The Deliberative Fellowship Coordinator is responsible for facilitating the new Deliberative Democracy Fellowship program developed by the National Issues Forum Institute (NIFI). In 2024, NIFI launched the Deliberative Democracy Fellowship to support and fund the development of new Issue Guides that provide a framework for public deliberation and public decision making. Fellows are welcome from a broad range of backgrounds and disciplines who have knowledge and experience with deliberative practices.

The Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the recruitment, training, and development of the Fellows Program and will support the inaugural cohort of Fellows through all aspects of the issue guide development process. This is a 12-month contract position that reports to NIFI’s (interim) executive director, with an expected time commitment of 15-20 hours a month.

Initial review of applications will begin August 30th. Position is open until filled.

The Deliberative Fellowship Coordinator will: 

• Participate in the search process for the Deliberative Democracy Fellows. 
• Help to onboard and provide training or information to the Fellows to ensure they facilitate an effective process in naming and framing and designing an issue guide on a relevant public issue.
• Support the Fellows in designing and facilitating processes to gather public feedback on the designated topic.
• Assist the Fellows in identifying and mobilizing a team to help name and frame the topic and to discuss the results from these framing meetings. 
• Assist the Fellows in developing ancillary support material for the issue guide (ex. moderator scripts)
• Meet regularly with the Fellows to provide mentorship and accountability.
• Work with NIFI administrative/fiscal staff and Fellows to ensure program funds for issue guide development are appropriately spent and accounted for. 
• Facilitate a review process to ensure the issue guides are relevant, nonpartisan and represent a diversity of views and values. 
• Assist in final formatting, production, and dissemination of the issue guide.
• Provide ongoing feedback, mentoring,  and editorial reviews throughout writing process
• Provide guidance to the staff and Board on the future of existing issue guides.

Skills and Qualifications

• Deliberative Writing Expertise - Candidates should possess a strong foundation in deliberative writing, naming and framing issues as demonstrated by at least one or more of the following:
• Co-authorship of published deliberative issues guides on a local or national level
• Previous experience serving on a deliberative writing team to create an issue guide (NIFI or non-NIFI affiliated)
• Successful completion of Developing Materials for Deliberative Forums Kettering Foundation research exchange 
• Attended training sessions on Naming & Framing Issues
• Facilitated training sessions on Naming & Framing Issues
• Knowledge and familiarity with NIFI resources on Naming & Framing Issues

Other Skills 

• Project management experience, especially working with and across multiple teams 
• Strong organizational skills, and the ability to create and meet deadlines 
• Experience in Canva, Adobe InDesign or related software 
• Experience working with diverse Fellows from academic and community settings

Stipend

The Coordinator will receive a stipend of $13,500. 

How to Apply

Send a cover letter and resume to Patty Dineen, NIFI Administrative Officer.

Initial review of applications will begin August 30th. Position is open until filled.