Capacity Building Manager (Northern California)

Company Overview

Founded in 1993, the National Harm Reduction Coalition (NHRC) is a leading advocacy and capacity-building organization dedicated to promoting the health and dignity of individuals and communities affected by drug use and structural violence. Our national organization is committed to advancing harm reduction policy and practice through our comprehensive programs. As a national organization we advance harm reduction policy and practice through six core programs:

1. Harm reduction policy, community mobilization, and advocacy.
2. Harm reduction resources including in-person and virtual trainings, self-paced online learning modules, publications, and maps to locate syringe service and naloxone programs.
3. National and regional convenings.
4. Grantmaking.
5. Fiscal sponsorship.
6. Technical assistance on overdose prevention education, hepatitis C prevention and treatment, syringe access expansion, linkages to MOUD treatment, and the US opioid crisis.

Our programs center racial equity as guided by our North Star: the National Harm Reduction Coalition creates spaces, dialogue, and action that help heal the harms of racialized drug policies.

Position Summary

The Capacity Building Manager will extend NHRC’s work in addressing drug related harms in California communities, with an emphasis on developing harm reduction best practices for rural and suburban communities, and tailored them for Black, Indigenous and People of Color led, harm reduction programs. The Capacity Building Manager will support the California Harm Reduction Initiative (CHRI) and other aligned state-related projects, which aim to create more sustainable and robust harm reduction services in California through community convenings, training and technical assistance and investment in staffing, service expansion and organizational development, responsive to the needs of Syringe Services Programs (SSPs). This role also supports the program evaluation of CHRI and the development of key recommendations resulting from these data to SSPs and funders in California.

As a member of the Capacity Building Team, this position contributes to NHRC’s ongoing and collaborative strategy to address drug related harms, specifically in communities most impacted by overdose deaths. This person will respond to requests from the community related to training needs, community building, resources for syringe services programs, and technical assistance. Other duties will include reviewing and revising materials and curricula, attending community organizing events and conferences, and other research-related activities that inform and improve the National Harm Reduction Coalition’s overall capacity building strategy.

The ideal candidate is an individual who enjoys a fast-paced environment and who brings experience working in BIPOC and rural harm reduction programs, with an eye for community building, training and technical assistance, organizational development, data collection, analysis and program evaluation.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide and coordinate training and technical assistance to SSPs in California and surrounding states to build alignment with harm reduction best practices including: overdose prevention and response and naloxone distribution, organizational development and resources, overcoming community opposition, and development of culturally-appropriate strategies for serving under-served and disproportionately impacted populations (particularly Black, Native and Latino/x populations), among other practices.
• Build community support for harm reduction, and for new and prospective SSPs, through relationship building, convenings, and mobilization work with diverse stakeholders, including elected officials, health department representatives, and other grassroots organizations and community members.
• Apply a racial justice lens to harm reduction and center the voices of people with lived experiences of drug use, in the intersections with HIV, hepatitis C, overdose, homelessness, incarceration, and sex work. Cultivate the leadership and meaningful involvement of people who use drugs through co-facilitation and speaking opportunities, communications, training, and professional development opportunities.
• Participate in statewide coalitions and cultivate harm reduction leadership from Black, Native and Latino/x grassroot and non-profit organizations and communities across the state.  
•  Collaborate with CHRI team to lead implementation of bi-annual Point in Time (PIT) Surveys and other data collection efforts to assess SSP participant needs statewide, and support data analysis, dissemination and effective program evaluation.
• Offer support with state-wide policy initiatives and projects, including attending lobby days, legislative activities, community organizing and training, and collaborations with other coalitions on related policy initiatives.
• Collaborate on project-based and regional communications to external partners to highlight upcoming events, program features, funding opportunities, and resources.
• Participate in and support virtual convenings, and virtual and in person events, such a California specific and the National Harm Reduction Conference.

Competencies

• Leadership and Team Management: Effective leadership and team management skills are crucial for a managerial role in harm reduction services. The candidate should be able to inspire and motivate the team, foster a culture of inclusivity and teamwork, and provide guidance and support to team members.
•  Strategic Vision: The candidate should have the ability to develop and articulate a strategic vision for the expansion of harm reduction services in the region. This includes understanding the unique needs of diverse communities, identifying opportunities for growth and improvement, and aligning the organization's goals with the vision.
• Cultural Competence: Given the diverse communities and populations served, the candidate should demonstrate cultural competence and sensitivity. They should be able to navigate and address issues related to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic backgrounds to ensure equitable and inclusive harm reduction services.

Required Education and Experience

• 3-5 years of demonstrated experience in project management, planning and evaluation, and/or coordination of programs or projects, within nonprofits, harm reduction programs and/or capacity building organizations.
• Experience and confidence in training delivery, technical assistance, in public speaking, and meeting facilitation, in community-based settings with a variety of stakeholders.
• Working knowledge of data collection, analysis and performance operation metrics.
• Must be detail-oriented, possess excellent organizational and coordination skills, with the ability to prioritize, multi-task, and meet aggressive deadlines.
• Strong ability to work in close collaboration and in a team, independently and remotely.
• Demonstrated experience working with/connection to people who use drugs, Black, Native, Latino/x, other people of color, and other underserved populations (LGBTQIA+, unhoused, sex workers, youth). 
• Comfort and proficiency in current technology products including, but not limited to: G Suite, Microsoft Suite, webinar software for training, and project management systems.

The work environment for this role is typical of an office setting, with physical demands including sitting, walking, standing, computer use/driving, and occasional lifting. This position requires moderate to heavy travel, up to 21 days of travel per year, as you collaborate with various stakeholders and communities to promote harm reduction and drive positive change.

If you are a strategic thinker, experienced manager, and passionate advocate for harm reduction, we invite you to join our dynamic team and make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of individuals and communities.

The National Harm Reduction Coalition promotes a culture of inclusion and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national or ethnic orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected factor.