Advocacy Specialist

Overview:

The ACLU of Indiana’s Advocacy Specialist helps implement strategies that move people to take positive action in support of civil rights and liberties. This is a new, grant-funded position. With support from the Advocacy Manager, the Advocacy Specialist will primarily help build public support for ACLU of Indiana priorities through engagement with local and regional businesses as well as participate in other Advocacy Team activities. 

In collaboration with the ACLU of Indiana’s Legal, Policy, and Communications teams, the Advocacy team’s core mission is to help Hoosiers engage in strategic ways with state and local elected officials and other government decision-makers to win back, preserve, and advance a range of federal and state constitutional rights. We do this through providing opportunities and support to people and communities so they can tell their stories and advocate directly for their rights. 

The Specialist works under the supervision of the Advocacy Manager and in collaboration with other ACLU of IN staff members, the ACLU national office, and with coalition partners.

 Job Responsibilities:

• Support the execution of the ACLU of Indiana’s advocacy agenda by assisting in the implementation of broad-based advocacy  campaigns at the state and municipal levels, utilizing appropriate strategies and tactics;
• Build expertise in assigned ACLU of Indiana issue areas so that you can lead advocacy work on this issue and act as a resource to other ACLU of Indiana staff;
• Coordinate business engagement campaigns with support from affiliate leadership, including helping to identify goals and measurable outcomes, track outputs, and identify areas for course correction if needed;
• Assist in building and strengthening relationships with businesses in Indiana with an emphasis on local or regional businesses  and; 
• Frequent statewide travel to meet with business owners throughout Indiana;
• Design and execute events for new and existing business partners that strengthen connection between and among these partners and emphasizes the ACLU of Indiana’s priorities; 
• Attend and/or present at community meetings and events related to ACLU issues and priorities at public forums, conferences, and meetings on behalf of the ACLU of Indiana;
• In collaboration with the Communications team, identify, plan, and order needed collateral for advocacy work you are leading; and
• Assist colleagues on the advocacy team and affiliate wide as needed.

Expectations:

• Ability to work independently with supervision;
• Availability and willingness to work some evenings and weekends due to the community engagement aspect of this  position;
• Willingness to take ownership of projects with guidance from affiliate leadership;
• Participate actively in strategic conversations, providing insights and feedback based on your field of work;
• Interest in speaking on behalf of the ACLU of Indiana in front of community groups and coalition partners;
• Commitment to working in a non-partisan manner;
• Interest in and ability to work collaboratively within your own department and across departments; and,
• Ongoing interest in developing relevant skill sets.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field and 2 years of relevant experience or 5+ years of relevant experience;
• A demonstrable understanding of how to effectively engage with Hoosiers to mobilize them to action;
• Must possess a valid driver's license and reliable personal transportation for in-state travel as required by the role. Ability to travel independently, with minimal supervision, to various locations within the state. Occasional overnight stays may be required depending on organizational needs; 
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with diverse staff and partners and across the political spectrum; 
• Ability to handle and prioritize multiple activities and responsibilities and the ability to work on deadline;
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral; 
• Willingness to speak on behalf of ACLU of Indiana in public; 
• Ability to safely lift up to 20 pounds when setting up for events or other community engagements; 
• Ability to help prioritize issues and ACLU of Indiana goals in the face of competing interests; and,
• Ability to provide input on short- and long-term integrated advocacy strategies.

Salary and Benefits:

The ACLU of Indiana is a hybrid office; employees can choose to work from home up to two days a week. Employees are expected to work from our downtown Indianapolis office the remainder of the week. 

As a full-time exempt employee, your benefit package in this position will include paid vacation, sick leave, health, dental, and life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, and employer contributions to employee’s Health Savings Account and 401k. 

Application process and anticipated timeline:

Please upload a cover letter responsive to the expectations and qualifications sections above and current resume to the job posting on https://www.aclu-in.org/en/about/careers . We will begin reviewing submissions on a rolling basis two weeks after this position is posted. Promising candidates will be invited for a virtual first-round interview. Finalists will be invited to a final in-person interview in Indianapolis.