Advocacy Director

The Advocacy program is committed to connecting membership with opportunities that promote active civic engagement as it relates to the vital work of the United Nations in addition to its Global Goals for Sustainable Development. Our Advocacy platform provides a collective voice to a mobilized local community. UNA-Chicago supports a non-partisan, issue-focused advocacy agenda inclusive of constructive dialogue, engagement with city and state representatives, and UNA-USA’s national efforts.

The Advocacy Director will be charged with translating UNA-Chicago’s educational events into actionable opportunities for interested members. Program-relevant advocacy actions are a critical component of the organization’s service delivery model, promoting a prime opportunity to activate an informed audience. This role will be required to actively engage with board members to ensure planned advocacy actions are appropriate for the program material, target audience, and commitment levels.

UNA-Chicago’s overarching plan is two-fold: 1) Become a fixed, leadership entity in the city of Chicago when it comes to advocating for the UN with local and state government officials; and 2) create a diverse portfolio of advocacy opportunities for engaging membership of varying engagement and commitment levels

Primary Responsibilities

Serves as the liaison between UNA-Chicago and the Advocacy Committee of the Council of Chapters and Divisions (National) and the UNA-USA Washington Office

  • To the maximum extent possible, supports and participates in major programs such as UN Day activities, UNA-USA Day on Capitol Hill, and UNA-USA annual meetings and national conventions
  • Create and implement advocacy opportunities that connect with each educational event’s programming
  • Work with Communications Director to undertake public education efforts about UNA-Chicago advocacy work through letters to the editor and op-eds in newspapers and other media
  • Coordinates chapter participation in advocacy events organized by local partner organizations
  • Disseminates local advocacy action alerts to encourage UNA-Chicago members to contact local legislator about a particular law or policy related to UN initiatives
  • Actively recruits, manages, and engages an Advocacy Committee to assist where appropriate
  • In conjunction with Advocacy Committee, develops and facilitates trainings for members about how to communicate with local legislators on priority UN issues
  • Submits weekly updates as necessary and appropriate
  • Submits a timely and complete Advocacy Committee Report prior to each board meeting
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