Community Engagement & Development Officer

eastwestcenter; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 91,366 - 111,670; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement savings with company match

Paid holidays

Paid vacation and sick leave

Career growth opportunities

Supportive work environment

Job summary

The East-West Center in Honolulu is seeking a Community Engagement Coordinator to enhance relationships with Pacific Island communities. The role requires a graduate degree and at least five years of experience in community relations and program development.

Key responsibilities include coordinating engagement strategies, managing community-focused initiatives, and ensuring effective collaboration with various stakeholders. A competitive salary starting at $101,518.65 is offered, along with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• At least five years of relevant professional experience with U.S. Government or international organizations.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate community engagement with multiple stakeholders.
• Assist the Director in community relationship development.
• Monitor and provide strategic advice on Pacific Islander community issues.

Skills

Community engagement coordination

Grant proposal development

Budget management

Office practices and procedures

Cultural competence with Pacific communities

Education

Graduate degree (Master’s or higher)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Google Suite

Zoom

Skype

Job description

Responsibilities

• Community and regional liaison and strategic relations – work with Director to coordinate engagement in state, national, and regional community‑based, community‑focused organizations
• Undertake specific community engagement tasks including designing data collection instruments (surveys) and communiques, ensuring relevant community stakeholders are consulted at appropriate times in program activities
• Design and deliver small and large‑scale community facilitation and engagement projects
• Assist the Director in developing community relationships including communications with other Pacific‑focused entities
• Represent PIDP in important local, regional, and/or international community‑focused engagements where the Director is unable to attend and the area of focus falls outside the roles or expertise of other members of PIDP and/or the Center
• Regularly monitor issues and trends of significance to Pacific Islander communities at the local and national levels and provide strategic advice to the Director on areas where PIDP could/should usefully participate or support community development
• Actively monitor and participate in Pacific Islander communities’ online discussion fora, social media, and other websites for community engagement opportunities and initiatives
• Identify media opportunities and promote community engagement projects, events, and initiatives
• Work closely with PIDP Regional Engagement Officer to ensure synergies and connections between local, national, regional, and international initiatives
• Contribute to local, national, and regional community‑ and scholarly‑based research, education, training projects and seminars, workshops, and conferences for intercultural exchange of knowledge, experiences, and research results as part of the overall PIDP community and regional engagement strategy and help to maintain cooperative links with other institutions, agencies, and organizations involved in these projects
• Assist with official functions in fulfillment of PIDP’s strategic goals and with regional meetings as appropriate. Must follow protocols appropriate to organizations and their representatives, and utilize the highest level of discretion, when dealing with high level officials and leaders of Pacific Island nations
• Works cooperatively with the other research, dialogue, outreach, education, and training programs of the East‑West Center
• Collaborate with Oceania researchers in the design and deployment of collaborative, community‑based research on issues of emerging importance to Pacific Islander communities
• Assist with external funding objectives for PIDP
• Ensures the timely preparation of program reports, evaluations, informational materials, consultant contracts and other agreement instruments (e.g. Memorandum of Understanding, Cooperative Agreement) to further PIDP goals

Qualifications and Skills Needed for the Role

Education and Experience – Graduate degree (Master’s or higher) in a field relevant to the position and work performed. At least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience within the U.S. Government and/or international organizations, including experience working across the Pacific region and with Pacific Island governments, communities, leaders, and regional, national, and multilateral institutions.

Demonstrated Ability – Demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize and coordinate work involving a wide variety of tasks; to take initiative and work independently and cooperatively in following through on assignments; to assume responsibility for whole areas of work and integrate information from relevant sources; to gather and/or prepare background materials; to work and deal effectively with a wide variety of cultures and with people of diverse cultural backgrounds; to work under the pressure of deadlines and competing demands; to acquire and maintain knowledge of and appropriately apply various policies and procedures; to establish and maintain accurate files and records; to adapt to changes and exercise good judgment in dealing with a variety of situations; to perform effectively in a non‑routine work environment; to work effectively as a team member; and to appropriately handle confidential information; to work creatively within a set budget and use innovation to find ways of more effectively managing resources.

Knowledge – Office practices and procedures; budget management; correct English grammar, punctuation, spelling, and word usage; secure records management; office machines and equipment; proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat Professional and other equivalent applications; proficiency with Google Suite, Microsoft 365, or other work sharing platforms and meeting software such as Zoom and Skype. The incumbent should also possess a strong understanding and appreciation of Pacific culture and ways of operating.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing and monitoring grant proposals and projects involving multiple units and agencies in the Pacific region.

Salary and Benefits

The annual salary for this position starts at $101,518.65 with an attractive benefits package that includes health insurance, retirement savings with a generous company match, paid holidays, as well as paid vacation and sick leave.

• Competitive Salary and Benefits
• Career Growth Opportunities
• Supportive Work Environment

As required under Title IX, the East‑West Center does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational programs or activities it operates, including admissions and employment.