Summary
The Community Engagement Specialist (CES) is a relationship oriented, field-based position that has a primary objective to develop, build and support community partnerships and connections that advance the implementation of the Hurricane Harvey Recovery and stated outcomes The CES is charged with giving the direction for community connections in Houston, TX, that represent a broad cross-sector of the community and connect families, community and schools.
The CES is responsible for coordinating and facilitating the Hurricane Harvey Response community-engagement process including supporting the community in conducting a comprehensive community assessment, development of partnership mappings, building community capacity and informing the resource plan.
The CES works collaboratively with the Hurricane Harvey Program national staff, state team, and site based staff to ensure seamless program operations at the community level.
The CES serves as a Save the Children ambassador acting as a representative in strategic efforts in the community to expand and support the long-term growth and sustainability of the US Programs strategy.
What You'll Be Doing (Essential Duties)
Community Building and Engagement: Engage community and partners including parents, libraries, early childhood education services, schools, not-for-profit organizations, local government, funders, businesses, faith-based organizations, public officials, other key constituents and non-affiliated community members in the implementation of the project through the development of a community collaborative. Ensure that the needs of culturally and economically diverse communities are met and identify and remove barriers to participation. 40%
Facilitation and Convening: Attend meetings and maintain ongoing communications with community stakeholders to achieve community support and engagement in the project, executing all elements of the community engagement process including community engagement programming and events. Use training, one-on-one interviews, and small group meetings and other techniques to facilitate engagement Implement meetings, surveys, and other vehicles for effective two-way communication with the community. 25%
Internal Program Coordination: Successfully integrate community engagement work into all elements of other USP work within a community and collaborate with Hurricane Harvey Program staff to accomplish this task. 10%
External Partnerships: Identify, initiate, and deepen relationships with various community stakeholders. Identify funding and resource partnership opportunities to enhance each local initiative: Seek opportunities to share knowledge and experience through external presentations, training and collaborations. Attend community meetings, provide information about community engagement, and advocate for participation. Attend other programs and events relevant to each local initiative, community interests and community activities. Identify other relevant opportunities that will assist in realizing the stated goals. 15%
Data Collection & Management: Maintain community engagement databases to facilitate efficient and effective contact and relationship management. Assist in developing and collecting surveys and implement other methods of evaluating and analyzing progress toward goals. Provide needed data points for report writing upon request. 10%
Required Qualifications
- High School Diploma
- Minimum 3-5 years' experience in volunteer management, social impact design, community relations, project management, community organizing or other related areas required;
- Valid driver's license also required.
- This position requires a broad skill set centered on cultural awareness, human development and group dynamics including:
- The ability to build trust and assist people in managing change;
- The ability to foster an environment where culturally diverse people can work together cooperatively and effectively to meet common goals;
- The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across cultural differences with public entities, businesses, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations and the general public;
- Skill at influencing and motivating people to be involved without use of authority or force;
- Skill at nurturing individuality and independent thinking amongst group members while simultaneously building consensus in working toward common goals;
- Thorough knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques related to designing effective engagement strategies, conflict management, systems thinking, collaborative decision making, consensus building, and meeting facilitation that fosters accountability and asset based approaches are key skill sets needed for this role.
- Knowledge of project management principles, practices, techniques and tools.
- Must have strong oral and written English language communications skills and the capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in challenging working environment.
- Strong organizational skills with experience in scheduling and event/training coordination.
- Demonstrated ability to present information and respond to questions from groups or individuals.
- Demonstrated ability to create and produce clear, concise paper and electronic documents.
- Demonstrated to work effectively with diverse levels of individuals and coordinate with many different agencies/organizations.
- Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities.
- Strong ability to multi-task multiple projects at the same time.
- Excellent attention to detail, flexible and adaptable to change.
- Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
- Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in standardized situations.
- Demonstrated knowledge and skill in using Microsoft Office Suite
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in human services, psychology, education, public health, social impact design, social work, public policy or related field preferred.
What's In It for You?
- Meaningful work, with a knowledge that you are changing the lives of children all around the world
- A family friendly work environment
- Highly collaborative and innovative teams
- Generous paid vacation days, holidays, family leave days, and sick time
- Healthcare plans including medical, dental, and life insurance
- Retirement savings account with matching company contributions
- Structured and formalized management development and coaching programs for mid and senior level managers
- Extensive e-learning opportunities on a variety of topics offered through our affiliation with several prestigious universities and with the American Management Association, as well as language learning opportunities
Save the Children invests in childhood: every day, in times of crisis and for our future. In the United States and around the world, we are dedicated to ensuring every child has the best chance for success. Our pioneering programs give children a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. Our advocacy efforts provide a voice for children who cannot speak for themselves. As the leading expert on children, we inspire and achieve lasting impact for millions of the world's most vulnerable girls and boys. By transforming children's lives now, we change the course of their future and ours.
Save the Children is committed to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for the children it serves and helping protect the children with whom Save the Children is in contact. All Save the Children representatives are explicitly prohibited from engaging in any activity that may result in any kind of child abuse. In addition, it is Save the Children's policy to create and proactively maintain an environment that aims to prevent and deter any actions and omissions, whether deliberate or inadvertent, that place children at the risk of any kind of child abuse. All our representatives are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with this commitment and obligation. Any violations of this policy will be treated as a serious issue.
We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Save the Children complies with all applicable laws.