Program Director - S­t. L­o­u­i­s P­e­a­c­e­b­u­i­l­d­i­n­g

St. Louis’ Peacebuilding Program organizes Black youth to develop and advocate for alternatives to policing in our region. Through community organizing, coalition building and research, St. Louis’ Peacebuilding Program builds toward a world where local high schools and universities center real student safety: increased access to mental health resources, funding for educators and improved school conditions as alternatives to carceral practices.

Summary of Principal Responsibilities

The St. Louis Peacebuilding Program Director is responsible for planning and evaluating all projects and activities related to the program; hiring and supervising staff, interns and volunteers; and management of the budget and program expenses.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES:

The key responsibilities include the following:

1. Plan, develop, and provide overall leadership and coordination for AFSC’s Peacebuilding program in St. Louis, working collaboratively with staff/community and in consultation with the community accountability team, Midwest Regional Director, and other AFSC staff.
2. Supervise St. Louis Peacebuilding Program Associate, Fellow(s), and intern(s).
3. Support and co-lead local long-term youth-centered community organizing campaigns and related statewide advocacy.
4. Participate in internal AFSC networks including but not limited to Just Peace, Peacebuilding Network, Youth Network, and Community Safety Beyond Policing.
5. Serve as liaison, where appropriate, between the organization, school, parents, and community.
6. Work with the AFSC Development/Grants Team to build relationships with funders, solicit funding, and fulfill grant obligations.
7. Monitor progress, track performance, and confer with AFSC staff, youth stakeholders, and community regarding achieving the goals and outcomes of the program.
8. Engage St. Louis Friends Meeting through regular contact with members.
9. Keep abreast of local, regional, and national policies & procedures.
10. In collaboration with local staff, support the convening of a community accountability team for the St. Louis Peacebuilding Program.
11. Create annual budget, program plan, and evaluation in collaboration with supervisor, advisory committee, community, and AFSC staff.
12. Perform other duties assigned by the Midwest Regional Director as requested and ensure that all projects and programs are carried out with effectiveness, respect for others, and a focus on the mission, goals, and objectives of the AFSC.

EXPERIENCE:

Demonstrated commitment to power building and youth organizing. Examples may include but are not limited to the following:

• Served as an active participant in protest movements
• Engaged in community leadership and mentoring
• Participated in or led student groups at the high school or collegiate level and/or
• Excelled in a field of study related to movement building e.g. Black or Africana Studies, Women and Gender Studies, Queer Studies, Ethnic Studies, Third World Studies, etc.

1. Established commitment or willingness to engage a politic of abolition.
2. Experience organizing with directly impacted youth and communities for policy changes at a local and or state level.
3. Knowledge and expertise in issues related to popular education, human rights, nonviolence, workshop facilitation, team and community building, mentorship, and career guidance.
4. Demonstrated ability to work with middle and high school students and college age young adults in a social justice context including facilitating leadership development workshops and organizing.
5. Knowledge and expertise in issues affecting young people in the St. Louis area.
6. Demonstrated experience coordinating and facilitating youth training.
7. Experience with anti-racist training and organizing models; trauma-informed practices; and non-violent organizing.
8. Demonstrated ability to prioritize work, to plan and implement tasks with minimum supervision, and to respond quickly and effectively to unplanned activities.
9. Demonstrated ability to work with partner organizations and other professionals.

OTHER REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Familiarity with local and national policy issues related to youth justice, Black liberation and the carceral state.
2. Commitment to Quaker values and testimonies. Understanding of and compatibility with the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee including the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual and non-violence.
3. Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.
4. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
5. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to use consultative decision-making processes, while also being comfortable working independently.

The American Friends Service Committee is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.  Qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of their religious affiliation, race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.

AFSC’s Central Office and some of its offices in the U.S. are unionized workplaces. This position is represented.

The AFSC Maintains a deep commitment to a mandate of care for our staff and communities, and thus recommends vaccination for COVID-19.

The American Friends Service Committee is a smoke-free workplace.

100% premium paid comprehensive medical and hospitalization plan.

Term life, accident and salary continuation insurances, defined benefit pension plan, plus fringe benefits; participation in unemployment and worker’s compensation and social security.