Lawndale Christian Development Corporation - New Communities Program

LAWNDALE CHRISTIAN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION - NEW COMMUNITIES PROGRAM

Digital Excellence Demonstration Communities Project Manager

Lead Agency:The Lawndale Christian Development Corporation (LCDC) was established in 1987 to bring holistic revitalization to the lives and environments of North Lawndale residents through economic empowerment, housing improvements, educational enrichment, and community advocacy. LCDC is the creation of the LawndaleCommunityChurch, a nondenominational, racially diverse church that has focused on developing community assets and meeting community needs for more than 25 years. LCDC’s work is holistic because we believe that revitalization in Lawndale requires more than developing real estate. Engaging residents in the process, organizing them around issues, enhancing and expanding educational opportunities for youth and providing access to technology and training for youth and adults are also key components of our mission. LCDC has a history of involvement with local and regional economic development projects, and focuses on the economic renewal of North Lawndale. Because of our track record of excellence in community building, the Lawndale Christian Development Corporation was selected in 2003 to serve as the lead agency in Lawndale for a community revitalization project, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation’s (LISC) New Communities Program (NCP). The New Communities Program is a long-term initiative of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation/Chicago (LISC) to support comprehensive community development in 16 Chicago neighborhoods, including North Lawndale. The five-year effort seeks to rejuvenate challenged communities, bolster those in danger of losing ground and preserve the diversity of areas in the path of gentrification.

LCDC is driving a new Digital Excellence initiative to ensure that residents are prepared and engaged in the opportunities of the 21st century.

Background:The Digital Excellence Demonstration Communities(DEDC) pilot program seeksto close the digital divide and demonstrate the power of digital excellence (universal and meaningful participation in technology) to catalyze change at the neighborhood level.Through a coordinated effort, three pilot communitieswill testideas, approaches, and programs that provide individuals, businesses, and institutions with the Internet access, hardware, software, and training they need to fully and meaningfully participate in digital activities; the resulting practical andsustainable programs, financial mechanisms, and partnershipscan then be deployedthroughout Chicago. This programissupported by the City of Chicago and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation/Chicago (LISC/Chicago), and numerous private-sector partnerswith funding from the MacArthur Foundation and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). Each demonstration community is also part of the New Communities Program (NCP), a long-term LISC/Chicago initiative.

Position:Each lead agency will hire a skilled professional who will be responsible for leading and managing the organization’s digital excellenceefforts. The DEDC project manager will collaborate with community stakeholdersto coordinate, facilitate,and leadprogramefforts from planning through implementation and evaluation/assessment. The project manager will represent the local partnership at meetings related to the overallpilot program.This two-year position is funded by the MacArthur Foundation and reports directly to the lead agency’s Executive Director.

Key Responsibilities:

• Direct, manage, and facilitate DEDC projectsand initiatives to ensure their successful implementation.
• Build and maintain key relationships with local educational institutions, libraries, businesses, not-for-profit organizations, community technology centers, and other program partners.
• Collaborate and act as primary liaison with other organizations and staff engaged in citywide DEDC efforts.
• Identify gaps in technology services and programming and recommend policy, strategy and programming as appropriate.
• Define scope, goals, success metrics, and deliverables for each DEDC project in collaboration with management and local stakeholders.
• Develop and deliver full-scale project plansand associated communications documents.
• Draft and submit budget proposals; oversee, coordinate and carry out resource development and grant processes; oversee program funding disbursements; and report on financial activities related to the project.
• Estimate the resources and participants needed to achieve project goals.
• Proactively mange changes in project scope, identify dependencies and potential risks, and devise contingency plans.
• Convene stakeholders both within and external to the community to ensure that project goals are met and/or enhanced.
• Manage continuing cooperation and work of all partners in the DEDC projects through regular meetings.
• Track project milestones and deliverables and deliver progress reports, proposals, requirements documentation, and presentations in a timely manner.
• Prepare written reports on local DEDC activities documenting the impact of the projects’ effectiveness.
• Represent the local DEDC program at citywide pilot meetings and all relevant related functions as required.
• Conduct project close activities including identifying successful project elements and developing best practices and tools for executing and managing similar projects.
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in a related field is required; an advanced degree in community development or technology-related field is preferred
• Five to seven years experience working in a community-based organization or in information technology project management; must have some knowledge and/or expertise on community technology and municipal broadband efforts
• Strong creative problem-solving skills, high degree of comfort in navigating uncharted territory and experience at initiating new projects
• Comfort in both community organizing, as well as public and private sector partnerships
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and direction-setting
• Proven track record in implementing programs in community organizations or social service agencies;experience with technology-related programs and services preferred
• Demonstrated project management experience;formal training in project management methodology is preferred
• Experience at working both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborativeenvironment
• Ability to develop and lead teams in diverse settings
• Must be able to solve problems creatively and communicate solutions effectively
• Excellent writing, editing, and organizational skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent presentation and training skills
• Excellent computer skills and strong proficiency with common hardware and software; experience with project management software preferred
• Excellentunderstanding of technology-related issues, products, and services
• Must be willing to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends

Competitive salary and benefits.

Please direct questions or send resumes to Kim Jackson, Executive Director of Lawndale Christian Development Corp at