Community Engagement Specialist

Church World Service•New York, NY

14d

About The Position

Church World Service (CWS) is a not-for-profit organization working to eradicate hunger and poverty and to promote peace and justice around the world. CWS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, or veteran status in employment or in the provision of services. To achieve CWS’ mission in a meaningful and long-lasting way, CWS-local office plans to build trusting partnerships with community groups and local officials to better leverage resources and advocate for increased access to services for newcomers. CWS-local office also plans to engage migrant children and families in sharing their experience and shaping positive living environments for their community. This position is funded through September 29, 2026 and subject to funding renewal. About CWS Imagine waking up every morning with the chance to change someone's life. Imagine knowing your efforts will benefit both your career and our neighbors around the world. At CWS, our team knows they are making a difference every day. Whether you're in our U.S.-based offices supporting refugees, asylees or unaccompanied children ... implementing hygiene initiatives in Cambodia or rebuilding projects in Central America ... or even connecting remotely from your home on fundraising campaigns, grant reports, or critical communications - you have the opportunity to work towards a world where everyone has food, a voice and a safe place to call home. Purpose Working with the Site Director and the New York team, this position will collaborate and create goals around community engagement for the local site. They will develop and implement a local strategy to meet both local and national goals for community engagement to support unaccompanied children and refugee families. This position requires time allocated to relationship and community building, engaging with volunteers, interns, and various other constituencies, such as faith partners and denominations. Other activities include event leadership building, strategic planning with the support of the local Site Director and other team members.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree or foreign equivalent required.
At least 4 years’ experience conducting outreach and/or community engagement activities in non-profit setting.
Superior written and verbal communication skills.
Able to engage stakeholders and conduct follow-up.
Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
Organized and ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment required.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Successfully pass PSA, FBI and Child Abuse and Neglect Checks.

Nice To Haves

Prior direct service experience with unaccompanied children, asylum seekers, and/or refugees highly preferred, but not required.
English and Spanish fluency preferred.

Responsibilities

In collaboration with the local Site Director and staff, coordinate local community outreach and engagement activities in the area; Support the Director with planning and implementing local engagement events.
Properly collect migrant and refugee stories for education and community engagement opportunities.
Collaborate with CWS’s communications and media team to develop a communications strategy for New York.
Create and implement effective local community engagement strategies for the recruitment of interns and volunteers, including but not limited to corporations, businesses, universities, civic and faith-based organizations.
Initiate conversations and play a key role in creating or shaping CWS-local office webpage and social media presence.
Supervise interns and volunteers.
Develop effective and culturally sensitive outreach materials.
Contribute to resource development efforts including engaging congregational partners.
Maintain day-to-day contact and provide technical assistance to staff on community engagement; serve as the primary point of contact on matters relating to community engagement for national network staff.
Coordinate with CWS Community Engagement national staff to ensure a comprehensive approach to community engagement and provide support to the CWS network.
Represent local CWS office at internal and external conferences, meetings, committees and working groups with CWS colleagues and other stakeholders.
Lead efforts for the New York site to participate in events related to immigrant and refugee issues in the area.
Support other community engagement needs within the CWS-local Site.
Develop resource pages and directories for staff and clients.