THE ORGANIZATION
Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights helps people
living in poverty or danger improve their lives and realize their human
rights. From a refugee fleeing violence and torture to a public housing
resident trying to escape the cycle of poverty, Heartland Alliance helps
people in the toughest of circumstances—who often have no place else to
go. For more than 100 years, Heartland Alliance has provided hope,
opportunity, and solutions—through both services and advocacy. Our work
spans across four key areas, creating paths from crisis to stability and
on to success: Housing, Health Care, Economic Security, and Legal
Protection.



THE POSITION

The Midwest Coalition for Human Rights (MCHR) is seeking a full-time
Human Rights Coordinator to support and implement “Strengthening the
Midwest Human Rights Network,” a two-year program funded by the Mertz
Gilmore Foundation. As part of this program, the Coordinator will work
with diverse regional partners to increase the effectiveness and
visibility of the MCHR to promote and protect human rights in our
region. The objectives of the project are to: 1) coordinate effective
issue-based networking and campaigning in the Midwest region; 2)
increase the impact of the Coalition’s project work through media
outreach and web-based communications; and 3) carry out public education
and issue-based training on human rights issues of significance to our
region.

The Coordinator will be responsible for working with Coalition members
to develop and implement a communications strategy. For the Coalition’s
Detention of Immigrants in the Midwest project, the Coordinator will be
responsible for working with Coalition members to meet project goals,
identify potential partner organizations, build the capacity for each of
these organizations to address campaign issues using a human rights
lens, and develop strong networks among partner agencies on a regional
level. The Coordinator will work closely with a second Coordinator based
in Minneapolis who is responsible for carrying out objectives related
to the Coalition’s other campaign areas: (a) Rights of Workers, and (b)
Torture. The Coordinator will report to the Steering Committee of the
Midwest Coalition and will be based at Heartland Alliance in Chicago.
Some regional travel will be required to carry out the program
objectives.



REQUIREMENTS

Education and/or Experience: Bachelor’s degree required and Masters’
degree preferred. Minimum of two years of experience in human rights
field and/or communications work required.



Communication Skills: Knowledge of: principles and practices of
communications and public information techniques through different
mediums, including print, television, and internet; writing and editing
techniques for a variety of audiences.

Ability to: assimilate and convey Coalition messages on a variety of issues in a succinct and compelling way and tailored to different audiences; write effective copy, press releases,
design and layout electronic and print newsletters and website pages;
work independently with limited supervision; be goal-oriented and
multi-task; have a diplomatic presence; develop and maintain good
working relationships with a wide variety of Coalition members and
partners; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.