and volunteers to complete a criminal background check which includes a fingerprint background check. We review the results of all background checks individually and consider all of the circumstances of any issues that arise in a background check during the hiring process.
Work Environment:
Work is normally performed in an office environment and/or at other locations as deemed necessary. May require occasional early morning, weekend or evening work. Position requires ability to sit for extended periods as well as stand occasionally. Position requires use of computer, telephone, fax machine, copier and may require accessing locations by use of stairs.
Metropolitan Family Service is committed to building a diverse workforce to broaden and deepen our work in the communities we serve. We strongly urge candidates from communities of color, disability, LGBTQ+, linguistically diverse populations, older adults and military veterans to consider application to our positions. MFS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.