Through the Service and Justice unit, the ELCA Churchwide Organization shall foster and facilitate this church’s engagement in service with and among communities and promote efforts to call and act for justice. Its work includes engaging in mission, service, and justice in accompaniment with churches and organizations in other countries [serving as the means through which churches in other countries engage in mission to this church and society]; engaging with communities, coalitions and networks, congregations, and synods in service and justice work within the territorial jurisdiction of this church; and providing guidance to members on matters of social justice.
Witness in Society encompasses some of the work and ministry the ELCA does in the public sphere, advancing justice and shining a light on peace and dignity in advocacy activity coordinated from the ELCA’s federal hub in Washington, D.C. alongside the Lutheran Office for World Community at the United Nations in New York City; Lutheran state public policy offices (SPPOs) in California, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin; and more than 15 directly affiliated locations serving even more states; and through the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program.
The primary purpose of the position is to assist the Director and the Program Director of the Lutheran Office for World Community to advocate to the United Nations (UN) and represent the ELCA and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
- ADVOCACY ENGAGEMENT: With direction from director and program director, support advocacy engagement that analyzes and addresses the root causes of injustice. Advocate on LWF and ELCA priority themes of Human Rights, Climate Justice, Gender Justice, Migration, Humanitarian Action and Peace.
- NETWORKING AND COLLABORATION: Participate in and report on NGO coalitions meetings and briefings, and engage with ecumenical and interfaith meetings and network opportunities. Serve in accompaniment with international visitors and guests. Support staff, partners and invited guests with logistical support and hospitality as they plan their trips, travel and when they are in New York.
- COMMUNICATIONS: Advance digital storytelling to strengthen advocacy initiatives, inform LWF advocacy priorities, nurture ELCA connections, and build awareness of advocacy opportunities. Research, write, edit, and plan campaigns and resource development for social media, video, newsletter, blogs. Connect LWF and ELCA youth and young adults to our advocacy ministry.
- LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND FAITH FORMATION: Connect throughout the year with ELCA Witness in Society, Service and Justice home area and the Lutheran World Federation’s Action for Justice Unit for collective faith formation, leadership development and community building.
- REPRESENTATION OF ADVOCACY NETWORK: Connect with youth and young adults from LWF and ELCA for advocacy. Participate in opportunities, through the ELCA-affiliated advocacy ministries, in ecumenical or other coalitions, as a representative of the Witness in Society.
- Other duties: as assigned
