Program Coordinator for Network and Power Building

Reports to: Program Manager for Network and Power Building

Location: Remote, US (job must be performed within the United States)

About the Praxis Project

The Praxis Project is a values-driven, national nonprofit organization that seeks to improve health justice through partnerships to build community power and increase authentic collaboration and engagement. Praxis believes strongly that organized communities are critical partners in the struggle to create healthy communities. Praxis works with over 200 diverse grassroots groups across the United States that influence local policy, mobilize communities, and strengthen programs and organizations to improve health, equity, and racial justice. Praxis works to enable local efforts to build community power through training, technical assistance, capacity-building, hosting spaces for building relationships and learning, as well as comprehensive fiscal sponsorship. Our capacity-building programming is focused on partnerships that actively advance Praxis’ mission to build healthy communities by transforming the power relationships and structures that affect our lives. For more information, please visit www.thepraxisproject.org.

Position Summary

The Program Coordinator for Network and Power Building (PCNPB) team is responsible for supporting and managing the logistics and operations of the Network and Power Building (NPB) team. This is a new role within the NPB team. The person in this role will be essential for the success of the NPB team, coordinating logistics and implementing plans for various convenings, including but not limited to:

• The annual Roots and Remedies conference, an annual gathering of community leaders, organizers, activists, and policy advocates from around the country coming together to connect and amplify their work on space and housing issues, access to good food, quality education, youth empowerment, and more. It has been a space for our community to reconnect, relax, heal, and celebrate the profound work that community organizers are doing across the United States to improve health, justice, and racial equity. This convening is intentionally designed to be a liberatory space where we are free to be our whole selves as we explore new places, experience great organizing, celebrate culture, and share our talents with one another.
• Learning Circles, a quarterly gathering of members of our network that come together to explore shared issues, exchange experiences, and tools, learn new skills and frameworks, and weave personal connections that nurture and strengthen our movement
• Other internal meetings and gatherings, such as quarterly in-person NPB team meetings.

The PCNPB will build and cultivate relationships with a variety of partners and vendors, such as those in hospitality, logistics, food and beverage, creative services, language justice, supplies, and other elements of event hosting, to support the creation of safe and comfortable spaces that will accommodate a diverse group of movement builders from across the country. This means the PCNPB will maintain records of contracts, memoranda of understanding (MOUs), and other documents requiring a high level of attention to detail. The PCNPB will also help mitigate costs and negotiate contract terms so that the terms are equitable and responsible uses of community resources. The PCNPB will also work to develop systems for storing and sharing the extensive wealth of notes, tools, and resources generated by The Praxis Project/the NPB team and its network partners.

This is a full-time (40 hours per week), fully benefits-eligible, exempt position, with a general work schedule of Monday through Friday, 8 am - 4 pm or 9 am - 5 pm in the specified local time zone. (Schedule may vary depending on the needs of partners, etc.).

Overnight travel is required. The salary range for this position is $69,000- $75,948 per year, and the final salary will be based on experience, qualifications, and fair market compensation. Praxis uses US national compensation data for comparable work performed in similar industries and other reputable indices.

Praxis provides regular cost-of-living pay changes and substantial employee benefits beyond salary, taking a holistic approach to setting compensation.

Duties and Responsibilities

Coordination - Meetings and Events (~ 60% )

• Event planning and management as the team hosts gatherings with diverse groups, including movement builders, community partners, and social service organizations, which may be hosted in person and virtually
• Provides on-site and virtual support for meetings and events as assigned, which may require travel
• Coordinates event and meeting purchasing, including catering, coffee service, venue rental, etc.
• Books travel and accommodations and coordinates travel meetings and arrangements for meeting and event participants, staff, and board members.
• Hires and maintains a culture of security for our events
• Ensures adequate supplies, technology, and equipment are on-site and functional for meetings and events
• Develop and request signatures for contracts and memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with our network, vendors, and other community partners
• Problem-solves as changes arise and handle conflict with compassion and care

Operations - Network and Power Building Team (~20%)

• Offers logistics/operations support for our team and develops systems that promote team organization and efficiency
• Schedules and coordinates meetings and calls for the NPB team as needed
• Takes detailed notes of action items and inputs and monitors action items using project management software (such as Asana)
• Completes data entry, compiles information, and executes ad hoc research projects as requested
• Regularly conducts business expense reconciliation
• Database input and maintenance to record the participation of network partners in our events

General Organization Support (~20%)

• Performs proofreading and copy-editing for organization communications and materials in Spanish and English
• Supports the development of a robust, user-friendly database of The Praxis Project’s materials that can be made available online
• Maintains electronic and paper records and ensures filing is accurate and up to date in all NPB systems
• May support other general organizational needs assigned.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by their direct manager.

This is not a 100% comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities that may be assigned.

Qualifications, Education, and Experience

• Experience in managing logistics for events with diverse communities and participants.
• Experience working in social justice and/or social service organizations.
• Experience in a network or movement-building or movement intermediary organization.
• High degree of integrity, ability to exercise discretion, and maintain confidential information.
• Fluency in Spanish and English, spoken and written, is required.
• Precise attention to detail.
• Strong communication (oral/written), collaboration, and interpersonal skills to enable smooth interactions across multiple parties (external and internal) that result in successful events and continued partnerships.
• Planning and execution of virtual and in-person events.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Suite, Google Suite, and other digital tools needed to generate e-mails, professional documents, reports, and materials for the organization.
• Demonstrate capacity for critical, independent, and creative thinking
• Utilize inclusive approaches to engagement, such as supporting our language justice work by making materials accessible in another language and seeking out spaces where people of all abilities will be comfortable.
• Discern the appropriate information that needs to be shared with specific team members and partners and communicate and deliver promptly.
• Analyze event success and prepare reports and reconciliations promptly.
• Ability to learn new tools and technology quickly.
• Superior organization and time management skills with the ability to manage and prioritize one's own workload
• Exceptional customer service and diplomacy skills.
• Comfortable and capable of working with constant change and on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to remain calm and composed under pressure and to communicate courteously and professionally during tense situations.
• Ability to work well with and support multiple leaders simultaneously.
• High degree of emotional intelligence, curiosity, and openness.
• Deep alignment with and commitment to Praxis’ mission and approach.
• Fosters an environment that promotes trust and cooperation among partners and staff.
• Understands Praxis’ mission, values, and principles and applies them to work responsibilities.
• Works collaboratively with administrative and programmatic staff and external partners to achieve overall Praxis mission.

Desired qualifications: Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Experience with on-site event coordination and vendor management experience with third-party vendors (i.e., hotels, convention centers, and transportation companies)
• Experience developing and managing databases of digital files and records
• Knowledge of people-centered educational methodologies (such as popular education) and outreach techniques is preferred
• Experience working within politically targeted movements or organizations is preferred

Mental and physical demands

• High level of concentration and attention to detail required
• Time speaking and listening ranges between 25–50%
• Extended time sitting or standing while at a computer
• Praxis currently works remotely as an internal team and with our partners across the United States. Leading and participating in remote video and telephone conferences is required
• Multiple video conferences per day with camera settings and video camera on
• Travel is required, about 3 trips per quarter, including overnight travel, each trip potentially being 3 or more days per trip
• In-person team meetings (approx. 3 times per year) may be expected
• Some exposure to hearing, seeing, or imagining traumatic events or social crises within the communities we serve
• Extensive interaction and communication with colleagues and strangers, in person and virtual
• Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and insurance are required for employees driving on Praxis business; driving record checks may be required as well

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Praxis Project is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religious creed, disability (mental and physical) including HIV, AIDS, and AIDS-related conditions, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, age, marital status, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Praxis participates in I-9 and E-Verify. You must prove you are legally authorized to work in the United States, and this role may require a background check.

The Praxis Project will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental limitations of qualified employees with disabilities unless the accommodation imposes an undue hardship on Praxis operations. Please submit reasonable accommodation requests to people@thepraxisproject.org.

Required Training

Praxis is committed to fostering a safe and welcoming work environment. All Praxis employees are required to complete annual training on preventing harassment and discrimination, managing bias, and creating an inclusive workplace. Ongoing training may be assigned for professional development purposes.

Benefits

Praxis offers a very competitive full-time benefits package, including employer-sponsored health, dental, and vision insurance, paid sick leave, paid vacation (15 days in year one of employment), 15+ paid holidays per year, flexible spending accounts, 401k retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested), reimbursement for cell phone and wireless internet usage as well as wellness costs, regular cost-of-living pay adjustments, and more.

To Apply

Please submit your application for the Program Coordinator for Network and Power Building position at The Praxis Project using the link on Idealist. Screenings will begin the week of Monday, December 16, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Applications will only be accepted with a resume & cover letter. The ideal start date is due to Praxis' holiday schedule; candidates moving forward will receive a response from Praxis by January 3, 2025. The ideal start date for the candidate is during the week of Monday, January 27-31, 2025.