Program Coordinator, Waponahki Program

The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker religious organization that promotes lasting peace with justice, as a practical expression of faith in action. Drawing on continuing spiritual insights and working with people of many backgrounds, we nurture the seeds of change and respect for human life that transform social relations and systems.

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POSITION DESCRIPTION

TITLE:                                                             Program Coordinator, Waponahki Program

JOB CATEGORY:                                           Exempt (Salary)

STATUS:                                                         Full-Time

TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT:                            Regular

DIRECT SUPERVISOR:                                 Northeast Regional Director

REGION/UNIT:                                             US/CENTRAL OFFICE      

LOCATION:                                                   Perry, ME, USA  Hybrid.

DATE APPROVED:                         September 2024                                          REVISION DATE:                            December 2025

GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Waponahki Program seeks to nurture the reemergence of indigenous spoken languages that embody healing, culture, and economies of wellness. The program targets linguicide, generational trauma and genocide through an increased Waponahki speaking community, learning and employing the teachings (on healing, culture, economies of wellness) embedded by Waponahki ancestors in the language, and through living a life of Ceremony.

The Program Coordinator will be responsible for supporting programmatic efforts that align with AFSC and local and state-level community perspectives and participate in AFSC national and global strategic efforts towards systems change. The Program Coordinator is also responsible for supervision of volunteers, participation in fundraising activities, and development and oversight of program plans, budgets, and finances, and nurturing and receiving guidance from the program committee.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Provide overall leadership and management to the Waponahki Program.


• Support and provide leadership for current and new programmatic initiatives that further the mission of the Waponahki Program.


• Provide training, mentoring, leadership development and other kinds of support as appropriate to Waponahki community members.


• Develop informational and educational resources and trainings on language rematriation, the impact of colonization and linguicide on Waopnahki communities, solidarity economy best practices, trauma and healing, community land trusts, and other issues identified by Waponahki community members. Serve as a resource for the community and the general public. 


• Build and strengthen relationships with partners and organizations around issues relating to just economies, just peace and just migration.


• Ensure consistent program communication, including partner email updates, website / blog development, and growing the program’s online social media presence.


• Engage in effective program planning to include the development and implementation of clearly stated and observable goals and objectives.


• Obtain and monitor the human and fiscal resources needed to achieve program goals and objectives. This includes budget creation and management, working with the grants department to plan and evaluate funding requests and reports, maintain relationships with current funders and supporters / research and build relationships with prospective funders; review budgets annually and mid-year with regional leadership; work with program staff and finance / grants departments to ensure grant expenditure tracking; support program staff where appropriate with monthly expense reporting


• Design, establish and maintain an ongoing process of program assessment and learning, evaluation for program work, supervising staff in utilizing best practices for reporting and data monitoring.


• Recruit and/ or maintain a local program committee of volunteers who will help to (a) season ideas related to program work, (b) network with a cross section of the community, especially with persons where programs are offered, and (c) assist in carrying out program work as volunteers.


• Assist in planning and supporting outreach to Friends and inter-faith groups in the region. Actively participate in internal meetings and collaborations within the Just Economies and Just Peace thematic area, and as needed, across other themes.


• Supervise volunteers.


• Regular attendance and punctuality are required.


• Operates safely in all conditions and follows policies and procedures.


• Other duties and projects as assigned.

SUPERVISORY / MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS

N/A

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in related field required.


• Minimum 5 years of personal or professional experience in program or community leadership required.


• Additional experience working with intergenerational groups preferred.


• Ability to research and analyze current and unfolding issues, policies, and legislation; to organize information; and to articulate implications.


• Demonstrated ability to respond creatively to issues and concerns as they emerge, initiating a project and carrying it through to its conclusion with timeliness and relative independence.


• Demonstrated expertise in social change work including tools for monitoring, evaluation and learning


• Ability to work evenings and/or weekends and to travel, as required.


• Ability to work effectively independently and within a team environment.


• Experience with standard Microsoft Office and related technology.


• Must be capable of working under tight time constraints in a high-volume environment with multiple priorities.


• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.


• Respect for Quaker values and testimonies. Knowledgeable and supportive of the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee including non-violence and the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.


• Respect for and sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, racial, gender and religious diversity and familiarity with non-violent approaches to problem solving.


• Ability to organize, plan ahead and prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.


• Demonstrated dedication to the principles of fairness, equity and inclusion in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

COMPENSATION

The AFSC offers a competitive Total Rewards package.  This position is Exempt Salary Family: Program Job Code Program Coordinator 3 Minimum Starting Salary $60,000. Comprehensive medical and hospitalization plan; term life, Short Term Disability & Long Term Disability, defined benefit pension plan, 403b match, plus other benefits including vacation, Paid Time Off, sabbaticals, extended leaves, holidays.

The American Friends Service Committee provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.  The policy applies to all terms and conditions or employment including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. 

AFSC’s Central Office and some of its offices in the U.S. are unionized workplaces. This position is represented.

AFSC maintains a deep commitment to a mandate of care for our staff and communities.  The American Friends Service Committee is a smoke-free workplace. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Position duties and expectations change over time.  This job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive, exclusive or exhaustive list of the job functions that an employee in this position may be asked to perform from time to time.  The employee may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. If there is ever a time that you are unsure what is expected of you, you are expected to meet with your manager and ask questions. If you are unsure how to perform a certain task, ask your manager before performing.  The job family and duties of this position will be re-evaluated after twelve months of assuming the position, and every six months thereafter if applicable.