Overview
Church World Service (CWS) is seeking a passionate and community-centered Advocacy & Grassroots Organizer to help build the collective power of refugees, immigrants, asylum seekers, and allied communities across 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 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 Virginia 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 throughout the state of Virginia.
- 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 in Virginia.
- 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 and in coordination with CWS Virginia.
- 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 of Virginia 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 required.
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 ability to work collegially and collaboratively with community leaders, other staff and other organizations.
- A broad understanding of national, state, and local policies that pertain to refugees and immigrants.
- Demonstrated commitment to racial equity, immigrant justice and community-led social justice. .
- Experience tracking projects, maintaining databases, and reporting measurable outcomes. Well organized, with excellent communication, writing, and speaking skills.
- Communications experience working with local print, radio, TV and social media (preferred).
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Zoom, CRM/database systems, and social media platforms.
Skills
- Ability to work and thrive in a multicultural environment required.
- Self-starter capable of working independently, and team-oriented, with a high level of self-motivation and ability to meet goals and manage time in a fast-paced environment.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills, including the ability to listen, communicate effectively, and build lasting relationships with refugee leaders, IRP+ program staff, and IRP+ advocacy staff.
- Ability to collaboratively support diverse colleagues from a variety of professional, cultural, and educational backgrounds.
- Highly organized, with proven skills in project management or business operations.
- Ability to educate, mobilize and organize immigrant and refugee communities to move forward strategic campaigns.
- Strong problem-solving skills.
- Integrity, professional discretion, and ability to handle sensitive or confidential matters.
- Must possess dedication to the human rights of refugees, immigrants, asylum seekers, displaced people and/or other vulnerable populations.
- Fluency in English and at least one additional language commonly spoken by refugee and immigrant communities, including Spanish, Arabic, Dari, Pashto, French, Swahili, Somali, Nepali, or other relevant languages.
Competencies
Communication: Communicates clearly and concisely in verbal and written forms using established formats and templates; seeks clarification when instructions are unclear and confirms understanding before acting; shares progress updates in a timely, audience-appropriate manner.
Teamwork: Works cooperatively to complete assigned tasks; welcomes feedback and guidance; volunteers support when capacity allows; respects diverse perspectives and builds trust through reliability.
Problem-Solving: Applies established processes and tools to solve straightforward problems; identifies issues early and escalates with proposed options when possible; uses basic analytical techniques to understand root causes.
Accountability: Completes assigned tasks reliably and on time; accepts responsibility for errors and corrects them; proactively communicates risks to delivery.
Adaptability: Adjusts to new tasks, feedback, and shifting priorities with a positive attitude; demonstrates resilience and learns from setbacks.
Execution: Completes assigned tasks efficiently and to expected quality standards; proactively seeks help to avoid delays; tracks progress and meets deadlines.
Special Requirements
The job will require reference checks, standard criminal background checks, and motor vehicle background checks.
Benefits
CWS offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
- 403 (b) Retirement Plan
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Generous Paid Time Off (18 Paid Days Off; 24 Days after 2 Years)
- 14 Official Holidays
- 12 Sick Days Off (Accrued monthly)
- Life Insurance and AD&D
- Long Term and Short-Term Disability
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Health Savings Account
- Flexible Spending Accounts
