Community Organizer

Position Location: This position will be based in ACT’s Philadelphia office and in the field.

Reports to: Chapter Director

FLSA Status: Salaried-Exempt

Employment Type: Full-time

Hours: Monday- Friday, Hybrid, some evenings, and weekends are required.

Salary: The base salary for this position is $55,000.

Organization:

African Communities Together (ACT) is an organization of African immigrants fighting for civil rights, opportunity, and a better life for our families here in the U.S. and worldwide. ACT works to support and empower African immigrants to integrate socially, advance economically, and engage civically. ACT connects African immigrants to services, empowers our members to develop as grassroot leaders, and leads campaigns for social change. ACT’s African immigrant membership comes from a diverse range of nationalities, cultures, and languages, and is religiously diverse, majority women, and predominantly working-class and low income.

Position Description:

African Communities Together (ACT) needs an experienced community organizer and base-builder with expertise in organizing immigrant and BIPOC communities to lead our advocacy campaigns and cultivate an engaged membership base. This individual will also be responsible for outreach, member leadership development, and building external partnerships. This position is vital for establishing a new ACT branch in Pennsylvania. Additionally, this position works with the director of the Philadelphia Chapter to advance the Chapter's goals and objectives.

Key responsibilities include:

• Organizing:

• Engage and organize African communities to grow an informed, active base of community members who are fully engaged in campaigns advancing housing and tenants’ rights, civic participation, immigrant rights, language access, and other issues.
• Lead events and mobilizations on issues impacting African Immigrants.

• Outreach: Plan weekly local outreach activities such as door-to-door canvassing and phone banking to encourage voter participation and to aid in membership recruitment and engagement.
• Base Building: Find activists and community leaders interested in developing advocacy campaigns for issues widespread in Philadelphia's African immigrant neighborhoods.
• Membership:

• Mobilize members for monthly membership meetings and engaging members to support campaigns and organizational activities.
• Plan and facilitate workshops and educational events on various topics to educate members on critical issues.
• Identify and recruit community leaders into the organization...

• Leadership Development: training grassroots leaders and members in recruiting, facilitation, public speaking, issue analysis, and campaign strategy.
• Data Management: Maintain and continually update membership, training, and campaign-related data.
• External Partnerships:

• Engage a variety of stakeholders, including member leaders, allies, community leaders, coalitions, elected officials, and others.

Qualifications:

• At least 2 years of prior experience working as a community organizer, labor, or other relevant experience.  A combination of relevant work experience and a related educational degree will be considered.
• Proficiency in English is required. Fluency in a widely spoken African language or French is desirable.
• Proficiency in Google Suite, Excel, and other common business software.
• Ability to walk for prolonged periods of time, as needed.
• Understanding of and passion for ACT’s mission and values.
• Positive, proactive, and solution-oriented team player.
• Excellent organizational skills with ability to manage diverse projects simultaneously, work under pressure, and meet deadlines.
• Excellent in-person, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to succeed in a collaborative community environment, including accountability to goals, working independently, prioritizing, and thriving in a diverse group of staff, volunteers, and communities.

Requirements:

• Must reside in or around Philadelphia.
• Requires a valid driver's license and access to a personal vehicle.
• Cultural competence and significant experience with African immigrant communities.
• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours including evenings and some weekends.

Employee Benefits

We offer a full comprehensive benefits package that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Simplified Employee Pension Plan (SEP-IRA). Additional benefits include professional development and a sabbatical/longevity bonus.

Paid Time and Holidays Off

We offer full-time employees up to 10 days of vacation time off, 12 sick days per calendar year, 1 personal day for every two months worked, 10 holidays off as applicable through the calendar year, and Year End Closure Holiday: the office is closed between December 24th through January 1st.

To apply, please submit your resume along with a brief cover letter describing your interest in the position. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications by November 3rd,2023; however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job description describes you, please apply for this role.