GBCS Job Posting: Director of Civil and Human Rights

Position Opening: Director of Civil and Human Rights

The General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) of The United Methodist Church is the presence of the church on Capitol Hill in Washington DC. GBCS is tasked with implementing the Social Principles, which contain stances taken on social and political issues by The United Methodist Church. The General Board of Church and Society project plans and programs that challenge the members of The United Methodist Church to work through their own local churches, ecumenical channels, and society toward personal, social and civic righteousness. GBCS is charged to inform, motivate, train, organize, and build networks for action toward social justice throughout society, particularly on the specific issues prioritized by the board.

The Director of Civil and Human Rights will administer the civil and racial justice programs of the General Board of Church and Society including the priority issues of immigration and restorative justice. The Director will engage in analysis, communications, and advocacy on issues, engage policy-makers and maintain relationships with ecumenical and coalition offices. In collaboration with organizing staff, the Director will oversee engagement with networks of United Methodists working in the Annual Conference and local church contexts. The position reports to the Assistant General Secretary for Advocacy and Organizing.

Essential Job Functions of the Position:

• Administer board programs on civil and human rights by promoting racial and ethnic justice for all people.

• Maintain the function and work-flow of the board’s emphasis on immigration and restorative justice.

• Relate to congressional offices and government agencies on racial and criminal justice issues by advocating for systems that reflect the vision of justice set forth in United Methodist social teachings.

• Analyze legislative and general policy issues and trends in the context of the United Methodist General Conference and General Board of Church and Society positions that promote better human relations among God’s people.

• Monitor legislative efforts including immigration, mass incarceration, the abolition of the death penalty, gun violence, religious liberty, voting rights and discrimination. In collaboration with other staff, initiate and develop responses to issues of global migration and religious persecution.

• Develop educational and engagement materials that promote equal justice for all.

• Represent the board in ecumenical and coalitional relationships as assigned.

• Collaborate with ecumenical, interfaith and United Methodist inter-agency staff to support advocacy on civil and human rights issues.

• Work with communications staff to ensure constituencies are informed of current issues and opportunities for engagement.

• Staff the meetings of the board and resource board members to engage civil and human rights concerns in their ministry contexts.

• Cooperate and work with staff colleagues in a team approach to ministry, which is premised on mutual trust and shared decision-making.

• Perform other relevant duties assigned by the Assistant General Secretary related to the ministry.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, post-graduate studies desirable

• Excellent communications skills and cross-cultural competencies to articulate program issues and actions.

• Knowledge of issues including civil and human rights, criminal justice, immigration, restorative justice, hate crimes, gun violence and other social issues of the ministry.

• Talent to research, write and articulate the positions of the church on equity, racism and justice issues.

• Ability to develop evaluative reports in a timely manner

• Understanding of the United Methodist structures and positions and the ability to interpret those positions to the constituency.

• At least 3 years experience in advocacy and organizing on human rights, criminal justice and/or race relations.

• Ability to interpret legislation on civil and human rights in view of the social teachings of the church.

• Knowledge of policy and governance at the local, state, national and international levels.

• Ability to work as a member of a staff team in the United Methodist Building.

• Ability to work under time constraints

• Willingness to relocate and work in Washington, D.C.

• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time to carry out work of the ministry.

• Willingness to perform other duties assigned.

Compensation

Salary depends on experience – retirement benefits, 22 days paid vacation, sick and personal leave, comprehensive medical, dental and accidental-death insurance; other benefits as outlined in the Employee Personnel Manual. This is a full-time exempt position.

Hiring Policy

The General Board of Church and Society is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, age, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or any other legally protected status.

Procedure and Deadline:

To apply applicants must submit a letter indicating how your experience, training, gifts and skills equip you for this work. Include a resume with salary history and three persons familiar with your work. Incomplete applicant information will not be considered.

The position is open until filled.

No agencies, please

Send to: froberts@umc-gbcs.org

-or-
The General Board of Church and Society

Attn: Ms. Frances J. Roberts, AGS Administration/Human Resources

100 Maryland Ave. NE #224

Washington, DC 20002-5625

FAX: 202-488-1617