Community Organizer

Overview Church World Service (CWS) is seeking a passionate and community-centered Community Organizer to help build the collective power of refugees, immigrants, asylum seekers, and allied communities across Harrisonburg and surrounding areas in Virginia. This position is responsible for developing grassroots leadership, strengthening civic participation and advancing local, state, and federal policies that create more welcoming communities. About CWS Imagine waking up every morning with the chance to change someone's life. Imagine knowing your efforts will benefit both your career and our neighbors around the world. At CWS, our team knows they are making a difference every day. Whether you're in our U.S.-based offices supporting refugees, asylees or unaccompanied children ... implementing hygiene initiatives in Cambodia or rebuilding projects in Central America ... or even connecting remotely from your home on fundraising campaigns, grant reports, or critical communications - you have the opportunity to work towards a world where everyone has food, a voice and a safe place to call home. Purpose The Community Organizer will work collaboratively and cultivate relationships with refugee and immigrant leaders, refugee resettlement agencies, faith communities, immigrants’ rights groups, civic engagement organizations and other partners to increase refugee and immigrant civic participation and build a sustainable organizing infrastructure in target areas of Harrisonburg and surrounding areas in Virginia.  Through leadership development, public education, coalition building, issue campaigns, and advocacy, the organizer will support impacted communities in shaping public narrative and influencing policy decisions that affect their lives. This is a semi-remote position based out of the CWS Virginia office and requires frequent travel throughout Harrisonburg and surrounding areas or Washington DC, including occasional evening and weekend work.  Responsibilities Key Responsibilities Recruit, develop and support a diverse network of active refugee and immigrant leaders with a core leadership team committed to advancing community-led social change. Conduct regular one-on-one relational meetings to identify emerging leaders, build trust sustain relationships with refugee and immigrant leaders Maintain and engage a leadership base through in-person engagement and virtual organizing platforms . Organize and facilitate events and meetings that promote the welcome of refugees and immigrants. Request and coordinate meetings and events with policy makers involved in discussions about refugee resettlement and/or immigration issues at the national, state, and local levels of government, in partnership with the CWS Policy unit of the Advocacy team. Work with refugee and community leaders, resettlement office staff, volunteers, supporters, faith communities and allies to develop informed policy goals, objectives, and priorities to share with national, state, and local policy makers, in partnership with the CWS Policy unit and Advocacy team Connect and establish relationships with faith-based organizations, faith communities and immigrants’ rights organizations and collaborate around shared goals. Coordinate and facilitate leadership development trainings focused on community organizing, public narrative and storytelling, advocacy, , voter registration, civic engagement, media outreach, messaging, “Know Your Rights” and campaign strategy Coordinate voter registration and nonpartisan civic engagement activities, particularly during election cycles, including naturalization ceremonies and community events. Increase civic participation among newly naturalized citizens and immigrant communities through education and leadership opportunities. Assist in connecting refugee leaders with education efforts among ally communities in the surrounding rural and suburban regions. Participate in coalition and issue campaign meetings on behalf of CWS, as appropriate. Participate with state civic engagement tables Work with CWS communications staff to elevate refugee and immigrant voices, increase visibility and awareness of support for refugee resettlement through traditional and social media. Help direct issue identification and strategy campaign management for welcoming policies at the local and state level. Support refugee and immigrant leaders in participating in advocacy meetings, legislative visits, public testimony, and engaging media outlets. Collaborate with local immigrant led faith communities and ally faith communities around community protection efforts. Travel to target areas to meet and strategize with community members about welcoming refugees. Track campaign progress, leadership engagement, and advocacy outcomes using organizational databases and reporting systems. Participate in CWS meetings, trainings, retreats, and organizational initiatives. Support cross-departmental collaboration across the Immigration & Refugee Program and Advocacy Team. Qualifications Education and Certifications Bachelor’s degree in a social science field, certification in related fields or equivalent experience and demonstrated success organizing alongside refugee or immigrant populations in lieu of degree. Experience Minimum 3 years of experience in community organizing, advocacy, civic engagement, leadership development, or related work. Experience working with immigrant or refugee communities at the grassroots level.  Understanding of and commitment to social change through building the capacity and power of refugees and community leaders. Experience conducting training and developing resources, planning events, and working with partners from diverse backgrounds, faith traditions, immigrant and human rights organizations, and service providers.  Experience working collaboratively across diverse coalitions and community partnerships. demonstrated abilit