ABOUT US:

Illinois Action for Children (“IAFC”), a local, state, and national leader in the early childhood care and education sector for over 50 years. IAFC programs, services, and advocacy improve learning and life outcomes for children and families, including reducing the effects of poverty. IAFC works to ensure that every child in Illinois – particularly those in need – have access to the necessary resources to succeed in school and in life.

Along with our mission, IAFC is committed to building and maintaining a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist culture. We are dedicated to this pledge through our hiring practices and our focus on creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into our way of working and servicing our staff and clients. IAFC staff represent a wide diversity of racial, socio-economic, gender, religious, and national identities. We welcome all applicants who share our mission and vision to join us in our essential work.

SUMMARY:

The Advocacy & Engagement Associate is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to engage families, providers, community members, and partners to amplify Illinois Action for Children (IAFC)’s reach statewide and develop early childhood champions. Working under the direction of the Assistant Director of Advocacy, the Associate will use a variety of communication tools and platforms to grow public awareness of early childhood education and care issues and build advocacy capacity among IAFC’s various audiences and constituencies. In addition, the Associate will support engagement and communication efforts related to research projects and studies, including outreach to participants and dissemination of findings, in collaboration with IAFC’s Research team. The Associate will also represent IAFC with external partners, collaborators, and groups and work cross-divisionally within IAFC on communication and marketing efforts.

The Advocacy & Engagement Associate is expected to promote and adhere to the workplace core capabilities of: accountability, customer focus, continuous quality improvement (CQI), communication, competent people and clear priorities. All work to be completed with minimum supervision and in accordance with organizational standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to the following. The organization reserves the right to add to, delete, change, or modify the essential duties and responsibilities at any time.

1. Collaborate with Public Policy, Research & Advocacy (PPRA) team members and IAFC Marketing & Communications department to strategically create content for digital communications (social media, email marketing, etc.) to support IAFC’s policy agenda with the goals of amplifying reach and engagement statewide.
2. With the Assistant Director of Advocacy, develop trainings, tools, and resources to build advocacy capacity and leadership and to create champions across various constituencies.
3. Identify and support opportunities and communications strategies to make research findings relatable and actionable to various audiences.
4. Convene in-person and virtual public education, awareness-building events and other engagement opportunities.
5. Draft advocacy communications, including action alerts, monthly e-Advocate and We, the Village newsletters, and other communications materials as needed.
6. Serve as Co-Chair of the We, the Village Communications Committee and represent IAFC in communications efforts of partner organizations and coalitions.
7. Support communication and engagement efforts and campaigns regarding various PPRA initiatives, including research projects.
8. Create, update, and maintain content for We, the Village social media and website
9. Work with IAFC Marketing & Communications department to update IAFC website with relevant materials as needed.
10. Support planning of annual advocacy event in Springfield, IL, in partnership with PPRA team members and external collaborators.
11. Serve as PPRA Marketing Liaison and convene regular PPRA and Marketing meetings
12. Execute our workplace core capabilities of: accountability, customer focus, continuous quality improvement (CQI), communication, competent people, and clear priorities.
13. Other Functions: The organization may assign other functions to the job at its discretion.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree and one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Public speaking, writing, editing, social justice advocacy campaign/organizing and social media experience and/or skills required.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent communications and community engagement skills
• Ability to travel throughout city and state
• Ability to work independently
• Knowledge of Canva, WordPress, Facebook, Voter Voice and/or other social media, communications, and advocacy software and platforms preferred
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred
• Knowledge of early childhood care/education programs preferred
• Valid driver’s license and insurance
• Must be able to handle multiple projects and timelines, show strong and creative problem-solving abilities, and be independent

Benefits of Working at IAFC:

• Working with passionate team members that are driven by our Mission: Illinois Action for Children is a catalyst for organizing, developing, and supporting strong families and powerful communities where children matter most.
• We strive to foster and implement a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion across our organization. We know it is not only critical to the success of diversity initiatives - but instrumental in creating an unbiased and inclusive workplace! It not only relates to the diverse clients we serve but also creates a positive employee experience.
• We offer an extensive benefits package that adds value to your total compensation. Our benefits include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance plans with a company contribution of 95% for single coverage
• 401k with company match
• Generous PTO – first year-23 days, the second year-28 days, the third year and on - 35 days
• 11 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Account
• STD & LTD insurance
• Company-paid Life Insurance

Salary: $53,000 (annualized) based on background and experience

Location: Chicago, IL

Illinois Action for Children is EEO/M/F/V/D employer

While we desire for this job posting to be comprehensive, all aspects of the position may be amended at any time at the discretion of IAFC including job duties, work location and/or work schedule.