Associate III for Migration Accompaniment Ministry

Company: Presbyterian Church USA
Location: Louisville
Posted on: June 1, 2025

Job Description:

OverviewThe national offices of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), based in Louisville Kentucky, serve with mid-councils, congregations, worshipping communities, and partner organizations to carry forth the mission of Jesus Christ. Approximately 400 individuals, diverse in race, age, gender, sexual orientation, faith, skills, and more, come together as colleagues to work for a world where justice reigns, peace prevails, and God's love extends to all people. This community comprises the staff of national entities: the Interim Unified Agency, the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, Presbyterian Women, and the Administrative Services Group.Position Purpose:The Associate for Migration Accompaniment Ministry (Ministry with Immigrants) will lead and support the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s humanitarian and justice-focused response to refugees, asylum seekers, and other migrants, with a deepened focus on the impact of recent shifts in U.S. immigration policy.--This is a 12-month term position as part of the Interim Unified Agency's structural transition. The interim will be eligible to apply for any future permanent role. The role is a deployed position, requiring quarterly U.S. travel and occasional international travel.Roles and Responsibilities (list in order of priority):Assess and Advise on Refugee and Asylum Engagement:--Monitor the evolving immigration landscape, including U.S. asylum policy, enforcement trends, international displacement crises, and humanitarian statuses.Collaborate with Office of Immigration Issues and Office of Public Witness to provide timely and coordinated theological, humanitarian, and policy guidance to mid councils and congregations.--Advise PDA/IUA staff, and the PDA Advisory Committee, on emerging needs and priorities for PCUSA engagement with refugees, asylees, and internally displaced persons (IDPs).Strengthening Integration:Act as a primary bridge between PDA and the Office of Immigration Issues (OII), ensuring coordinated strategies and responses.--Actively engage and consult with Intercultural Congregational Associates to support and resource congregations directly connected to migrant and immigrant communities in the PC(USA).--Work alongside Office of Immigration Issues to design training, accompaniment tools, and theological reflection resources rooted in Reformed theology and justice.Supervise Mission Specialist (or Mission Associate):--Supervise the Migration Accompaniment Ministry Mission Specialist for Domestic Refugee Ministries (or Mission Associate), ensuring necessary training, support, and integration into PDA/MAM's broader mission.--This includes adapting to the emerging structures of the Interim Unified Agency and maintaining collaboration with the Migration Round Table.Grantmaking:--Oversee Migration Accompaniment Ministry grantmaking to domestic refugee situations, serving as point of contact for grant applications, convening grant teams to review and communicate approvals. Work with other PDA staff to ensure the grants are processed and funds are transferred. Track grant deadlines for reporting.--Working with the Associate for International Program Administration and the PDA International Grants Team, identify potential grant opportunities to respond to refugee crises and internally displaced people outside the U.S., vetting new grant partners, reviewing grant proposals and providing technical assistance.Lead Special Projects and Stakeholder Engagement:--Develop and lead special projects as necessary to respond to emerging needs, changes in U.S. laws, and global refugee situations.--Pilot new approaches to refugee ministry and ensure opportunities for ongoing dialogue with local churches, refugees, asylum seekers, ecumenical partners, and other stakeholders to inform program development, coordination, and implementation.Deepen Advocacy and Public Witness:--Collaborate with Office of Public Witness and Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations to amplify the church's advocacy voice in Washington, D.C., and at the United Nations on migration justice, refugee rights, and global displacement.--Participate in advocacy campaigns and mobilize Presbyterians for public action in alignment with GA policy and lived congregational realities. Contribute to drafting, statements, and alerts addressing root causes of forced migration, immigration detention, and border justice.Public Speaking and Educational Resources:--Represent IUA/PDA through public speaking events at churches, mid councils' gatherings, or other venues to inspire and equip the PCUSA's ministry with refugees and asylees.--Design workshops, adult education curricula, and other educational materials to support congregational engagement.--Collaborate with PDA Communications staff to develop materials for PDA's online presence, including blog posts, web content, and social media updates and funds development.--Develop downloadable and print resources for congregational use, such as toolkits, study guides, and resource lists.--Partner with PDA Story Ministry to create film and video resources.Essential Position Requirements:BA, required, Master's degree preferred, and/or commensurate life/professional experience Theological training or equivalent life experience/competency3 years experience in refugee/asylum service and advocacy, connection with ecumenical and interfaith partners in refugee and asylum networks--Management of refugee and asylum programs in the field--Supervisory and team building skillsExcellent written and verbal communication skills.NetworkingSelf-starter and comfortable doing multiple tasksEcumenical experience and understandingProgram development and evaluationCompetency with Microsoft Office programs, including PowerPoint. Zoom and Teams for hosting on-line meetings and webinarsExperienced facilitator and effective listeningHelpful Skills:The ability to use English and another language.Have a deep understanding and commitment to cultural and racial ethnic inclusiveness. --Values diverse groups, ethnicities, genders, communities, cultural constituencies and points of view. --Able to relate well to people from all walks of life and of varying theological perspectives.--Physical Requirements:-- Able to travel long distances, sometimes remote locations--Required Competencies:--Collaborative: Works together in an inclusive community, invites input, shares ideas and seeks the best ways to accomplish common goals.Accountable: Takes responsibility for actions and works with integrity, transparency and love.Responsive: Responds to the voices and needs of the church by being timely, helpful, enthusiastic and mission-centered.Excellent: Works with energy, intelligence, imagination and love.Cultural Proficiency: Understands and values differences in various cultures within the organization. Manages dynamics of cultural differences within a work group. Adapts to cultural diversity by continuously learning about differences and creates opportunities for staff to learn about one another.Life / Work Balance: Recognize the importance of rest and renewal and maintain an appropriate balance between work life and personal life by adapting to changing needs at work, taking time to pursue personal interests, seeking others' help and discernment when needed and responding appropriately when they are overcommitted or when faced with stressful or dynamic situations.We believe a balanced life, with time for work, leisure, and spiritual nurture, makes us healthier and more productive colleagues at the Presbyterian Center.The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees including Medical, Dental, Pension Plan, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending accounts, 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan, Vacation Days, Sick Days, and Paid Holidays.Our Commitment:Our faith in God inspires our commitment to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and is grounded in scripture, the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and actions of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is committed to being not only an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the U.S. government, but with the inclusion of gender identity and sexual orientation as well.Candidates from Presbyterian communities in the global south and other historic Presbyterian Communities of Color, preferably with theological training and fluency in languages other than English, are encouraged to apply.----PI1a0e091491fe-25660-37583534

Keywords: Presbyterian Church USA, Bowling Green , Associate III for Migration Accompaniment Ministry, Other , Louisville, Kentucky