Location
Silver Spring, Maryland
Inspired by the life of Jesus and by our founder Catherine McAuley, the Sisters of Mercy work toward a just world for people who are poor, sick, and uneducated. As an international community of vowed women, our mission is to respond to unmet needs, through direct service and seeking ways to change unjust systems.
Job Purpose
The primary purpose of the Director of Institute Justice Team is to provide organizational leadership and to guide and supervise the work of the Institute Justice Team which includes member representatives including the internationality of the Institute. The Director also provides direct guidance and supervision of Institute Justice Team Members based in the United States. Collectively, the Team is responsible for planning and implementation of the education, advocacy and organizing of the Mercy network in responding to the Critical Concerns and justice concerns of the Sisters of Mercy.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Organization Leadership
Works collaboratively with the Institute Leadership Team (ILT) of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas to set and advance the mission and the strategic priorities and policies related to our Critical Concerns and the work of justice.
Advises ILT on matters of Justice, including the engagement of Mercy’s voice in the public square.
Works collaboratively and strategically with the Institute Office of Anti-Racism and Racial Equity to address the Critical Concern of Racism and its intersectionality with the other Critical Concerns.
Works collaboratively and strategically with the Institute Communications Officer to address the Critical Concern and the work of justice.
Works collaboratively and strategically with the Director, Climate and Sustainability to address the Critical Concern of Earth and its intersectionality with the other Critical Concerns.
Based on direction provided at Chapter[i], leads planning, prioritization and development of strategies that engage Mercy in the work of justice and addresses with Critical Concerns and direction provided at Chapter.
Ensures communication and coordination of justice work with Mercy Investment Services and Mercy Global Action at the UN, Mercy International Association.
Cultivates relationships with Mercy Volunteer Corp, Mercy Education System and Conference for Mercy Higher Education for justice resourcing and collaboration around the Critical Concerns and the work of justice.
Team Leadership
Convenes Institute Justice Team members regularly to set priorities and develop a deeper understanding of justice issues for Mercy’s engagement.
Provides leadership in developing Justice annual goals, materials, timelines, yearly budget and implementation of the justice plan.
Recruits, hires, trains and supervises Institute Justice Team members based in the United States.
Builds a dynamic team that shares responsibility, works together effectively, and engages both strategically and reactively when necessary.
Provides leadership to and facilitates planning with the Institute Justice Team in implementing Institute-wide initiatives on the Critical Concerns and the justice work of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas.
Resourcing on Justice Issues
Develops Annual advocacy strategy and efforts in response to the Critical Concerns and the work of justice, grounded in the experience of the most impacted people and communities, and the Earth.
Cultivates international relationships and advocacy strategy to address Critical Concerns and justice issues across the institute, driven by the experience of people on the ground.
Ensures that national and international policies are analyzed to determine intersection with Critical Concerns, impact on people and Earth and Mercy’s role in responding.
Coordinates the organizing of Mercy sisters, associates, companions and ministry partners for action responses to the Critical Concerns and issues of justice.
Assures development of education and action resources, educational experiences, and communication opportunities to further the Critical Concerns and issues of justice.
National and International Coalition Work
Represents Sisters of Mercy in justice and faith-based coalitions, taking leadership when appropriate given Mercy’s priorities and knowledge.
Works collaboratively and in coordination with Leadership of Women Religious (LCWR) on justice initiatives.
Assures the building of working relationships with groups and coalitions with similar interests to collaborate on efforts related to the Critical Concerns.
Explores partnerships and coalition membership with a prioritization for engagement through a lens of the Critical Concerns.
Additional Duties and Responsibilities
Accomplishes all tasks as appropriately assigned or requested.
Qualifications
Education, Competencies, and Experience
To perform the job successfully, an individual should have the following education, competencies, and experience.
Bachelor’s Degree or certification in Social Justice, Theology, Public Policy or related field and Administration.
At least 10 years of professional experience and/or training, preferred in justice ministry leadership.
Experience and education requirements may be satisfied with equivalent combination of education and experience.
Understanding of, and support for, the mission and values of the Sisters of Mercy
Familiarity with Catholic structures and Catholic Social Justice teachings.
Understanding and appreciation of traditions and culture of Sisters of Mercy
Experience in working with marginalized population.
Comprehension of levels of racism: individual, interpersonal, institutional and structural racism and some experience/training in addressing structural racism.
Computer proficiency and experience with Microsoft Teams, Word, Outlook, Access and PowerPoint.
Ability to travel occasionally.
Language Skills
Ability to speak Spanish preferred.
Ability to read; analyze; and interpret current events and professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations.
Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals.
Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and group situations to Institute Leadership, affiliates and others.
Americans with Disability Specifications
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here 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 qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk, sit; speak; hear; use hands to handle objects. The employee may be required to occasionally bend, stoop, twist and/or lift and carry up to 20 lbs.,
The employee will be required to operate office equipment such as computers, telephones and fax machines and work with manual filing systems.
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedures, and manuals. Ability to speak effectively with other employees, members, and supervisors.
Work Environment
Work is primarily performed in a modern office environment.