Associate Director for Advocacy and Engagement

Villanova University, United States

Updated: 8 days ago
Location: Villanova, PENNSYLVANIA
Deadline: ;

Posting Details

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Posting Details (Default Section)


Posting Number: 20243988S
Position Title: Associate Director for Advocacy and Engagement
Position Type: Staff
Location: Villanova, PA
Recruitment Type: Internal/External Applicants
Work Schedule: full-time/12-months
Avg Hours Week
Department: 005-Office of Mission Effectiveness
Position Summary:
This is a full-time position leading advocacy initiatives for the Center for Peace and Justice Education (CPJE), including the development of formation opportunities as well as supervision and mentorship of student organizations. The Associate Director is a core team member of the Center for Peace and Justice Education, providing input and support to Center-wide initiatives and fostering integration between the Center’s co-curricular and academic offerings. The Associate Director also maintains important relationships both on and beyond campus with a range of collaborators in justice and advocacy.
Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. Diversity and inclusion have been and will continue to be an integral component of Villanova University’s mission. The University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University’s mission and values.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Liaise with Collaborators on Advocacy Education and Other Initiatives
  • Liaise with various offices around advocacy opportunities (e.g. Office of Intercultural Affairs; Office of Student Involvement; Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; McNulty Institute for Women’s Leadership; Law School clinics; etc.)
  • Collaborate with the Center for the Common Good on student formation around justice and advocacy, including as the CPJE representative for the Philadelphia Area Social Justice Internship and a possible CPJE representative for the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice
  • Engage with other faith-based justice advocacy opportunities, especially with POWER and the Interfaith Advocacy Cohort
  • Explore new means of advocacy outreach and engagement with the wider community beyond campus (e.g. local partnership, blog development, annual paper on particular justice issue composed by student team, symposium/conference, etc.)
  • Cultivate greater involvement with the Peace and Justice Studies Association
  • Develop connections with Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service, Pax Christi USA, and the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative
  • Support the programming opportunities that arise periodically from the above collaborations.


Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (HHAW) & Advocacy Week (AW)
  • Serve as mentor for student HHAW leadership team, overseeing recruitment, student planning, and evaluation
  • Arrange for logistics and publicity for speakers and events in collaboration with student leaders
  • Maintain related budgets and facilitate student financial activities
  • Cultivate existing partnerships and develop new ones to further the reach and impact of HHAW
  • Reimagine programming and possibilities for Advocacy Week, including more faculty outreach and the various connections and collaborations described in #1

Coordinator of PJ Student Groups
  • Oversee all the student organizations housed in CPJE
  • Maintain related budgets and facilitate the financial activities of the student groups
  • Provide guidance, advisement, and accompaniment to student leaders
  • Provide student training and skill-building opportunities
  • Maintain close relationship with the Office of Student Involvement, especially with regard to student group policies and procedures.
  • Develop connections and collaboration with other student groups across campus who engage in advocacy and activism (ACT, GetWokeNova, CCG student groups including CRS ambassadors, Nurses without Borders, Business without Borders, etc.)

CPJE Team Member
  • Attend and participate in CPJE core team meetings and activities
  • Attend and participate in Office of Mission and Ministry trainings, meetings, and activities
  • Assist with various CPJE programming needs over the year
  • Assist with PJ Internships as needed
  • Assist with the annual Peace and Justice Graduate Symposium as needed
  • Assist in representing CPJE among the Centers & Institutes gatherings
  • Meet with CPJE Director on a regular basis

Development Support for CPJE
  • Serve as CPJE contact to Advancement
  • Draft proposals for funding needs
  • Manage occasional communication with donors
  • Pursue relevant grant opportunities that may emerge

  • Perform other duties and assist with projects as assigned.

NB: With appropriate prior academic training and CPJE Director’s approval, the Associate Director may adjunct teach a 3-credit PJ course or 1-credit PJ workshop.
Minimum Qualifications:
Formal Education
  • Master’s Degree in Theology/Pastoral Ministry, Philosophy, Education, Human Services/Social Work or equivalent required


Work Experience
  • Demonstrated previous experience engaging in advocacy, developing student formation programs, fostering collaborations, and building partnerships.
  • Work Skills (e.g., written and verbal communication skills)
  • Excellent written and verbal communication
  • Skills in working in collaborative environment
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Cultural competency and the ability to relate to and work with diverse members of the campus community and beyond

Specific Job Knowledge
  • A general understanding of contemporary peace and justice issues as well as a familiarity with the history of activism and advocacy.
  • An understanding of the Catholic social tradition
  • Equipment Knowledge
  • Must have a valid Driver’s License and acquire Van Drivers certification
Preferred Qualifications:
Formal Education
  • Doctoral degree in one of above-named fields preferred


Work Experience
  • Experience in higher education preferred

Specific Job Knowledge
  • An understanding of student programming, organizations, and leadership in higher education
  • An understanding of the mission of Catholic higher education in the Augustinian tradition
  • Equipment Knowledge
  • Competency with Microsoft Office suite, including Outlook, Teams and Forms and comfort in working with social media platforms, including Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook is preferred. Training can be provided.
Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours:
Special Message to Applicants:
Posting Date: 05/01/2024
Closing Date (11:59pm ET):
Salary Posting Information:
Commensurate with experience.
Salary Band: I
Job Classification: exempt

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