Housing Campaign Coordinator; Washington, DC; National Low Income Housing Coalition

[Joseph Lindstrom]

NLIHC Seeks A Housing Campaign Coordinator

NLIHC is accepting applications for a National Multisector Campaign Coordinator to support the implementation of a long-term multisector affordable housing campaign.

Background: After a year-long planning process and with the input from education, health, children’s, anti-poverty, faith-based, and civil rights organizations, NLIHC, the National Alliance to End Homelessness, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Make Room, and Children’s HealthWatch launched a dynamic, long-term, multi-sector Campaign to meet the housing needs of the lowest income people in America.

This is a critical moment in federal housing policy. Support for addressing rental affordability has gained momentum over the past several years.  Potentially powerful new constituencies - in the health care, education, veterans, aging, child welfare, child poverty, faith, and other communities - are recognizing the impact the inability to afford decent housing has on the wellbeing of the people they serve. At the same time, there are unprecedented threats to federal housing assistance. 

In the face of these opportunities and challenges, the multisector housing campaign will strive to address the entrenched shortage of housing affordable for the lowest income people. Strengthened and expanded coalitions nationally and in priority states will pursue a coordinated strategy to educate policymakers, the media, and the public about the problem and its practical solutions and the impact the solutions will have on the quality of life not only of low income people, but of the country more broadly.  

The Campaign will deploy policy analysis and development, communications, and informing to impact opinion leaders and policymakers. It will be staffed and operated out of NLIHC. The Campaign’s steering committee includes leaders in education, health, civil rights, poverty alleviation, children’s issues, faith communities, disability rights, and other others. The goals of the Campaign are to advance federal policy solutions that:

1. Fill the gap between rents and incomes for the most vulnerable households through a variety of rental assistance strategies.
2. Prevent destabilizing housing crises through the creation of flexible short-term tools for low income homeowners and renters.
3. Create more housing affordable to the lowest income people through deeply income-targeted production programs like the national Housing Trust Fund.  
4. Defend against funding cuts and harmful policy changes in existing low income housing programs.

A key part of the Campaign will be to develop and nurture an infrastructure of state partners that promotes the Campaign’s federal substantive objectives. Seven state-based organizations have received grants to enable them to build broad and diverse state-based coalitions. These coalitions will lead state-based efforts supportive of the Campaign, including effective communications and engagement activities. The efforts by the initial seven grantees will serve as models that can be replicated in other states as additional funding becomes available. The work of the state partners will be supported by the national Campaign, with a significant role played by the Campaign Coordinator. 

The Job Description:  The Campaign Coordinator will report to the Campaign Director. S/he will have the following responsibilities:

• Support the Campaign Director in building and maintaining a cooperative, productive coalition structure, including close coordination with the Campaign’s partners, the Campaign Steering Committee, and a larger network of cooperating organizations;
• Support the Campaign director in carrying out all aspects of the Campaign plan, including helping to develop and implement effective communications, outreach and advocacy plans;
• Working closely with the NLIHC field team, provide and administer grants to state partners and ensure effective partner grants management: ensure grantees are carrying out the terms of their grants and are effectively and appropriately using the grants provided to achieve intended outcomes;
• Ensure the effective integration of a state-based Campaign efforts into national efforts;

• Ensure that state-based coalitions in grant-receiving states have the materials, tools, and other supports needed to function as effectively as possible;
• Organize webinars and other training and technical assistance for key coalition members engaged in the campaign in all states;
• In partnership with NLIHC’s field team, stay in close contact with key organizational leaders in grant-receiving and other states to ensure that the Campaign and state efforts are best synchronized;
• Review plans and reports about state coalition efforts in grant-receiving states to determine ongoing effectiveness;
• Develop and implement a plan to ensure that state and local leaders are effectively engaged with and apprised of Campaign-related developments;
• Contribute to periodic reports to the Campaign’s partners, Steering Committee members, donors, and relevant others about the Campaign’s progress; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications for the Job: To receive serious consideration for this position, an applicant should have the following attributes and background:

• A bachelor’s degree (master’s degree preferred).
• A minimum of five years previous experience working in, coordinating, or leading efforts on one or more complex, multi-faceted projects or campaigns;
• A demonstrated, clear commitment to the alleviation of poverty (affordable housing experience a plus);
• Experience successfully building partnerships among organizations;
• Demonstrated excellence in organizational skills;
• Excellent communications skills, both orally and in writing;
• Experience in grant management and in reporting to donors, a plus; and
• An ability to work in a diverse, fast-paced environment.

Compensation and Benefits:  An equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, NLIHC offers a competitive salary and benefits package. This is a full-time position located in Washington, DC. 

Status:  Full-time (exempt)

Reports To:  Multisector Housing Campaign Director

Job Application Process:  Candidates for this position should send a cover letter, resume, and two writing samples to: Paul Kealey, Chief Operating Officer, NLIHC, 1000 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20005 at pke...@nlihc.org. The cover letter should describe the candidate’s interest in, and relevant experiences for, the position, and it should include salary requirements and the names and contact information for at least three people serving as candidate references. (NLIHC will not contact references before consulting with the candidate.)