Hunger Advocacy Fellow - Communications at Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Washington, District of Columbia, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

07 May, 26

Salary

20.0

Posted On

06 Feb, 26

Experience

0 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Communications, Writing, Interpersonal Skills, Organizational Ability, Advocacy, Networking, Collaboration, Storytelling, Research, Editing, Policy Analysis, Leadership Development, Faith Formation, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion

Industry

Religious Institutions

Description

Description About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 3 million members in more than 8,600 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther. The Lutheran Center (national office) is located in Chicago, Illinois. A staff of approximately 400, under the leadership of the Presiding Bishop, serve as administrators, advisors, conveners, partners, and resource people for the ELCA and its ministries. Staff lead the work of national, domestic, and global ministries and programs including Lutheran Disaster Response, ELCA World Hunger, Service & Justice, Christian Community and Leadership, and Innovation. We are also home to five of our separately incorporated ministries: The Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA, Women of the ELCA, Lutheran Men in Mission, the ELCA Foundation and the ELCA Federal Credit Union. About the position Through the Service & Justice (S&J) unit, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Churchwide Organization fosters and facilitates 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 regional ELCA synods in service and justice work within the territorial jurisdiction of this church; and providing guidance to members of the denomination on matters of social justice. Within the S&J unit, the work of the Witness in Society (WiS) team encompasses the advocacy ministry the ELCA churchwide organization does in the public sphere, advancing justice and shining a light on peace and dignity. Our advocacy activity is 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; ELCA-affiliated state public policy offices (SPPOs) in California, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin (as well as more than 15 additional affiliated state partners serving even more states); and through the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program. ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellows participate in a year-long formative experience that supports their growth as a leader, as a person of faith, and as a professional advocate for an end to hunger and a just world where all are fed. The Hunger Advocacy Fellow for Communications, working with federal ELCA advocacy staff in a fast-paced environment, will advance their professional communications skills in the advocacy endeavor. The Hunger Advocacy Fellow for Communications is part of the Witness and Society team in the Service & Justice unit. The 2025-26 Hunger Advocacy Fellow is a full-time, term-contract employee (with benefits) of the ELCA. The 2025-26 Hunger Advocacy Fellow, placed with the Policy team in Washington, D.C. will serve as a member of the staff. This is a full-time, term-contract (starts March 2026, end August 31, 2026, with the possibility of continuing for the 2026-2027 cohort cycle)), non-exempt, Washington, D.C.-based, in-person position. This position has responsibilities that will require being in the office several days each week and more as needed. The eligibility of a candidate for remote or hybrid positions may depend on the residency of the candidate, and the budget for the role, including salary or pay, insurance coverage, and/or tax burden. Candidates for this position must reside within the fifty United States or the District of Columbia and be authorized to work lawfully in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. 1. COMMUNICATIONS - Advance ELCA Witness in Society storytelling to strengthen advocacy initiatives, inform faith-based advocacy priorities, nurture ELCA connections, and build awareness of advocacy opportunities. Research, write, edit, and plan campaigns and resource development for media, video, action alerts, press releases and additional means of sharing among shared responsibility areas. Create opportunities to connect and integrate young adults and historically marginalized voices with ELCA advocacy in this church and its ministries. 2. NETWORKING AND COLLABORATION - Cultivate connectivity between advocacy staff and ELCA congregations, ministries and members to live into our value of accompaniment. Seek mutually beneficial opportunities to build storytelling bridges between lived experience and policy concerns to maximize advocacy effectiveness. Empower disciples for advocacy and help shape voices to be heard by elected officials, policy makers and ELCA members. 3. REPRESENTATION OF ADVOCACY NETWORK: Participate in opportunities, be they ELCA-affiliated or in ecumenical or other coalitions, as a representative of the Witness in Society presence of the ELCA. Contribute event support and shaping for WiS engagement opportunities. 4. ADVOCACY ENGAGEMENT: With direction from program directors in policy areas, support advocacy engagement that analyzes and addresses the root causes of hunger and economic injustice. Advocate to end world hunger and stand up for policies that create opportunities to overcome poverty, promote peace and dignity, preserve God’s creation and promote racial and gender justice. Build in comfort with using ELCA social teaching in faith-based advocacy. 5. TEAM SUPPORT & COLLABORATION - Expand coordination and operational capacity of the Federal Advocacy team, helping in any way needed for the team’s success. Specifically support senior leaders and use this close collaboration to learn and develop professional skills. Contribute to team success by meeting deadlines, keeping organized notes and records, communicating reliably and quickly, and maintaining good working relationships. 6. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND FAITH FORMATION: Connect throughout the year with WiS, the S&J Home Area, ELCA World Hunger, ELCA Young Adults, and with fellow Hunger Advocacy Fellows across the country for collective faith formation, leadership development and community building. Participate (as aligned with their own convictions) in the faith life of the ELCA churchwide staff community including, worship, service, and theological study & discussion. 7. Other duties as assigned. Requirements 1. Degree in communications or related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and work experience. 2. Excellent writing and interpersonal skills, with ability to work within style guides and on deadline. 3. Ability to function independently and with virtual tools to complete tasks in a hybrid work environment, with strong organizational ability. 4. Skill representing points of view accurately that are not necessarily one’s own. 5. Understanding and respect for the expertise of individuals who have lived experiences of hunger, and excitement for creating platforms for the voices of these community members to be heard by policymakers. 6. Preparedness for interacting with varied community members and leaders. 7. Willingness to become familiar with the ELCA’s commitment to be a publicly engaged church, direct legislative engagement and coalition work, and mission and structure. 8. Understanding of and professional engagement through the biblical and theological basis of this church and its commitment to public policy advocacy. Ability to model these values in relationship with colleagues, partners and the public. 9. Knowledge of the social issues faced by communities that the ELCA serves and the various points of view they elicit. Awareness of and sensitivity toward the diversity among ELCA Lutherans and ability to equip all types of audiences toward action on a common goal. 10. Appreciation for the mission, vision and values or the ELCA. 11. Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism. 12. Experience using Microsoft Office products (Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.). Physical While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone, and sometimes, to move about the state Capitol for meetings and other events. This position requires sitting for long periods of time. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Travel Some travel. This position requires some (overnight, domestic) travel by plane, car, etc. Valid driver’s license required. Benefits The ELCA offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees, including employer paid health premiums for employees, health and dependent care FSA’s, a health savings account (HSA) with an employer contribution, life insurance, and a substantial employer contribution to 403b retirement plan (no match required). We also offer a generous paid time-off policy including 17 paid holidays. All benefits commence on your start date. Contact If you have questions about this job or your application, please complete this form to contact Human Resources. Salary $20.00/hour.

Responsibilities

The Hunger Advocacy Fellow for Communications will advance ELCA storytelling to strengthen advocacy initiatives and support advocacy engagement that addresses the root causes of hunger. They will also cultivate connectivity between advocacy staff and ELCA congregations to maximize advocacy effectiveness.