AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) mobilizes communities to create equity and justice for people living with and vulnerable to HIV or chronic conditions. We envision a world in which people living with HIV or chronic conditions will thrive, and there will be no new HIV cases. Our work focuses on advancing health equity, preventing new cases of HIV, serving as a collaboration and knowledge center, being a bold voice for change and strengthening our organizational excellence.
Working under the supervision of the Director of Government Relations, and in collaboration with policy and advocacy staff, the Manager of Community Engagement & Education is directly responsible for building new and strengthening existing relationships with AFC’s key constituencies across Illinois, including people living with and vulnerable to HIV, health and social service providers, and community leaders.
The Manager of Community Engagement & Education will develop and implement plans to educate and build advocacy capacity among AFC’s constituents and stakeholders on HIV-related public policy and legislative issues, lead mobilization efforts to influence public policy, expand AFC’s network of grassroots advocates, and provide other supportive functions as needed. The Manager of Community Engagement & Education is responsible for supporting the advancement of sound HIV public policy and must demonstrate a commitment to social justice.
We strongly encourage people with personal experience with HIV, people of color, and queer, trans, and gender non-conforming folks to apply for this position.
The salary range for this role is $45,000 to $55,000 annually.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Community Engagement
- Develop and implement community engagement plans and strategies to ensure involvement of people living with and most impacted by HIV in all aspects of AFC’s advocacy and policy work, including but not limited to development of campaigns and community engagement tactics that advance AFC’s policy and legislative objectives
- Identify, mobilize, and build relationships with key AFC constituencies across Illinois with special attention and sensitivity to highly vulnerable, stigmatized, and marginalized populations including (and not limited to) people living with HIV and communities of color
- In collaboration with AFC policy and advocacy staff, identify, cultivate relationships with and mobilize civic leaders and organizations in key areas of the state through coordinated legislative and educational campaigns
- Work in partnership with Program Development to identify and apply for funds to support community engagement and advocacy related projects
- Collaborate with Policy Communications Specialist to develop and implement a plan to grow AFC’s online advocacy network members and their responsiveness to action requests
- Deepen relationships with IL-ASAP (Illinois Alliance for Sound AIDS Policy) members and grow membership in Chicago and across the state, prioritizing outreach and engagement of community members from AFC’s Priority Populations.
Community Education
- Under the direction of the Director of Government Relations, develop, implement, and monitor state-based mobilization and education campaigns on AFC’s legislative and policy goals
- Increase capacity of agencies and individuals to understand relevant policy issues and effectively communicate about such issues to decision-makers through developing, organizing, and facilitating advocacy trainings, workshops, and technical assistance
- Liaison as a representative of AFC to community leaders and organizations to educate them on important policy issues and help maintain AFC’s ongoing coalition and campaign work
- Create and conduct educational presentations for our communities on a variety of topics including relevant and current HIV public policy issues, and other topics as assigned
Project Management
- Manage, train, and closely work with IL-ASAP members to build their leadership and skills in communications, advocacy, legislative outreach, and knowledge on important HIV related policy issues. Manage the onboarding process of new members, with emphasis on recruitment outside of Cook County
- Organize several large and small annual policy/advocacy community events, including but not limited to Advocacy Days and AIDS Run & Walk Chicago policy presence.
- With guidance from AFC policy and advocacy staff, develop, set, and achieve annual Advocacy Day goals and objectives
Other
- Assist department leadership on other project-related matters
- Assist with agency-wide activities as directed, including Annual Meeting, AIDS Run & Walk Chicago, and others
- Maintain and update job knowledge by participating in training and educational opportunities, reading professional publications, and participating in professional organizations
- Protect organization's value and manage risk by keeping information confidential
- Perform other duties as assigned.
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in policy-related field and minimum two (2) or more years’ experience with community engagement, education, and mobilization in HIV health care
OR
- 5 years of applicable work experience with community engagement, education, and mobilization in HIV health care
- Willingness and ability to travel throughout Chicago and Illinois
Preferred Qualifications
- Event planning, volunteer coordination and program management experience preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Experience working with diverse populations, especially communities of color and the LGBTQ+ community, and sensitivity to issues concerning HIV/AIDS and all disabilities required.
- Strong attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to provide efficient, quality service to both internal and external partners.
- Exceptional verbal and written communication and active listening skills.
- Strong time management skills along with problem solving skills and ability to manage multiple projects concurrently, establish workload priorities, and meet deadlines.
- Solid interpersonal skills along with the ability and willingness to respect and value the differences and perceptions of different groups/individuals.
- Demonstrated fluency in word processing, spreadsheets, and database entry required.
REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
- Valid Driver’s License, and the physical ability to operate a car.
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Ability to travel statewide and locally up to 50% of the year.
The work environment is representative of that found in a general office environment. Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (up to 10 pounds.) Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation and on the telephone.
https://aids-foundation-chicago.breezy.hr/p/c25fb064b3bb-community-engagement-education-manager?state=published