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Job Synopsis: The Peace Education Coordinator leads MCC’s church education efforts in the U.S. related to peace and nonviolence. This includes peace theology, conflict transformation, and response to violence (including gun violence prevention, anti-militarism, and mass incarceration). Education efforts involve engaging MCC’s constituency on these peace-related topics by working with MCC regional staff and with denominational and other partners (such as RAWTools) to create resources, conduct local trainings and build capacity for peacebuilding. This includes working closely with regional programs and supporting denominational staff, as well as other MCC staff (e.g., advocacy, international program, MCC Canada), to give overall leadership to the public engagement, capacity building, and networking efforts of MCC U.S. in Peace Education as it nurtures a commitment to Christ’s way of peace among youth and adults in constituent communities, and promotes critical self-reflection on how constituents participate in our national pursuit of war rather than peace. Primary goals include facilitating collaboration among MCC’s domestic programs in the U.S., providing peace education programming and planning strategies, creating educational resources, leading/supporting experiential learning and training opportunities, and building capacity for the biblical commitment to peace and non-violence at individual and systemic levels. The position reports to the Director of National Peace & Justice Ministries, but the location is flexible (preferably, located in an MCC regional office in order to facilitate collaboration with regional staff and constituents). The role of Peace Education coordinator connects very closely to two of MCC’s four strategic directions: #2—Increase responsive engagement across the full range of Anabaptist churches and beyond, with an increased focus on audience-based communications, fundraising and recruitment efforts with a new generation; and, #4—Increase peacebuilding as a key component in all of our relief and development work and expand our efforts for justice and peace.

Qualifications:

Essential:

• At least three years of work experience in peace education or a related field.
• Bachelor’s Degree in peace studies, theology, conflict transformation, restorative justice or related field. Equivalent experience may be substituted in lieu of related education.
• Strong communication skills: written, spoken, and listening;
• Strong ability to lead presentations and workshops.
• Ability to take initiative on projects and work independently.
• Understanding of and ability to articulate biblical perspectives on peace and nonviolence, including the ability to communicate with Anabaptist groups across the political and theological spectrum.
• Working knowledge of adult education principles and practices.
• Demonstration of an intersectional approach to peacebuilding.
• Ability to work with a variety of age groups, including young adults
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and tasks.
• Commitment to anti-oppression principles.
• Ability to work effectively in coalitions and with diverse groups of people.
• Demonstration of spiritual leadership

Employment eligibility: Legally eligible to work in the U.S. MCC offers of employment are subject to a successful criminal background check.

Organizational values and culture: All MCC workers are expected to exhibit a commitment to a personal Christian faith and discipleship; active church membership; and nonviolent peacemaking. MCC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to employment equity. MCC values diversity and invites all qualified candidates to apply.

Safeguarding commitment: Assess, manage and monitor risks related to abuses of power (sexual exploitation and abuse, child abuse, racism, harassment, fraud, among other situations) in program design, implementation and monitoring. General for all staff AND
Preferred knowledge or commitment to learning trauma-informed responses to survivors of abuses of power (sexual harassment, child abuse, racism and exploitation, among others).

Anti-oppression commitment: All Non-Supervisory Staff – MCC expects all staff to actively participate in an organization culture that focuses on dismantling any barriers based on race, economic inequality or gender-based oppression. This includes an expectation to assess and address any barriers within themselves, within their team(s), and within MCC.

 

Key responsibilities: By issue area: Peace education 50%; Response to violence 25%; Restorative justice 25%. By type of work: Capacity Building 80%; Networking 20% Specific tasks and duties: • Capacity Building (80%): provide technical knowledge, skills and best practices to individuals and groups in order to improve or increase their effectiveness as peacebuilders. • Networking (20%): facilitate and build relationships among MCC staff and partners in their efforts to more efficiently and effectively implement activities to reach program objectives. By issue area: • Peace education (conflict transformation, peace theology) (50%) • Response to violence (gun violence prevention, anti-militarism, etc.) (25%) • Restorative justice (mass incarceration) (25%) Key responsibilities: • During the first 3-6 months, conduct listening sessions with MCC staff and denominational representatives to build relationships, raise awareness about current resources and activities, receive feedback on how resources and activities are being used, and determine how the role could more effectively resource the breadth of MCC’s constituents in the U.S. Use this feedback to shape specific activities and approaches in the work. • Provide resourcing and overall leadership to national public engagement on peace education in consultation with MCC executive directors (U.S. and regional), program staff, and the national constituency engagement manager, and with denominational staff. • Design, coordinate and conduct a diverse range of workshops, trainings, and speaking engagements related to peace education, responding to specific requests from the MCCs in the U.S. and supporting denominations. • Provide up-to-date information and develop resource materials on peace education, as well as tools for biblical and theological reflection, from an Anabaptist perspective, in consultation with MCC (U.S. and regional) program and communications staff and denominational staff. • Navigate a very diverse constituency (theologically, politically, culturally) and a complex MCC structure in the U.S./Canada and globally. • Provide consultative and technical assistance on issues within the area of peacebuilding, responding to specific requests from MCC staff and supporting denominations, and in collaboration with other MCC staff focused on peace. • Design, organize and facilitate trainings for young adults on practical peacebuilding with various focus areas as it connects to Anabaptist theology, in coordination with other national and regional staff. • Network and collaborate with other MCC staff working on peace education issues and other shared agenda, including anti-militarism, mass incarceration, gun violence prevention, peacemaking practices and peace theology. • Network and collaborate with supporting denominational staff and committees, church leadership in the Anabaptist community, as well as other national partners and organizations, on peace education issues and other shared agenda, including attending church-wide conferences. • Provide support to national advocacy on peace education in consultation with NPJM advocacy staff. • Serve on national, especially MCC supporting, denominational bodies and institutions, ecumenical networks, and professional organizations and programs in the peace education field. • Develop, monitor, and update program plans throughout the year in consultation with MCC (U.S. and regional) executive directors, program staff, and denominational staff. Other duties as assigned on a temporary basis. Position scope duties and responsibilities: This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities. Travel expectations: At least 25% with more than 50 nights away per year. Physical activity/demands: This position involves a need to assess the accuracy and neatness of work assigned. This position has the constant need to remain in a stationary position for prolonged periods and perform repetitive hand motions.

Medical, dental & vision, 23 days paid vacation, sick time and 10 holidays/year. Life insurance provided, as well as long and short term disability coverage. The retirement plan, with MCC contribution of 7%, begins after six months of employment.

Hybrid in an MCC regional office (i.e., Fresno/Reedley California, North Newton, Kansas, Goshen, Indiana or Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.