Project Coordinator, Public Affairs

CHILDRENS DEFENSE FUND•Washington, DC

3d•$53,160 - $59,805•Onsite

About The Position

The Project Coordinator provides essential administrative, logistical, and project support for CDF’s Public Affairs work and co-anchor responsibilities within the ECOSYS Southern States Fund. Working closely with the Senior Project Manager and National Director, the Coordinator helps ensure smooth execution of project flow, regranting processes, partner engagement, convening logistics, communication flow, and documentation. This role supports internal coordination across CDF teams and external alignment with partners, advisors, and collaborators. The Coordinator helps maintain tracking systems, prepare materials, manage communications, and organize convenings and technical assistance activities that enable high-quality implementation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
Minimum 2 years of experience in project or program coordination, preferably in nonprofits or multi-stakeholder initiatives.
Demonstrated commitment to racial equity, child well-being, and community-centered Qualifications
Excellent organizational, time management, and follow‑through skills.
Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Strong interpersonal skills and collaborative orientation.
High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
Commitment to servant leadership and equity-centered practice.
Passion for CDF’s mission, values, and child well-being.
Proactive, adaptable, and reliable with strong problem-solving skills.
Ability to engage diverse teams and partners with humility and care.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting logistics, convenings, and partner engagement strongly preferred.
Experience coordinating multi-site or multi-partner efforts.
Familiarity with grant-funded projects, reporting cycles, or regranting processes.
Experience using project management tools and shared workspaces.
Background in organizing, youth/student leadership development, or faith-based work is a plus.

Responsibilities

Manage scheduling, calendars, agendas, and preparation of materials for internal and partner meetings.
Maintain project tracking tools, documentation, and shared files to ensure accurate and accessible records of related activities.
Support regranting processes (documentation, timelines, follow-up, and deliverable tracking) in alignment with CDF’s internal grant management procedures.
Assist with the flow of information among CDF teams to maintain alignment across Leadership Development & Organizing, Grants/Finance, Public Affairs, and State Offices.
Coordinate communications with partners, including scheduling, follow-ups, reminders, and distributing relevant resources.
Support onboarding processes by preparing partner materials, updating information packets, and maintaining accurate contact records.
Help manage communication flow with Advisors, technical assistant providers, and collaborators to ensure timely updates and clear expectations.
Draft initial talking points, executive summaries, briefing notes, and relevant first drafts of external communications, including project status reports, vendor correspondence, newsletter contributions, and formal project announcements.
Collaborate closely with the project manager and communications team to ensure all drafted external materials align with the organization’s voice, brand standards, and project goals.
Coordinate logistics for virtual and in-person convenings, including multiday gatherings at Alex Haley Farm and state partner visits.
Manage travel support, participant communication, materials preparation, and technological setup for convenings and workshops.
Support synthesis of convening notes, summaries, and follow-up actions for internal use.
Track TA requests, assignments, and pacing in collaboration with the Senior Project Manager and partners.
Coordinate scheduling, materials, and communication related to TA deployments.
Support data collection processes for learning activities, surveys, assessments, and internal reporting.
Assist with contract processes for trainers, vendors, and consultants (task assignments, processing invoices, tracking deliverables).
Maintain documentation in the shared hubs, including meeting records, TA resources, and regranting artifacts.
Provide administrative support for internal reporting, internal summaries, and light drafting as needed.
Other Duties as Assigned.