Cornerstone CDC is seeking a Contract Specialist to coordinate our collaboration with the West End Plan Steering Committee while actively and meaningfully engaging the community in the West End Planning Process. The West End Plan Steering Committee will lead community engagement activities, partnerships, and correspondences. The Contract Specialist will work under the direction of the Cornerstone Executive Director to directly support the committee in co-designing and facilitating a process that emphasizes resident engagement, inclusivity, transparency, and collaboration throughout the planning process.

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About Us

Cornerstone Corporation is a Christian Community Development Corporation that provides an equitable opportunity for quality, affordable housing to those who would not otherwise have it; empowers constituents to grow their capacity to achieve their life goals with dignity; and collaborates with others for community driven development of the West End neighborhood. The West End Plan is a plan that uses the voices of the people living in the West End and Visitation Park neighborhoods to create a community where everyone can live, work, and play. The plan is intended to guide growth and development in an organized, efficient, and equitable manner. The West End Plan may be adopted by the City of St. Louis to guide sustained community development for the next 20 years.

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The Work

The Contract Specialist will provide at least the following support functions for Cornerstone and the West End Planning Committee:  Support, engage, and coordinate with the West End Plan’s Steering Committee for the duration of the planning period.  Engage and coordinate other neighborhood groups and leaders (e.g., Development Review Committee) as a method of implementing early wins on behalf of the West End plan.

• Collaborate with the West End Plan Planning Team, Cornerstone Corporation’s Community Development Committee, and other community stakeholders to increase neighborhood-wide civic engagement, equitable access to information, communication, and overall neighborhood quality of life.

• Recruit volunteers (e.g., neighborhood residents, business and non-profit leaders, topic experts, etc.) to participate in planning activities and assist in accomplishing the mission of the West End Plan.

• Serve as a representative of the West End Plan at designated meetings.

• Attend local/city/regional group meetings to help inform the planning process and secure resources for the West End Plan Steering Committee.

• Build relationships with residents and other stakeholders to engage in neighborhood-wide conversations 

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Program Management

• Manage and complete all components of select grant-based activities and other key community engagement contracts including managing expenses and overseeing sub-awards or MOU/collaborative partner budgets.

• Complete programmatic reports relevant to key grants and work in cooperation with Cornerstone Corporation’s Executive Director to complete fiscal reports.

• Work with the Cornerstone staff to engage West End residents in complementary programs and services. Coordination of convening other West End groups for the implementation of the West End Plan, and other community initiatives.

• Correspond verbally, in writing, through list-serve/email newsletter, website and via social media with a diverse group of Cornerstone and West End Plan’s stakeholders.

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Project Period January 1, 2021 – December 31, 202

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Project Budget The project budget is $55,000 inclusive of any and all expenses needed for the contract.

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Qualification Criteria

• Demonstrated commitment to racial equity and anti-racist practices.

• Track record of designing and implementing quality programs, including data-driven evaluation and community facing planning, meaningful implementation with an emphasis on community empowerment.

• Experience with leading scaled project management and program management oversight including process design, excellent stakeholder management, troubleshooting, and risk management with a consistent reputation for action, strategy, and strong interpersonal skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.

• Experience with engagement and volunteer management including the ability to coach and cultivate volunteers, and manage and develop highly engaged volunteer teams.

• Priority will be given to candidates that have a familiarity with the planning area (West End and Visitation Park Neighborhoods).

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The Contract Specialist will be successful if an equitable and actionable West End Plan is adopted by the City of St. Louis.

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Proposal Requirements

Those interested in serving in this capacity should submit the following information to the primary contact person no later than Monday, December 14, 2020:

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• Brief proposal with a description of strengths applicable to this project including your approach and understanding of racial equity, and experience with committee management and scaled program planning and implementation;

• Examples of community engagement work; Resume; and Three (3) professional references

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Primary Contact Person: Treena Thompson, Chair, Community Development Committee Cornerstone Corporation board.cornerstonestl@gmail.com