MDC Rural Forward (http://ruralforwardnc.org) seeks an advanced or graduate-level student to support community-based and community-led technical assistance and consulting services in rural North Carolina.
About MDC Rural Forward
Rural Forward identifies and develops leaders, organizations, and coalitions, especially in rural and marginalized communities. Grounded in the values of PEOPLE, POWER, PROGRESS, and PARTNERSHIP, we provide an array of community-based and community-led capacity-building services including facilitation, training, coaching, relationship brokering, conflict management, and resource development. Rural Forward is a program of MDC, a nonprofit organization based in Durham, NC. Learn more at MDCinc.org.
About the Program Assistant
The goal of the Program Assistant’s role is to strengthen their understanding of rural community-driven capacity-building services and develop relevant skills by supporting MDC Rural Forward staff, community partners, and other constituents. Under the supervision of a Partnership Manager, the Program Assistant will lead a specific project to be determined in consultation with the chosen candidate. The Program Assistant will also support other projects through planning, facilitation, drafting meeting summaries, community outreach and communications, policy research and/or other administrative tasks (no more than 10%).
Specific tasks may include:
- Assisting with planning, coordinating, facilitating, and notetaking for meetings
- Drafting logic models, asset maps, project management tools, and other documents.
- Supporting policy change efforts by researching and summarizing public policy.
- Attending meetings convened by partner organizations.
- Collecting and distributing relevant articles, resources, and opportunities through our email networks and social media outlets.
Key Qualities and Skills
- Experience in community outreach, research, and/or program evaluation
- Excellent oral and written skills to communicate with a variety of audiences.
- A sincere curiosity about rural communities; willingness to explore issues of inclusion, power, privilege, and diversity; and exceptional commitment to personal integrity, professionalism, and excellence.
- Ability to think creatively and collaboratively, while also taking initiative on projects.
- Skilled at detail-oriented customer service and responsive to community and staff needs.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, virtual meeting applications, and internet research.
- Written and oral communication skills in Spanish is a plus.
Commitment
For fall or spring semesters, our expectation is 20 hours per week for four months. For the summer, our expectation is 40 hours per week for three months. Some flexibility is possible. Rate: $17.00/hour + limited benefits.
Office Culture
- Our commitment to our mission and values means sometimes we have long days to be responsive to our community partners and other constituents. We also support our staff in maintaining a strong work/life balance. We take initiative for our own projects, while also working collaboratively.
- The MDC Rural Forward team consists of a Sr. Program Director, 2 Program Directors, 4 Partnership Managers, 1 Program Administrator, and up to 6 Program Assistants. We coordinate our work and support each other through team meetings every other week.
- Our work is primarily done remotely. Occasional travel for in-person meetings in rural North Carolina is possible as public health guidance and organizational policy about the COVID-19 pandemic allows.
- (Optional) Program Assistants may gain insight into non-profit organizations by attending monthly MDC staff meetings.
To Apply
https://mdc.applytojob.com/
MDC Rural Forward
Andrew Loeb Shoenig / andrew.shoenig@mdcinc.org