Advocacy Coordinator

Job Title:
Advocacy Coordinator
Location:
Houston, TX
Reports To:
Operations Director (or Staff Attorney)
Part-Time

The Advocacy Coordinator will support CAIR-Houston’s advocacy and civil rights efforts by working directly with community members facing discrimination, coordinating casework, and engaging with public institutions and partner organizations. The role combines case management, advocacy, and community education, requiring excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and a strong commitment to justice and equity

• Manage advocacy intakes and casework, including documentation, client communication, and resolution.
• Draft advocacy letters and public statements on behalf of clients and the organization. Communicate with schools, employers, government agencies, and other institutions to resolve civil rights and discrimination cases.
• Assist in developing and publishing public-facing educational materials on civil rights issues.
• Provide support for community outreach initiatives, campaigns, and events in collaboration with the Outreach Coordinator.
• Help prepare press releases, talking points, and occasional social media content related to advocacy.
• Track local and national issues impacting the Muslim community and keep staff and community partners informed.
• Supervise and mentor interns, fellows, and volunteers engaged in advocacy work.
• Work collaboratively with CAIR’s national advocacy and communications teams when needed.

The Advocacy Coordinator will handle a wide range of cases, including but not limited to:

• School-related discrimination: student discipline, bullying, or denial of religious accommodations.
• Workplace discrimination: denial of prayer breaks, hijab-related issues, or unequal treatment.
• Public accommodation issues: discriminatory treatment in businesses, government offices, or public spaces.
• Religious freedom concerns: zoning issues, hate incidents, or denial of religious expression.
• Civil rights violations involving government agencies (e.g., law enforcement profiling, delays in passport/immigration processing, or harassment at airports).

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, social sciences, communications, or related field (or equivalent work experience).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to civil rights, social justice, and diversity.
• Experience in advocacy, client services, or community engagement preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple cases and projects simultaneously.
• Fluency in Arabic, Urdu, Spanish, or other languages spoken in Houston’s Muslim communities is a plus