Western New York Consultant

Local Progress•New York, NY

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Local Progress and the Local Progress Impact Lab work collectively to advance a racial and economic justice agenda through all levels of government. Local Progress (LP) is a movement of nearly 1,800 local elected officials advancing a racial and economic justice agenda through all levels of local government. The Local Progress Impact Lab (the Impact Lab) brings together local leaders, partners, and experts to build the knowledge, skills, and leadership needed to advance racial and economic justice at the local level. The Consultant will be a contracted position who will work closely with the New York Chapter Manager to create an organizing plan for Western New York (Fingerlakes, Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester) to grow the leadership and organizing capacity of local elected officials in the area. This temporary contract position will require establishing and strengthening membership, cultivating relationships and buy-in from key organizational partners, creating a leadership development strategy, and identifying issue alignment for NY-specific campaigns to participate in LP's broader New York chapter. The Western New York Consultant will report to the NY Chapter Manager.

Requirements

3-4 years of relevant experience, including demonstrated experience working with local elected officials and movement partners in New York State, and across Western & Fingerlakes region.
Experienced project manager who can balance multiple projects at once and and meet deadlines
Strong communicator and problem solver
Results-oriented with a demonstrated ability to set up work plans oriented towards concrete goals, anticipate obstacles and identify ways to navigate challenges, identify and involve stakeholders appropriately, and drive projects independently
Strong communication, relationship building and facilitation skills
Experienced relational organizer with an ability to relate to a diverse group of people from a variety of local contexts and backgrounds
A commitment to inside/outside strategy and movement governance that features deep partnership between “outside” organizing and “inside” elected officials.
A demonstrated commitment to social, racial, and economic justice and a deep interest in local policy, politics, and government
Ability to travel occasionally in the region when conditions allow and as needed throughout the state

Nice To Haves

Experience working with local elected officials, government, advocacy organizations, or issue-based campaigns.
Familiarity with the political and civic landscape of Western New York.

Responsibilities

Work closely with the LP NY State Chapter Manager and other relevant Local Progress staff on key issue areas in Western NY region. This will include regularly scheduled meetings to strategize, provide updates and ensure deliverables are being met.
Research, identify and conduct outreach to values aligned local elected officials in Western New York to expand Local Progress New York chapter membership and engagement.
Identify opportunities to deepen relationships with existing members and cultivate new member leaders.
Support the development and deepening of strategic relationships with regional advocacy organizations, labor partners, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders aligned with Local Progress values and priorities.
Conduct one-on-one conversations and host in-person and/or virtual listening sessions with local elected officials and partners to identify key issue priorities, challenges, and opportunities for deeper engagement.
Produce an assessment of key resources and tools needed to further develop the leadership and organizing capacity of local electeds in Western NY.
Collect and develop recruitment materials, including sign-on letters and other engagement tools, that help bring members into campaigns and coalitions advancing racial, immigrant, and economic justice; reproductive healthcare; and climate and worker justice, among other issue priorities across the LP network.
Produce a final report that synthesizes lessons learned, assesses the regional and local political landscape, identifies potential partner organizations and prospective members, outlines a process for transferring relationships with key contacts (including local elected officials and organizers), and provides recommendations to strengthen local elected capacity and support sustainable regional growth
Support recruitment and outreach efforts for the New York Statewide Strategy Meeting, including targeted outreach to prospective attendees in Western NY region.
Support pre- and post-event communications with attendees and prospective members.