Posted by:
Steve Dubb
Position aims to bolster CDC advocacy on Capitol Hill
The National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations (NACEDA) is a national organization created to support the work of community economic development (CED) associations, local community development corporations (CDCs) and practitioners nationwide. NACEDA is seeking a Director of Policy to assist the association to analyze legislation and advocate to Congress on behalf of its members on a broad range of issues including: housing, community development, social services, and financial literacy. The position also requires writing and editing press releases and editing a biweekly policy newsletter.
A successful candidate must be able to work with policymakers and federal departments whose programs affect CDCs’ work, including: Housing & Urban Development (HUD), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Economic Development Administration in the Department of Commerce, the Office of Community Services (OCS) in the Department of Health & Human Services, and financial regulators.
The Director of Policy will also be expected to assist the Executive Director in developing/managing all aspects of government affairs program. Background in housing, community development, tax, and/or appropriations required. Must know how to frame issues and support advocacy with research. Minimum five years of Hill, trade association or comparable experience necessary. This position requires a self-starter who needs minimal supervision. Attractive salary/benefits package. Located Close to Washington, DC (office has an Arlington location near Court House Metro). Position open immediately. To apply for the position, please send a cover letter with salary requirements and résumé to: info@naceda.org.
The work of NACEDA covers a number of areas, including those identified below:
• NACEDA is a national organization whose membership consists of city and statewide community economic development associations. NACEDA aims to support these groups, promote the efforts of local community development corporations, and build the capacity and reach of the CDC field.
• NACEDA’s National Community Economic Development (CED) Advocacy Project brings CDC practitioners to the table with key national organizations to work toward a common agenda by:
o Convening a national policy committee to gather input from the field, craft positions on public policy issues and develop strategies for their implementation;
o Keeping members up to date on advocacy campaigns and how to participate; through a biweekly newsletter, press releases, action alerts and regular email blasts;
o Working with local CDC members to share success stories and concerns with administration representatives and congressional delegations; and
o Coordinate with other like-minded national and regional organizations working on community development issues to leverage resources and maximize impact.
• NACEDA helps facilitate Peer Interaction and Learning through a number of means, including:
o Inventories, assessment and dissemination of information on members’ capacity building programs and initiatives;
o Analyzing the capacity needs for members in each state association and whether there is adequate training and technical assistance available to meet those needs; and
o Developing plans to address priority needs through cross training CDC staff or members in individual associations’ special areas of expertise, promoting successful peer learning models, or encouraging experienced capacity building organizations to develop new training modules in areas where no quality training currently exists.
• NACEDA holds an annual Policy and Capacity Building Summit each spring.
• NACEDA regular conducts a census of the CDC industry. NACEDA is currently analyzing data collected from nearly 700 CDCs. Census results are scheduled to be released later this year.