Nonprofit Remote Digest - Issue #534
Negotiation Works is a not-for-profit organization that seeks to improve the lives of people in underserved communities in the District of Columbia area by helping them become more adept at using negotiation to resolve everyday issues and enhance interpersonal relationships, enabling them to achieve long-term personal and economic stability.
Strengthening Connections. Uniting Communities. Transforming Lives. — www.negotiation-works.org Negotiation Works is a new non-profit organization in Washington DC that provides negotiation skills training to homeless women, domestic violence survivors, and people recently released from prison.
Program Manager
Negotiation Works seeks a part-time (20 hours/week) Program Manager. The Program Manager will be responsible for managing all aspects of the Negotiation Works courses taught at designated partner sites, including serving as a liaison between the partner-providers and the volunteer instructors. As the COVID-19 vaccines become more widely available, Negotiation Works will begin to transition its programs back from remote to in-person delivery, and the Program Manager will assist with this transition. The Program Manager will also assist the Executive Director with: evaluation, research, and curriculum development; volunteer recruitment, training, and management; and marketing, communication, and development. A description of Negotiation Works and the position follows. Other than necessary on-site program management and/or teaching activities, which will occur when the public health conditions improve, this job is designed to be conducted remotely.
DESCRIPTION OF NEGOTIATION WORKS
Negotiation Works is a non-profit organization founded in 2018 that seeks to empower people from marginalized communities with tools to resolve conflicts, advocate for themselves and others, and build more stable lives. Its core services involve multi-week, interactive negotiation courses for underserved individuals in the Washington D.C. area.
Individuals returning to the community from prison, women who are experiencing homelessness or living in domestic violence shelters, and others from marginalized communities need strong negotiation skills in order to manage their interactions with case managers, potential employers, landlords, family, and friends. Until now, however, comprehensive, customized negotiation programs have not reached our society’s most vulnerable members. Negotiation Works offers negotiation programs these individuals can use to achieve positive, long-term outcomes such as sustainable employment, stable housing, and stronger social networks. Its signature program is a multi-week, interactive, customizable negotiation course that connects negotiation strategies to relevant, real-life scenarios, such as situations involving child custody, apartment security deposits, and family probate disputes.
Negotiation Works provides its courses in partnership with community service providers and relies primarily on volunteers - teachers, lawyers, law students, social workers, and others - to serve as class instructors. Current provider-partners include: Calvary Women’s Service, Georgetown Pivot Program, Community Family Life Services, Together We Bake, Friends of Guest House, and Southeast Ministry.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, strong negotiation skills become even more critical for the communities we serve. The economic, social, and health disruptions add more uncertainties and pressure to individuals who are already struggling to maintain stability. For example, individuals might have disputes with landlords over rental payments that were suspended during an eviction moratorium, with household members over the use of limited private space, or with case workers over whether they are adequately managing a job search. Moreover, in anticipation of the current restrictions eventually lifting, individuals will need effective negotiation skills as they try to reassemble their lives by, for example, approaching a former employer about returning to a furloughed job or meeting with a human services caseworker about increasing food stamp benefits.
OVERVIEW OF PROGRAM MANAGER’S PRINCIPAL DUTIES
Program Manager’s duties will include the following:
Course Management
Coordinate with partners to determine specific needs for each course
Assemble and manage materials for each course
Manage technology for remote courses
Teach courses, either in-person or remotely, as time permits
Supervise volunteer instructors in preparing, teaching, and debriefing the classes
Gather and input data collected from course participants
Assist with transition from remote to in-person programming
Evaluation, research, curriculum development
Work closely with data analytics team to manage and analyze data
Conduct research relevant to evaluation and curricular design
Assist with modification and customization of curriculum
Volunteer instructor recruitment, training, and management
Work with Executive Director to recruit and maintain a diverse pool of potential volunteer instructors
Assist with initial and ongoing volunteer training
Serve as a liaison between the partner-providers and the volunteer instructors
Marketing, communication, and development
Work with Executive Director as needed on various marketing and communication projects
Assist with development and fundraising activities
QUALIFICATIONS
We are looking for candidates who, based on their life experiences, education, and/or employment background, have the following skills:
At least 3 years of experience in nonprofit work, law, education, dispute resolution, social services, or other relevant experience
Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to deal effectively with a wide range of individuals and organizations
Excellent verbal and written communication and organizational skills, with exceptional attention to detail
Proficiency in using technology, including G Suite (Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Forms) and Zoom
Strong project management skills
Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to and passion for Negotiation Works’ mission
PREFERRED SKILLS:
Experience completing research, evaluation, or performance management projects
Experience managing staff or volunteers
Strong social media skills
Familiarity with graphic design
How to Apply
To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and list of references to melissa@negotiation-works.org. Open until filled.