Advocacy Manager

The American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska is looking for a full-time Advocacy Manager, who will support coalitions and mobilize community members to advance civil liberties for all people in Alaska. We are poised to undertake more comprehensive strategic advocacy, enhance our statewide presence, and address broader and deeper civil liberties concerns throughout Alaska; with a focus on organizing to protect and advance our voting rights and mobilize on key federal issues, the Advocacy Manager will help make this possible. The Advocacy Manager will report to the Advocacy Director and will require periodic travel throughout the state. This position is through December 2022, though it may be extended based on funding.

Who we are 

The ACLU of Alaska is the Alaska affiliate of the national ACLU, the nation’s oldest and largest protector of the Bill of Rights. We are Alaska’s premier nonprofit, nonpartisan civil rights and civil liberties advocate, litigating, educating, advocating and organizing to defend and expand Alaskans’ constitutional rights and individual freedoms. As part of the ACLU’s 100th anniversary in 2020, and in the wake of the Trump administration’s daily assaults on civil liberties, the ACLU of Alaska is embarking on its most ambitious advocacy yet, which includes eliminating discrimination against LGBTQ individuals, dramatically reforming the criminal legal system, paring back the national security state and strengthening the right to privacy, ensuring that all Americans can freely and easily vote, and defeating perennial attempts to restrict women’s right to safe and legal abortions.

·       Organizing: In coordination with other ACLU of Alaska staff, develop and implement organizing campaigns on ACLU of Alaska’s issue priorities, with a focus on voting rights and advocacy on federal issues, centering the voices and engagement of directly impacted people, and growing the ACLU of Alaska’s volunteer base. Develop relationships with the nationwide ACLU’s organizing team, for the purpose of creating a shared understanding of Alaska’s communities, our base of volunteers/supporters, and available organizing tools and capacity; proposing and collaborating on effective organizing projects; and advising and coordinating local actions and nationwide initiatives. Deploy online and offline organizing tactics as appropriate to engage a statewide audience and to maximize participation. Identify key civil liberties and civil rights issues, aligned with the ACLU of Alaska’s priorities, through active inquiry of community needs, interests, and visions.

·       Volunteer Recruitment and Management: Recruit, train, supervise, and strategically deploy ACLU of Alaska volunteers, members, and supporters as effective advocates for civil liberties. Work with the Advocacy Director and Operations Manager to develop and maintain the volunteer database as our organizing program grows.

·       Coalition Work: Work with coalition partners on shared goals for voting participation and election protection. Establish and deepen strategic partnerships with community-based organizations working in diverse communities across the state, and help build and participate in coalitions by fostering, strengthening, and nurturing alliances with potential partner organizations and targeted community groups. Work collaboratively with community leaders, allies, and ACLU of Alaska staff to execute large and effective community actions (community forums, rallies, trainings, etc.).

·       Public Education: Draft brief educational materials, flyers, and action alerts, in coordination and with guidance from the Communications department. Organize ACLU of Alaska outreach and educational activities at public events and forums, for the purpose of growing our volunteer base, and manage follow-up with attendees to encourage them to engage as volunteers and activists.

·       Other Responsibilities: Speak publicly on behalf of the ACLU of Alaska and help coordinate the speaking opportunities for other ACLU of Alaska staff. Prepare reports on engagement and outreach activities and outcomes. Assist with policy research, as needed. Other duties as assigned.

·       3–5 years progressively responsible experience in community organizing and/or social justice advocacy, preferably on issues that fall within the ACLU’s strategic priorities (relevant campus and/or volunteer experience is applicable);

·       Exceptional interpersonal skills, including an ability to form groups and navigate and resolve conflict in a manner that values and respects relationships with colleagues inside and outside the ACLU of Alaska;

·       Experience working in and with diverse coalitions preferred;

·       Experience leading teams; ability to listen, guide, and support people to achieve common goals;

·       Excellent organizational and administrative skills; keen attention to detail; ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects at various stages of completion with minimal direct supervision; good problem-solving skills and a positive, professional attitude with sound judgment, flexibility, determination, and good humor in a fast-paced, sometimes high-pressure office;

·       Ambitious, creative, and results-oriented initiative and a desire to learn, pitch-in, and anticipate new projects; ability to collaborate, including working closely with colleagues at the ACLU of Alaska and national ACLU, as well as with board members and volunteers;

·       An absolute commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards;

·       Willingness to work beyond 9 to 5 and to travel throughout Alaska as needed;

·       Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging; a commitment to combatting oppression at the personal and systemic levels; a personal approach that values the individual, and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability, and socioeconomic circumstance.

·       Experience with computers, Microsoft Office, social media, and database programs, including working knowledge and experience with VAN, desirable; and

·       Discretion and an absolute commitment to maintain the confidentiality of all ACLU matters.

This is an exempt, full-time, at-will position. The salary is $55,000, and the position includes excellent benefits, including health, dental, life, and disability insurance, a 401(k) plan with an employer-match, and generous vacation, sick, and holiday leave.

To be assured of consideration for the position, please apply before 4:30 p.m. AKST/8:30 p.m. ET on Friday, February 12, 2021. Applications received after that date will be considered if the position remains available. Please email PDFs of your letter of interest, résumé, and three professional references to jobs@acluak.org with the subject “Advocacy Manager.” Please state in your letter of interest how you learned of this position.