Director of Advocacy and Neighborhood Engagement

The Director of Advocacy and Neighborhood Engagement is a new position, responsible for forming and sustaining trustworthy and meaningful partnerships with older people and the full diversity of Chicago organizations that touch on H.O.M.E.'s mission. A highly relational and skilled organizer can further H.O.M.E.'s identity as an organization that improves individual lives and makes systems more just. The individual in this position also staffs H.O.M.E.'s Community Advisory Council of seniors, and leads H.O.M.E.'s advocacy efforts, notably Fix Our Homes Illinois, in service of H.O.M.E.'s vision: a Chicago in which people of all ages live together in a way that supports older adults' connection to the larger community. H.O.M.E. offers the individual in this position workplace flexibility in balancing remote and in-office work.

Responsibilities:

1. Fix Our Homes Illinois (35%)
a. Help coordinate and maintain multi-group, multi-ethnic Steering Committee of the coalition to set parameters of the campaign.
b. Help recruit new members and allies statewide.
c. Co-convene regular coalition meetings and promptly send out minutes and action steps.
d. Oversee writing and communications, including eblasts, social media, and web pages, of campaign.
e. Ensure that older people of diverse backgrounds have a central role in the leadership and execution of the campaign.
f. Coordinate and oversee campaign activities, e.g., creating an inventory of home repair and modification programs, engaging in public education about the need for home repair assistance throughout the state.
g. Lead, with the Policy Committee of the coalition, in the drafting of and advocating for statewide legislation.
h. Pursue other advocacy opportunities (administrative changes, private investment, workforce development and more) to expand home repair assistance at the state and city levels.

2. Additional Advocacy (15%)
a. Represent H.O.M.E in local, regional, or national coalitions to promote H.O.M.E.'s mission and vision (e.g., Chicago Senior Bill of Rights, Housing Action Illinois, Coalition for Home Repair, Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance).
b. Create opportunities for older people to speak out and advocate for good, safe, healthy housing and related supports.
c. Lead calls to action for supporters, donors, partners, volunteers, and older people served on related H.O.M.E. focus areas.
d. Lead the creation and execution of H.O.M.E.'s annual Policy Advocacy and Neighborhood Engagement agenda.
e. Initiate policy advocacy campaigns, as approved by the Executive Director, Community Advisory Council, or the Board of Directors.
f. Provide testimony as needed to legislators and regulators on public policy areas touching on H.O.M.E., such as affordable housing.
g. Seek opportunities in Chicago to meaningfully support existing advocacy efforts related to older people or housing, and explore areas where H.O.M.E. might initiate advocacy.

3. Community Advisory Council (15%)
a. Assist H.O.M.E.'s Community Advisory Council (composed of older residents of H.O.M.E.'s buildings and older people served by H.O.M.E.'s Community Programs) and the Board Liaison to the CAC to execute their events, including the "Let's Kick It!" Senior Summit, and priorities.
b. Assist with recruitment of new CAC members.
c. Convene CAC bi-monthly.
d. Partner with youth- and young adult-focused organizations to eventually coalesce with the CAC as intergenerational.

4. Community Outreach and Engagement (20%)
a. Publicize H.O.M.E.'s programs to diverse groups throughout Chicago.
b. Engage specifically with H.O.M.E.'s Upkeep & Repair clients to learn what other supports they need to remain independent and retain their homes.
c. Help gather homeowner stories to include as part of Advocacy efforts.
d. Collaborate with Native American and Indigenous groups, as well as Black, Latine, Asian, LGBTQ+, disability, and other groups as part of H.O.M.E.'s implementation of its Land Acknowledgement and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice commitment.
e. Engage in partnerships specifically on the south and west sides around home repair, including workforce development.
f. Help recruit new Board, staff, and volunteers of diverse backgrounds to H.O.M.E.
g. Assist where needed with fundraising to support H.O.M.E.'s emerging advocacy work.

5. Education and Research (10%)
a. Track cutting-edge research and emerging trends locally, nationally and internationally around aging in place, aging in community, and intergenerational housing as it pertains to low-income older people, and publicize on H.O.M.E.'s web site or to partners.
b. Educate groups of all sizes on H.O.M.E.'s intergenerational housing, community programs, trends, and advocacy goals.
c. Assist in developing annual training sessions for Board and staff on advocacy topics.

6. Administration (5%)
a. Draft annual budget for Advocacy and Neighborhood Engagement.
b. Serve on the DEI Committee of H.O.M.E.
c. Ensure timekeeping, record keeping, other administrative requirements of the position.
d. Perform other duties as required.

Requirements:
Skills:
1. Effective management and team building skills; able to build rapport, align staff to shared goals, and create accountability.
2. Excellent written and verbal skills and interpersonal skills. Able to interact effectively with a broad range of people (e.g., grassroots to institutional leadership).
3. Takes initiative and is self-directed but informed by program needs and mission.
4. Ability to prioritize and multi-task.
5. Ability to work with seniors, community partners, and volunteers.
6. Patience, compassion and the ability to listen.
7. Ability to solve problems and identify and utilized resources.
8. Willingness to pitch in and do what needs to be done.
9. Holds and is able to live out H.O.M.E. values; values are consistent and congruent across professional and personal life.
10. Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion.
11. Passion for the mission and vision of H.O.M.E.

Experience/Education:
1. Bachelor's degree.
2. At least 3 years in a senior role in one of the following fields: aging, social services, housing, community organizing, or policy advocacy.
3. Strong knowledge, community connections, and experience in working with Chicagoland communities most impacted by housing challenges for older people including Black, Indigenous, Latine, Arab, Asian, LGBTQ+, or people living with disabilities.
4. Grassroots advocacy/community organizing/coalition building or similar experience.
5. Significant demonstrated professional experience in writing, speaking publicly, and delivering high impact presentations.
6. Microsoft Office proficiency.

Work Environment:
1. Position requires frequent and regular computer and phone use.
2. Workplace is a smoke- and drug-free environment.
3. Intermittent travel to off-site locations will be required.
4. Occasional night and weekend work may be asked of H.O.M.E. staff.
5. H.O.M.E. is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions at H.O.M.E. are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, ethnicity, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, citizenship status, military service, marital status, order of protection status, handicap, disability (including HIV/AIDS), or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

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