Advocacy Coordinator

The Advocacy Coordinator role at Harlem Children’s Zone requires strong organizational, planning, leadership, writing, and communication skills. You should also be proficient in Microsoft Office applications, be energetic and self-motivated, and have the ability to inspire self-esteem in youth. Your leadership abilities will guide a mission-driven staff as you collaboratively work towards the success of our After-School programs.

As the Advocacy Coordinator at Harlem Children’s Zone, your primary responsibilities include overseeing academic enrichment, providing mentorship, coordinating with school partners, supervising tutors, and assessing students’ needs. You'll be tasked with maintaining participant data, evaluating educational programs, and developing long- and short-term instructional plans to ensure impactful educational and social outcomes for all participants.

To apply for the Advocacy Coordinator position at Harlem Children’s Zone, candidates must have a Bachelor's degree and at least two years of experience in educational, case management, social work, or community service settings. A minimum of one year in a supervisory or management role is essential to lead our dedicated team effectively.

The Advocacy Coordinator at Harlem Children’s Zone supports students academically by working one-on-one to identify their diverse needs, overseeing their mentorship with tutors, and developing tailored academic support plans. You'll continually assess students’ educational histories to adapt the assistance provided and ensure that each child is on a path toward academic success.

The schedule for the Advocacy Coordinator position at Harlem Children’s Zone includes on-site work Monday through Friday, with varying hours depending on the specific After-School program. Typical shifts may cover hours from 10 AM to 8 PM, ensuring that coordinators are available to support students during peak times.

In answering this question, highlight specific experiences that relate to youth mentorship, educational programming, or case management. Discuss the roles you've held, any programs you've implemented, and the impact these had on community outcomes. Tailor your response to show that your experiences align with the mission of Harlem Children’s Zone.

Discuss your leadership style and how you would motivate and guide your team toward common goals. Share past experiences where you successfully managed a team, emphasized collaboration, and ensured everyone felt valued and heard. It’s essential to articulate how you would adapt this approach specifically to HCZ’s mission.

Outline specific techniques you've found effective in the past, such as creating a welcoming environment, incorporating diverse educational resources, and utilizing feedback from students to improve programs. Emphasize your understanding of the unique challenges faced by students in our demographic and how you would address these.

Talk about the various methods you would use to assess academic needs, such as reviewing academic histories, conducting one-on-one needs assessments, or gathering input from tutors and teachers. Be sure to connect this to how it informs program improvements and individual student strategies.

Share a concrete example that showcases your data-driven decision-making process. Describe the program, the data you analyzed, and how you used those findings to make specific adaptations. Highlight the positive outcomes this had on students' experiences.

Detail your familiarity with the IEP process, including creating, monitoring, and evaluating IEPs for students with various needs. Mention how you’ve collaborated with educational professionals and families to ensure that the IEPs truly advocate for student success in line with HCZ’s mission.

Discuss your strategies for establishing open lines of communication, such as regular updates, parent meetings, and feedback loops. Highlight the importance of building trust with families, listening to their concerns, and involving them actively in their children’s educational journeys.

Emphasize cultural competence, empathy, and adaptability. Discuss the importance of understanding the varied life experiences that shape children's educational needs and how you would incorporate multicultural exposure in your programs to create inclusive and supportive environments.

Reflect on your personal experiences or values that drive your passion for advocacy. Explain how your commitment aligns with the mission of Harlem Children’s Zone, and discuss specific instances that have reinforced your dedication to social change.

Share your thoughts on establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure student engagement, academic progress, and overall program impact. Talk about the importance of continuous feedback and improvement and how you would use qualitative and quantitative assessments to present findings to stakeholders.