On Solid Ground Advocacy Coordinator Position Announced - October 7, 2015

On Solid Ground

On Solid Ground is a coalition of cross-sector organizations committed to a research-based approach to increasing housing stability and economic mobility for families with low incomes living in Massachusetts. Through this approach, the coalition aims to prevent and reduce homelessness, thereby improving housing, education, income, and health outcomes for families living in poverty.

The Coalition’s research proves that increasing stability and reducing family homelessness requires a four-pronged approach:

1. Systems Change to build a coordinated service delivery system across government departments. The coordinated system will support homelessness prevention, minimize cliff effects, and provide integrated case management services.
2. Housing: Expand the affordable housing stock and rental assistance vouchers for households with extremely low incomes; preserve existing subsidized affordable housing; and improve public housing.
3. Supportive Services: Invest in supportive services that provide a path to increased incomes and economic mobility for families with low incomes.
4. Track Progress. Collect and analyze data, tracking progress across state agencies and their nonprofit partners toward an agreed upon set of goals related to housing stability and economic mobility.

The On Solid Coalition aims to improve coordination between government agencies and programs to facilitate easier and consistent access to supports for families, helping families to gain stable footing get on a path towards housing stability and economic mobility. Key strategies include research, advocacy, and media.

The On Solid Ground Coordinator

This Coordinator position is a full-time contract position. Funding for this position is contingent upon the renewal/continuation of the project by the funder on a yearly basis. Salary is commensurate with experience.

The Coordinator will lead the coalition and be the essential link between the coalition policy leads (CHAPA and Homes for Families) and the Center for Social Policy’s (CSP) research team at UMass Boston (UMB).

• Plan, coordinate, and manage regular meetings and activities of the coalition;
• Formulate a shared policy agenda which is evidenced based and grounded in the shared vision;
• As needed, form and oversee working committees from the other coalition members to focus on particular goals informed by the On Solid Ground report;
• Expand the coalition by adding members in each of the sectors, deepening the coalition’s knowledge of each sector.
• Ensure the inclusion of current members and recruit new members to the coalition;
• Co-ordinate and monitor the progress of the coalition’s advocacy work and establish on-going relationships with government officials;
• Coordinate and support efforts to advocate for administrative, legislative, and regulatory changes to align eligibility where possible, improve coordination, and reduce cliff effects;
• Support research efforts to gather and compile quantitative and qualitative data to understand program eligibility requirements and cliff effects;
• Manage media relations and communications, including website, social media, and print media, including briefs, blogs and op-eds;
• Manage the pathway between the advocacy partners in the coalition and UMB CSP, ensuring that information and reflection flows back and forth easily.

Qualifications

• Experience managing large and complex inter-organizational teams or coalitions;
• Knowledge in poverty, housing, homelessness, workforce development, health care, or related field desired.
• Experience with administrative and legislative advocacy, including relationships with state policymakers;
• Experience planning and implementing a media campaign (print and online);
• Strong writing and communication skills, including writing op-eds and policy briefs;
• Experience conducting research and analyzing data preferred;
• Master’s degree in public policy, communications, economics or related field preferred, or equivalent experience.

To Apply

Candidates of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Please submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to Rachel Heller by Friday, November 6, 2015.

Application materials can be emailed to Rheller@chapa.org or mailed to 18 Tremont Street Suite 401 Boston, MA 02108.