Special Initiatives Coordinator, Illinois African American Coalition for Prevention (ILAACP)

Posted by: Illinois African American Coalition for Prevention

Posted date: Apr-26-13
Location: Chicago

Mission: 
Established in 2005, the Illinois African American Coalition for Prevention (ILAACP) is a statewide, membership-based charitable organization that strengthens early intervention and prevention systems, policies, and programs in underserved communities through culturally-relevant research, training, and advocacy.
Job Title: Special Initiatives Coordinator
Responsible to: ILAACP Special Initiatives Director.
Summary:
The Special Projects Coordinator (SPC) coordinates the Neighborhood Recovery Initiative (NRI) and Mind Exercise Nutrition Do It in Chicago (MEND) projects. The person in this position requires extensive experience with program design, implementation, and evaluation and well as event planning, logistics, and social media based marketing/communications.   
Programs:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                MEND in Chicago (MEND) is an intensive, educational program to improve nutrition and physical activity and reduce obesity among low-income youth in Chicago ages 7 to 13. The MEND 7-13 Program aims to modify the eating and physical activity patterns that underpin obesity among young people through an intensive, after-school, 10-week curriculum that includes two, 2-hour sessions per week as well as an innovative, 21-month maintenance strategy called MEND World. The program is delivered through MEND Delivery Partners (DPs) which currently include Chicago Park District, UIC School Based Health Clinic, Namaste Charter School, and ACTS of FAITH. The program is funded by grants from Chicago Community Trust, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, and Coca-Cola Foundation.
Neighborhood Recovery Initiative (NRI), with funding from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA), is being implemented in twenty-four (24) targeted communities in the Chicago area. The goal of NRI is to reduce risk factors associated with violence and promote protective factors that lead to safer, healthier, and empowered youth, families, and communities. The NRI works through an Implementing Agency (IA) in each of the 24 targeted communities. The IAs are responsible for managing the NRI Program Components: Mentoring Plus Jobs, Parent Leadership, and Reentry Programs – in their community and partnering and subcontracting with other Coordinating Contractors (CC) to the implement the various program components. To ensure that IAs and CCs successfully implement NRI Program Components, these agencies receive year-long technical assistance and support through the NRI Technical Assistance and Networking Project (TANP). The ILAACP manages the TANP. The TANP goals, objectives, and timelines are designed around the NRI Program Components.  
This is a full-time, exempt position. Some out of town travel and Saturday work may be required. 
Specific Responsibilities
MEND in Chicago:

• Work in collaboration with MEND in Chicago Management Team to develop, implement, and monitor training and technical assistance plan goals, objectives, and tasks through a work plan, operating calendar, and budget.
• Work with MEND in Chicago Delivery Partners and MEND Regional Manager to plan, implement, and monitor a comprehensive marketing/communications/recruitment strategy that will assist MEND in meeting or exceeding participant recruitment goals. 
• In coordination with the Special Initiatives Director, build relationships with other key regional stakeholders and partner organizations (e.g. associations, industry groups, community and regional entities) to promote regional awareness of MEND in Chicago, foster/enhance strategic partnerships, and recruit MEND delivery partners. 
• Working with the MEND Regional Manager, coordinate training and technical assistance for local MEND in Chicago delivery teams. This includes scheduling, site selection and arrangements for refreshments when needed, coordinating on agendas and training materials; preparing training packets including evaluation forms; ensuring that TA providers' travel and audio visual equipment needs are met; recording attendance; and recording meeting minutes when appropriate.
• Communicate and coordinate with MEND in Chicago Delivery Partner staff on a regular basis, and monitor site performance through MEND OMMS database.
• Plan and participate in MEND in Chicago Delivery Partner meetings which includes confirming date, time location; emailing meeting notice; confirming meeting attendees; drafting meeting agenda; and transcribing meeting minutes. 
• Contribute actively to the continuous improvement of MEND in Chicago’s processes and content, gathering feedback from local delivery team program managers, trainers, and participants.
• Attend funder sponsored trainings, meeting, and other events as assigned from time-to-time by Special Initiatives Director.

Neighborhood Recovery Initiative:

• Work with NRI TA Management Team to develop a phased training and technical assistance plan that includes required and optional training and networking activities for the group of NRI Implementing Agencies as a whole and for Coordinating Contractors implementing specific NRI Program Components. This includes developing a full-scale TANP plan and associated communications documents for all 23 NRI Implementing Agencies.   
• As TANP needs are developed, work with NRI TA Management Team to identify subcontractors to deliver technical assistance.
• Develop, implement, and monitor training and technical assistance plan goals, objectives, and tasks through a work plan, operating calendar, and budget.
• For in-person and web-based trainings or workshops across NRI program components: confirm trainers/presenters; secure training space; confirm date, time, and location; email training notice; confirm training attendees; and manage on-site registration. 
• In consultation with the NRI TA Management Team, identify and coordinate structured opportunities for shared learning, organizing, policy, and program development, problem-solving and leadership development among the participating NRI IAs and CCs. This includes scheduling, site selection and arrangements for refreshments when needed; coordinating on agendas and training materials; preparing training packets including evaluation forms; ensuring that TA providers' travel and audio visual equipment needs are met; recording attendance; and recording meeting minutes when appropriate.
• Facilitate improved communication, coordination, and collaboration between NRI TA Management Team, NRI IAs and CCs, and TA providers. This includes, but is not limited to, periodically surveying IAs and CCs to determine their satisfaction with TA, as well as to identify future TA needs.
• Identify gaps in TA services and establish effective policies and programs to address the problems; regularly evaluate and assess the effectiveness of the TANP activities and interventions; and make recommendations for program modifications.
• Plan and participate in monthly NRI Management Team meetings which may include confirming date, time location; emailing meeting notice; confirming meeting attendees; drafting meeting agenda; and transcribing meeting minutes. 

Fiscal Management

• Ensure NRI and MEND meet or exceed agreed upon program related goals and objectives while staying within budget. 
• Submit NRI and MEND related purchase orders, travel vouchers, and check requests for organizational review and authorization in a timely manner.

General Administrative & Clerical Support

• Participate in monthly ILAACP staff meetings.
• Increase public awareness about NRI and MEND through internal and external marketing and communications opportunities. 
• Keep abreast of NRI and MEND program changes and events specifically, and ICJIA violence prevention efforts in Illinois, in general.
• Knowledgeably answer inquiries about MEND and NRI as well as ILAACP’s mission, values, and the organization as a whole in a professional manner. 
• Remain abreast of best practices in obesity prevention, mentoring, youth development, youth employment, and violence prevention fields through research, inquiry, and continuous learning.
• Prepare and send formal correspondences.                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
• Provide telephone coverage, take messages, reduce messages to critical information, and return calls within 24 hours.

Mandatory Job Qualifications

Education
MA in Public Health, Social Work, or related field with at least 4 years related experience working with program design, implementation, and evaluation.
Knowledge, Skills, & Experience

• Knowledge of positive youth development and violence prevention programs, policies, systems, research, and best practices.
• Demonstrated experience with community organizing and proven ability to successfully coordinate a statewide network is required.  
• Strong and effective interpersonal, time management and organizational skills required including excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to effectively multi-task and remain detail oriented in a fast-paced, outcome oriented, and fluid work environment.
• Excellent typing ability and high proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite – i.e., Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Project, and Visio - is required.
• Event planning and logistics experience is required.
• A valid Illinois driver’s license and some of town travel required. Ability to work some Saturdays and occasional evenings is required.

Desired Qualifications

Work Conditions

• Overtime may be required to meet project deadlines.
• Sitting for extended periods of time.
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other devices and objects.
• Physically able to participate in training sessions, presentations, and meetings.
• Some travel may be required for the purpose of meeting with clients, stakeholders, or off-site personnel/management.

How to Apply

This job is open for online applications.
The Illinois African American Coalition for Prevention is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.
Qualified candidates may apply online through NPO.net. Please note that we anticipate receiving a high volume of applications and will not be able to confirm or respond to each application. If you meet the qualifications for the position, we will be in contact with you. NO PHONE CALLS OR EMAILS PLEASE.