Position Title:                  Director of Organizing

Location:                          Rapid City, SD

Application Deadline:  July 1, 2023

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Managing Director of NDN Action, Korina Barry, will be responsible for providing support to the Managing Director of NDN Action and will directly manage the local NDN organizing core made up of 8 local organizers in the Rapid City Community. The ideal candidate has lived experience in Indigenous communities and a strong awareness, strong political analysis, and articulation of Indigenous issues. The Director of Organizing will support and expand NDN Collective’s Indigenous rights and policy advocacy operations, programs, and services. Note: If you are not an organizer, do not apply for this position.

WHO WE ARE

NDN Collective is the most ambitious, systemic effort to empower Indigenous Peoples in the history of philanthropy. We are creating a paradigm change in how society invests in Indigenous Peoples by dramatically scaling up investment and shifting decision-making power. We are doing four key things to create a new ecosystem that supports Indigenous self-determination:

1. We are dramatically increasing philanthropic investment into Indigenous-led organizations, with the goal of giving out $50M per year in grants.
2. We are creating an Indigenous-led CDFI to move $100M of for-profit investment into projects led by and serving Indigenous communities.
3. We are building capacity in Indigenous communities to be able to absorb this new influx of capital.
4. We are advocating for Indigenous rights and policy changes that will enable our peoples and communities to thrive.

What Sets Us Apart

• We represent the people we serve—we are Indigenous-led and support Indigenous people and organizations
• We think in systems and recognize the interconnectedness of all living things
• We are changemakers that have and model a mindset of abundance
• We believe in the power of Indigenous self-determination to create a just, equitable world for all people and the planet
• We integrate culture and ceremony into our work
• We acknowledge and pay respects to our elders and past while taking ownership and control of our future.

THE POSITION

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Directly manages the local Organizing Core team located in Rapid City. This position will directly manage 8 local organizers in the Rapid City community.
• Provide direct support to the Managing Director of NDN Action and be a bridge between the rest of the actions team and local organizers
• Help develop grassroots organizing strategies on the issues of racism, environmental justice, indigenous treaty rights, education, human rights and police violence.
• Assist in the leadership of the NDN Action team, including: supervision of staff and completion of performance reviews, facilitating team meetings, and standing in for the Managing Director in other internal or external meetings as needed. 
• Collaborate with the Managing Director of NDN Action with ecosystem coordination, including coordination between NDN Action campaigns and the rest of the NDN ecosystem.
• Collaborate with the Managing Director of NDN Action with building and refining Action team processes and connectivity to ecosystem deployments.
• Support the Organizing Core in the development of their priorities, strategy development, and ensure they have the resources needed to complete day-to-day organizing.
• Support efforts to expand our relationships with local stakeholders who are aligned with our interests.
• Support the Director of Movement and Strategic Partnerships in the development of coalition building strategies and supporting the cultivation of key relationships connected to local organizing.
• Support the NDN Policy team in the development and implementation of policy advocacy priorities and strategy connected to local organizing goals.
• Help track emerging issues that may arise at the state and federal level.
• Work with NDN Collective’s Communications team to develop and disseminate materials regarding emerging issues aligned with NDN’s priority areas.
• When appropriate, serve as a point of contact to the Communications Team regarding press releases, social media, and cultivating working relationships with media representatives.
• Assist the Managing Director of NDN Action in the development and implementation of the annual NDN Action budget.
• Travel nationally and internationally as needed.
• Provide mentorship and training to local organizers.
• Develop out an organizing training series to increase the capacity, and expand the political analysis of the local organizing core.
• Other duties assigned.

WHO YOU ARE

Education and Experience

• Four-Year Degree preferred with 3-5 years of professional experience preferred.
• Minimum of 5 to 10 years of organizing experience and can be vouched for.
• Experience working in a non-profit or Tribal setting with experience in organizing around Indigenous Rights issues.

Knowledge and Skills

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
• Has the ability to navigate movement spaces and frontline struggles while remaining accountable to a collective and an organization that is resourcing the movement.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with a range of groups, including internal teams, consultants and community members/partners    
• Understanding of organizational management, strategic planning and operations, and supervising employees as part of a strong team
• Excellent planning and organizational skills, ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities and provide administrative/programmatic support to the Action Team
• Experience working with Google Suite (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Forms, Drive)
• Understanding of and commitment to social change through building the capacity and power of people to change their communities and to participate directly in changing public policies
• Strong political analysis of Indigenous issues from both lived and professional experience.
• Strong ability and desire to work in a team environment which may include remote work.
• Strong motivation and ability to take initiative.

Personal Characteristics

• ACTIVATOR: You are a self-reliant person and are strong at making things happen by turning thoughts into action.
• LEARNER: You have strong learning agility and are able to rapidly understand and analyze new situations.
• COMMUNICATOR: You are an exceptionally strong communicator who can create high-quality materials and deliver compelling messages and presentations.
• ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT: You are ambitious and creative and enjoy the process of building something from the ground up.
• SOCIALLY & EMOTIONALLY INTELLIGENT: You are able to work efficiently and respectfully with others. You understand how individuals, groups, and societies work and you build rapport through being trustworthy and empathetic. 
• DETAIL ORIENTED: You strive for perfection and are able to move from the high level of a project to its smallest details. 
• FLEXIBLE: You thrive in a fast-paced environment and are flexible when it is necessary. You are willing to travel when needed and excel in a remote worksite.

This position is salaried, commensurate with experience, at a GS 13 level with a salary ranging from $83,328 to $108,324. Benefits include medical, dental and vision insurance as well as 401(k) retirement plan, a wellness program, personal leave and professional development.

HOW TO APPLY

Send an email to jobs@ndncollective.org with the subject line “INSERT JOB TITLE – [YOUR NAME].” In the email, please include:

As a single PDF attachment, include:

• Your resume
• 1-page cover letter explaining your interest in the organization and position
• Short answers to the following questions:
  • How does your indigeneity inform your current work and your interest in the position?
  • What is your philosophy about direct action?
  • What would you be most nervous about going into this role if you were offered and accepted the position?
  • NDN Collective conducts background checks, is there anything you want to share with us about your background?
  • What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
• In the body of the email, please copy and paste the content of your short answers and include your name, phone number, and email address. 

As attention to detail is critical for success in this role, only applicants who follow these specific application guidelines will be considered.

Note: Please apply to one position only.

NDN Collective is committed to equal opportunity for all persons without regard to sex, age, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination.  It is NDN Collective’s policy to comply with all federal, state, tribal and local laws and regulations regarding equal opportunity. In keeping with that policy, NDN Collective is committed to maintaining a work environment that is free of unlawful discrimination and harassment and will not tolerate unlawful discrimination against or harassment of any of our employees or others present at our facilities by anyone, including any NDN Collective supervisor, co-worker, vendor or client.