Coalitions Coordinator - NSPN

Summary: Seeking a dedicated and ambitious individual who is committed to supporting the next generation of leaders in science policy. The successful candidate will guide and lead National Science Policy Network’s programs involving groups and coalitions, including “Science on the Ballot” and our science writing coalitions.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:

The mission of the National Science Policy Network (NSPN) is to engage early career STEM professionals in policy-making by fostering community, training the next generation of leaders, and empowering advocates for the role of science in society. National Science Policy Network is an independent operating project of the nonprofit umbrella organization, Multiplier, a nationally recognized nonprofit with a portfolio of innovative initiatives that conserve and protect a sustainable and resilient world.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Coalitions Coordinator will help lead and support collaborative group programming for combined action across NSPN members and partners. In particular, they will lead NSPN’s Science on the Ballot (formerly Science Debate) program and support development of other coalitions such as NSPN’s writing groups, which encourage team-based writing and collaboration around science policy ideas. The Science on the Ballot program was originally started as its own non-profit with the mission of engaging candidates on scientific issues as part of the election cycle. The Coalitions Coordinator will oversee recruitment of state coalitions for this program and will lead training and development of these volunteers to successfully engage campaigns, candidates, the public, and the media on science policy issues. The program will strongly feature grassroots organizing, collaboration, coalition building, and science/policy communications as well as media and voter outreach.

In addition to the Science on the Ballot program, the Coalitions Coordinator will support the development and growth of NSPN’s science policy writing groups. These groups of NSPN members will form on 3 month cycles to collaborate on science policy writing ideas, practice writing, editing, and peer reviewing, with the ultimate goal of having their work published to impact policy. The coordinator will support the Director of Programming in growing other coalitions based programs such as writing groups, with the potential to take on a more active role in the future.

The Coalitions Coordinator will have the opportunity to pursue their own professional development opportunities through NSPN, as well as meet and collaborate regularly with the programs team and other staff and contributors from our leadership council.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

General:

• Cultivate and sustain relationships with community members, community partners and institutions, and key stakeholders.
• Develop and carry out community-based asset mapping efforts.
• Support consensus building among community members, project partners, and stakeholders.
• Develop communications strategies in collaboration with NSPN’s communications staff to promote program opportunities and successes.

Science on the Ballot:

• Recruit, engage, and train state coalition volunteers and volunteer leaders from diverse communities.
• Gathers information about each volunteer's skills, availability, and goals; matches volunteers with appropriate opportunities based on this data.
• Schedules, coordinates, and assigns relevant professional development opportunities to volunteers looking to grow skills.
• Regularly communicates with volunteers to provide support and solicit feedback.
• Maintains files, records, applications, and other data concerning state coalitions and volunteers.
• Drafts, maintains, and publishes guidelines, best practices, and procedures for state coalitions.
• Evaluate program goals, timelines, and expectations, providing support when growth is needed.
• Facilitate training opportunities in the areas of coalition building, candidate/campaign engagement, and media/public communications in collaboration with partner organizations and NSPN’s communications team.
• Develop resource lists and databases to support state coalition outreach efforts to locally aligned organizations and candidates.
• Revise and refine handbooks and toolkits for state coalitions to help support their goals.
• Review and provide feedback on state coalition questions to ensure nonpartisanship as well as to encourage depth and variety of responses.
• Oversee budget requests for state coalition advertising and outreach.
• Provide resources and training on direct voter outreach for coalitions to promote their work among voters.
• Solicit suggested questions from the public to develop a list of presidential candidate questions on science policy issues in collaboration with partner organizations.
• Research and utilize online organizing tools to maintain engagement.

Writing Groups:

• Recruit and organize writing groups based on topic areas, level of engagement, and skill.
• Organize speakers, resources, and other resources for formal and informal events; liaise with partner organizations as needed.
• Develop and maintain a database of publishing outlets mapped to different areas of interest.
• Coordinate meetings, events and activities aligned to program milestones.
• Work collaboratively with organizations providing resources, outreach, and education.
• Coordinate peer editor schedules and provide support as needed to build successful writing skills.

Program / Project Development and improvement:

• Create and distribute program assessment and surveys to identify skill and growth areas.
• Document standard operating procedures and best practices for each program with input from staff and program participants.
• Lead the collection of feedback and other program evaluations processes, with support and guidance from NSPN leadership.

QUALIFICATIONS:

We welcome people with diverse identities, experiences and perspectives to apply, strong candidates will possess many, but not necessarily all, of the following:

• First and foremost, a passion for NSPN’s mission and vision and enthusiasm for science policy and advocacy.
• Experience or enthusiasm for engaging and sustaining strong partnerships within communities, ideally with experience in grassroots/community organizing.
• Demonstrated interest or experience in reaching out to media to promote engagement
• Experience in communicating complex ideas to diverse audiences.
• Ability to effectively and enthusiastically represent NSPN to the public and various stakeholders.
• Commitment to NSPN’s value of centering equity, inclusion and justice in all of our work.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong leadership skills with ability to motivate and encourage others.
• Ability to delegate tasks, support others, and take instruction, and awareness of when it’s best to do one versus the other.
• Flexibility and comfort with experimentation, iteration, and change as part of a young, dynamic, and growing organization.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail; adept at managing many moving pieces.
• Ability to work independently and highly motivated to tackle projects with minimal direction.
• Ability to effectively prioritize time and tasks and navigate challenges and obstacles as they arise.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with demonstrated skill in tailoring language to a range of platforms and audiences in creative and meaningful ways, including major social media platforms.
• Thoughtful, clear, and concise communication with colleagues.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• Familiarity and comfort with or an eager willingness to learn about online collaboration and communication platforms such as Google Apps, Slack, Zoom, and Airtable.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

The position may require some short-distance travel, and attendance of in-person recruiting and/or networking events when events are held within driving distance of the successful candidate’s place of residence.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

Multiplier and the National Science Policy Network celebrate diversity and are committed to building teams and partnerships that represent a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Multiplier and NSPN are also committed to providing an environment of mutual respect that is free from discrimination and harassment. Multiplier and NSPN prohibit discrimination in its governance, programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, marital status, amnesty, status as a covered veteran, because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from public assistance, or for any other non-merit based factor.