Collaborative Projects Organizer

Colorado Consumer Health Initiative

Mission

The Colorado Consumer Health Initiative (CCHI) is a member-based nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to ensuring barrier-free access to quality, affordable healthcare for all Coloradans.  CCHI brings together a unified statewide voice for healthcare reform, engaging, educating, and empowering consumers and advocacy organizations to identify solutions that overcome barriers to healthcare.  CCHI addresses consumer healthcare issues through policy, legislation, outreach, education, and organizing with consumers and groups throughout Colorado.

Position Description

The Collaborative Projects Organizer is part of an integrated team in a small, dynamic nonprofit agency based in Denver.  The focus of this position is to facilitate strong collaborative projects between CCHI and other organizations in order to expand access to healthcare.  The Organizer will be responsible for convening and implementing the Colorado Voices for Coverage Stakeholder’s Table as well as other convening CCHI partners and allies to work collaboratively on healthcare reform.

Working with the field and development staff, as well as the Executive Director, the Collaborative Projects Organizer will have primary responsibility for carrying out the work plan for the Colorado Voices for Coverage project. This project is funded by a new grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, with project management by Community Catalyst.  CCHI is the lead agency for this grant, working closely with our three main partners:  the Colorado Council of Churches, Business Health Forum, and Colorado Progressive Coalition. 

Responsibilities

CCHI staff work closely in a team environment to carry out the mission and goals of the organization.  Primary responsibilities for this position include:

Organizing and Outreach

• Convene and resource a sustained, diverse, organized and committed coalition of stakeholders on healthcare advocacy
• Outreach to and mobilize new organizations and constituencies not already directly involved in healthcare reform to build a stronger movement
• Develop a process for stakeholder’s table to identify and monitor key healthcare policy developments
• Create a process for stakeholder’s table to make decisions about leadership, resources and mobilization on health policy campaigns
• Utilize and assist in the maintenance of constituent relationship management database
• Organize health care conference in conjunction with stakeholder’s table
• Attend community and coalition meetings and events that maintain and expand the reach of CCHI’s collaboration
• Meeting and event planning and facilitation

Research

• Compile research on health care messaging and affordability
• Replicate research project to assess affordability of health care in Colorado

Education and Training

• Conduct skills building and leadership development workshops with stakeholders  
• Create and conduct healthcare messaging training
• Create materials that incorporate effective health care messaging results of affordability study
• Create tools and materials for stakeholders that help them reach, retain and mobilize their constituencies
• Provide assistance for messaging and communications for stakeholders

Other Responsibilities

• Assist with grant writing, reporting, and other development tasks related to sustainability of project including obtaining new and matching funds
• Participate in strategic planning and capacity building for the organization

Qualifications

Required Skills and Experience           

• Two or more years organizing experience with a strong background in coalition work
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain collaborations with a diversity of people and constituencies 
• Exceptional written and oral communications
• Skilled at managing multiple priorities, working quickly and accurately
• Demonstrated capacity to work independently, meeting benchmarks and deadlines with little day to day supervision
• Ability to absorb complex policy issues and present them concisely and persuasively for a general audience
• Strong experience with facilitation of diverse groups
• Understanding of Microsoft Office; excellent computer skills
• Flexible, team-oriented, values-driven

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience working/volunteering for a nonprofit advocacy organization
• An understanding of the legislative process
• Bachelor’s Degree
• Experience with and/or knowledge of healthcare issues
• Knowledge of member-driven nonprofit organizations
• Understanding of consensus decision-making
• Experience in communications and media
• Knowledge of research methods

This position requires some evening and weekend hours.  Regular travel in state (not always overnight) and some out of state travel is also necessary. 

Compensation and Benefits

The Collaborative Projects Organizer is a full-time, exempt position that reports to the Field and Membership Director.  Salary range is $32,000 - $37,000, depending on qualifications and experience.  CCHI provides full benefits (health, dental, disability) and a competitive leave package.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action

CCHI is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and is working to expand the communities we serve and represent.  We strongly encourage applicants from communities, constituencies, and identities that are under-represented in healthcare advocacy, including but not limited to:  people of color, people with disabilities, low-income people and LGBT people.

To Apply

Submit a resume and a cover letter of no more than two pages in which you respond to the following:

1. What is your background and experience with organizing?
2. How have you built and sustained collaboration among a group of organizations or individuals?
3. Describe any background (if any) or interest in healthcare advocacy or organizing.

This position will remain open until filled; initial review of applications will begin on February 25, 2008.  Please mail or email only, no faxes.

CCHI – Search Committee

1536 Wynkoop Street  #101

Denver, CO  80202

dede@cohealthinitiative.org

For further information about CCHI, please visit our website at www.cohealthinitiative.org.