Associate Director Education and Advocacy

Diocese of Tucson•Nogales, AZ

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director for Education and Advocacy will work under the direction of the Director of Education and Advocacy, focusing on leadership formation, binational relationship-building, and coordinating key programs. The role requires a commitment to Catholic Social Teaching, accompaniment, and understanding the lived experiences of migrants. The employee is expected to be a minister of the Gospel and Catholic Teaching in both their professional and personal life, living in a manner worthy of their calling.

Requirements

A working knowledge of, and a strong commitment to the mission of fostering lay leadership in the Catholic Church; must also be a practicing Catholic in full communion with the Church.
Excellent communications skills, verbal and written; excellent human relations interpersonal skills.
Exercise courtesy to fellow employees, parishioners, and the public.
Must be a self-starter; well organized; perform multiple tasks simultaneously and work with a sense of urgency.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Professional bearing; clean and neat personal appearance.
Ability to work comfortably in a Catholic‑inspired organizational setting that is inclusive and welcoming to people of diverse beliefs.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively, manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment, and adapt to evolving needs and opportunities in a binational context.
Possess strong interpersonal communication and organizational skills.
Must possess an immigration status that allows the individual to move easily across the U.S. - Mexico border, or the possibility of obtaining the corresponding visa.
Ability to successfully pass a background, criminal history, and credit history check.
Bachelor’s degree or higher in public policy, political science, law, education, social work, religious studies, Latin American studies, international affairs, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
At least five years of experience in non‑profit social services, community organizing, education or ministry, preferably with migrants, border communities, or other vulnerable populations.
At least two years of experience managing projects, programs, or teams.
Experience in advocacy or community organizing related to migration or other social justice issues, preferably in the US or Mexico.
A deep personal commitment to accompaniment of migrants and to work towards humane and just migration policy.

Nice To Haves

Preferably, have familiarity with the US–Mexico border region, contemporary migration issues and trends, and US/Mexico immigration policy, or willingness and ability to learn these quickly.
Experience working with vulnerable populations.
Fluent written and verbal communication in English and Spanish is required.

Responsibilities

Recognize and support the unique Catholic Mission of the Diocese by speaking, acting, and instructing consistent with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
Give evidence of living Gospel values by being an active member of a faith community and being open to the importance of a personal faith journey; strive to model the teaching of Jesus by attitude and example.
Listen attentively to migrants to understand how US and Mexican policies have affected them and allow that listening to influence education and advocacy priorities, tactics, and practices.
Support the Director of Education and Advocacy in managing, implementing, and evaluating the strategic priorities for the Education and Advocacy Department, ensuring that programs align with KBI’s mission, vision, and strategic plan.
Lead specific education and advocacy projects as delegated by the Director, including planning, implementation, monitoring, documentation, and reporting.
With the Director of Education and Advocacy, lead, organize, and accompany education and advocacy staff, interns, and volunteers to support their professional development, reflection on practice, and active engagement in creatively and faithfully advancing KBI’s mission, vision, and strategic plan.
Encourage and maintain a supportive and successful collaboration between Education and Advocacy staff, other departments in the organization and external collaborators.
Work closely with the Director of Education and Advocacy as a thought partner to provide analysis and recommendations on tactics or approaches for KBI’s response to emerging challenges and opportunities at the border and in the region.
Cultivate relationships with strategic individuals and organizations in the US and Mexico who hold political, or social influence, and invite them to leverage their power to advance migration with dignity.
Collaborate with key partners to coordinate advocacy, education, and communications efforts.
Coordinate and participate in binational coalitions and networks (including faith‑based, grassroots, and academic partners) that advance KBI’s advocacy agenda.
Represent KBI and migrants in selected public spaces (such as presentations, workshops, webinars, conferences, and meetings with allies) and, whenever possible, prepare, accompany, and prioritize migrant leaders as spokespeople.
In collaboration with the Education and Advocacy team, host visits and immersion experiences at KBI’s Migrant Outreach Center so that these encounters spur solidarity, reflection, and action.
Support the Director of Education and Advocacy in overseeing or coordinating the KBI–FIRRP Legal Defense Partnership and other legal/protection collaborations to ensure that the work responds to the needs of KBI and the migrants we accompany.
Support on‑the‑ground abuse documentation in both the US and Mexico through intake interviews, filing complaints, and monitoring treatment of migrants, and help train staff and volunteers in documentation practices that follow KBI protocols.
Contribute to administrative initiatives, including evaluation processes.
Coordinate and plan with the Director of Education and Advocacy and the administration team to ensure that education and advocacy programs have adequate and qualified staff and volunteer resources.
Perform other duties as assigned.