Overview

With national offices in Louisville, Kentucky, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) focuses on the national and international mission work of the church. It serves and works with congregations, presbyteries, and synods as the central provider of resources that enable individuals, congregations, and governing bodies to carry forth the mission of Jesus Christ in the world. The work at the Presbyterian Center is carried out by approximately 275 staff members who provide overall support for the mission of the church.
 
Position Purpose:
 To increase support to Mid Councils, their congregations and local coalitions, in their ministries with refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable immigrant populations. The position will work under the supervision of the Associate for Migration Accompaniment Ministries, working closely with CPJ ministries, the Immigration Issues Office of OGA and Mid Councils to increase networking and peer learning opportunities. 

Roles and Responsibilities:

1. Identify, promote and nurture the development of regional networking among Mid Councils, local congregations, refugee and immigrant groups, PDA volunteers and other relevant stakeholders for mutual support, learning and organizing. Participate in national networking events as able.
2. Establish and deepen relationships with refugee and immigrant led groups interested in collaboration with faith-based groups, to strengthen our understanding and centering of refugees and displaced persons within PDA and PMA.
3. Work with PCUSA congregations to develop and redevelop accompaniment ministries and advocacy that centers on refugee and immigrant voices in a way that honors their experiences and perspectives. This includes equipping congregations to decolonize their relationships with refugees and asylum seekers, addressing questions of cultural bias, white privilege and racial injustices in the context of these ministries.
4. Work with PDA grantees, other local partners, coalitions and Mid-Councils to enhance refugee and asylum related advocacy efforts of CPJ Justice ministries and the Office of Immigration Issues (OGA) consistent with GA policy. This includes supporting avenues for including local voices in national advocacy opportunities (vigils, rallies, webinars, etc.).
5. Bring to the attention of the Associate for Migration Accompaniment Ministries any policy and programmatic issues identified by local partners for possible PDA action (public policy or programmatic).
6. Lead webinars, in-person workshops and other special projects in coordination with the Associate for Migration Accompaniment Ministries.
7. Contribute to PDA communications with blogs, articles, social media posts and email messages in support of the above responsibilities.
8. Assist with the refugee & asylum grantmaking process as needed, in coordination with the Associate for Migration Accompaniment Ministries and PDA administrative staff.
9. Represent PDA at meetings and events as needed.
10. Participate fully in the life and work of the PMA, and collaborate with colleagues in other ministry areas and offices to effectively carry out this ministry. Perform other duties as assigned.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree required. Specialized training in refugee or asylum related field.

Experience:

Lived experience with migration or 2 years minimum working with refugee or immigrant related services or advocacy. Faith-based or grassroots community-organizing preferred. Experience working with churches or other faith-based institutions a plus.

Essential Position Requirements:

• Ability to work in cross-cultural and inter-cultural settings
• Community Organizing
• Effective listening and critical thinking
• Self-starter and ability to multi-task
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English

Helpful Skills:

• Public speaking
• Social media
• Ability to speak and write in a language other than English
• Grant or report writing

Required Competencies:

Collaborative: Works together in an inclusive community, invites input, shares ideas and seeks the best ways to accomplish common goals and easily adapts to a dynamic work environment.

Accountable: Takes responsibility for actions and works with integrity, transparency and love.

Responsive: Responds to the voices and needs of the church by being timely, helpful, enthusiastic and mission-centered.

Organization: Strong organizational skills and the ability to take the lead in office organization.

Communication: Outstanding written, phone and verbal skills

Excellent: Works with energy, intelligence, imagination and love.

Cultural Proficiency: Understands and values differences in various cultures within the organization. Manages dynamics of cultural differences within a work group. Adapts to cultural diversity by continuously learning about differences and creates opportunities for staff to learn about one another.

Life / Work Balance: Recognizes the importance of rest and renewal and the need to maintain an appropriate balance between work life and personal life by adapting to changing needs at work, taking time to pursue personal interests, seeking others' help and discernment when needed and responding appropriately when overcommitted or when faced with stressful or dynamic situations.

Physical Requirements:

• Must possess the ability to perform above job-related duties.
• Ability to travel within the U.S. once or twice a month for several days

Benefits

We believe a balanced life, with time for work, leisure, and spiritual nurture, makes us healthier and more productive colleagues at the Presbyterian Center.
 
 The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) offers a competitive benefits package including:
 
Company Paid Benefits
 Medical
 Vacation Days
 Sick Days
 Paid Holidays
 Death and Disability
 Pension Plan
 Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
 Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
 
Voluntary Benefits
 Dental insurance
 Flexible Spending accounts
 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan
 Group Term Life Insurance
 Critical Illness Insurance
 Accident Insurance
 Our Commitment:

Our faith in God inspires our commitment to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and is grounded in scripture, the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and actions of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

 Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is committed to being not only an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the U.S. government,
 but with the inclusion of gender identity and sexual orientation as well.

Candidates from Presbyterian communities in the global south and other historic Presbyterian Communities of Color, preferably with theological training and fluency in languages other than English, are encouraged to apply.

 The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
 Individuals living with disability encouraged to apply.