Operations & Strategy Director

The DC Abortion Fund (DCAF) is a local abortion fund founded in 1995 that serves over 5,000 people annually who live or are seeking abortion care in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Since inception, our organization has grown tremendously, mostly notably in the size and function of our case management program, which is comprised of over 50 volunteers who rotate responsibility of four “warm lines” and coordinate care and funds to callers seeking abortions.

DCAF is in a period of significant transformation associated with bringing on our first paid staff members and building a collaborative vision for future abortion funding with other regional funds; through this, we are constantly striving towards reproductive justice values and centering our callers and communities most impacted by abortion care restrictions - Black, Indigenous, and brown folks and people with low or no incomes.

ABOUT THE ROLE

DCAF seeks an Operations & Strategy Director to join its first full time staff cohort. The Operations & Strategy Director will be responsible for overseeing the transformation of DCAF’s organizational policies, procedures, and operations. In partnership with other staff members, the board, and volunteers, they will work to refine DCAF’s overarching vision for the operational functions of the fund, including compliance, facilities, risk management, technology, and contract management. The Operations Director will lead system and process creation that prioritizes alignment with aspirational reproductive justice values, including trust, care, accountability, justice, inclusivity, and joy for DCAF callers, staff, and volunteers.

Core Responsibilities

1 - Organizational Transformation and Strategy (40%)

In collaboration with community partners, other abortion funds, and internal DCAF stakeholders, the Operations & Strategy Director will lead visioning, strategy, and implementation for how DCAF’s organizational structure can continue to transform from an emerging, historically volunteer-led and -run organization to a more values-focused and sustainable organization. This will include the following:

• Coordinating conversations among staff and between the staff and board to design and finalize initial organizational governance and decision-making models.
• In partnership with other DCAF staff and board, develop a strategy for long-term staffing and resourcing of DCAF operations and services; this may include assessment of DCAF operations, identifying areas where resources are needed, and creating a roadmap for addressing these needs through new staff roles, partnerships with other organizations, engagement with consultants, and more.
• Coordinate conversations between staff and board to build norms, processes, and a vision for how staff and board relationships (including the boards transition from working to advisory functions) will progress as DCAF transitions to having its first paid staff members.
• Partner with other staff and the board in the co-creation of inclusive and equitable systems, processes, practices, and structures that reflect aspirational organizational values and promote organizational sustainability; lead work around building processes for accountability and feedback within DCAF.

2 - Recruitment, Onboarding, and Staff Administration (20%)

• Lead recruitment of new staff members either directly or in partnership with consultants.
• Support the administrative onboarding of new staff members by ensuring they are set up with the equipment, resources, technology, and other accommodations needed.
• Create and maintain an updated staff handbook that documents key organizational information and procedures and support with other staff support, which may include support with onboarding, offboarding, and operations.
• Act as an HR and payroll liaison for all employees and volunteer staff (liaison with DCAF’s chosen Professional Employer Organization (PEO)) - primary tasks include timecard approval and benefits and payroll set-up support for new staff members.

3 - Fund Operations (Compliance, Contracts, Facilities) (15%)

• Serve as the point of contact for contract management; this includes organizing documentation of all DCAF contracts, routing contracts for legal review, and facilitating the signing and renewals of contracts as needed.
• Manage DCAF’s technology, facilities, and inventory of administrative supplies. Serve as the central point of contract for technology inventory and work with consultants and vendors to address fund needs.

4 - Organizational Leadership, Special Projects, and Initiatives (25%)

• Along with other staff members, represent DCAF in national and regional membership groups and programs, including the ongoing Operation Scale Up Program, managed by the National Network of Abortion Fund, in which DCAF is a pilot fund.
• Play an equal co-leadership role with other staff to develop a governance and decision-making model among staff and with the board.
• Be responsible for strategic decisions regarding organizational-level issues that fall under this role’s core responsibilities (e.g., human resources). This process includes:
• In partnership with the co-director and board of directors, develop a process for reporting to and working with the board. As this is the first time DCAF is bringing on paid staff, all parties will work together to develop and test processes that ensure staff have authority to make organizational decisions but are able to draw on the board for support, expertise, and guidance.
• Report obstacles and progress to DCAF board, providing brief updates at monthly board meetings and ad-hoc written questions as needed.
• Update professional knowledge by participating in educational opportunities, maintaining networks, and participating in professional organizations as relevant to your role.
• Perform duties required of all staff to support smooth internal operations such as submitting timely expense reports, reimbursement requests, and timesheets.
• Prepare and present reports and analysis to Board of Directors, and funders, when necessary.
• Other activities to support the operations and strategy of DCAF caller services and programs.

ABOUT YOU

Our ideal candidates will have a strong commitment to abortion access and full reproductive healthcare for all and personal and professional alignment with our aspirational values.

Due to the nature and context of our work, we deeply value candidates that either bring lived personal or professional experiences that align with the experiences of our callers, our community, our movement, or intersectional ecosystems (gender, economic, racial justice, etc.). This type of experience may come from direct exposure to the abortion funding or reproductive justice community or experience working with adjacent healthcare or social services sectors where candidates may be looking to transfer their skills in more progressive and supportive ways to clients, for example.

We are also seeking candidates that have a commitment to building an inclusive environment that prioritizes the wellbeing of all involved with our fund, and those committed to racial justice and working with diverse individuals.

Lastly, while no one candidate will embody all the qualifications listed below, the ideal candidates will also possess many of the following abilities, attributes, and experiences:

• 2+ years of experience leading a team, organization, or group through transformation or change.
• Excellent organization, time management, and detail orientation.
• Strong knowledge of best practices in organizational systems and processes.
• Demonstrated experience in long- and short-range program or project management.
• Proven experience with successful collaboration, particularly as part of a dynamic and integrated team.
• Flexible approach to work and ability to effectively manage ambiguity in a dynamic work environment.
• Self-motivated, resourceful, creative, and able to work a significant amount of autonomy.
• Open to giving and receiving feedback and committed to practicing this regularly.
• Strong project management skills, including ability to coordinate multiple projects, prioritize and say “no” as needed.
• Basic computer skills including reliable access to the internet and open to learning new technologies and software as needed.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Word or Google Suite.
• Commitment to an intersectional framework that includes, but is not limited to, gender, economic, and racial justice.
• Lives in DC metro community and the ability to attend in-person training and programming in DC (in situations that feel safe for staff members and other attendees).

COMPENSATION & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The salary for the Operations & Strategy Director is $90,000. We are in the process of developing a comprehensive benefits package that will be available for all full-time staff members. In the meantime, DCAF is committed to the wellbeing of our future employees and will provide a monthly stipend to cover employees’ healthcare, dental, and vision benefits until the employer plan is available.

COVID-19 Policy:  Work will be entirely remote for the time being. After it is safe to work in person again, there will be flexibility for remote work, though it is expected for this person to live in the DC metro area.

 HOW TO APPLY

For more information about DC Abortion Fund, please visit: dcabortionfund.org

Candidates may submit their cover letter and resume via NPAG’s website. We encourage candidates to share about how they think their lived experiences and perspectives would make them a great fit for the Director role in their cover letter.

The priority deadline for this position is Monday, December 6, 2021.

After that date, applicants will be evaluated on an as needed rolling basis.

DC Abortion Fund is an equal opportunity employer and encourages individuals of all ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds to apply for this position. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization to reflect the rich and varied identities of the communities and people that we serve.