Tribal Nation Fellowship

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

Position Description

TITLE: Tribal Nation Fellowship

LOCATION: Full Remote
FLSA: Non-Exempt
DIVISION: Missing Children Division (MCD)

DEPARTMENT: Special Programs

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT:

Local or national travel required as needed, estimated at 10%, to include conferences, meetings, NCMEC Headquarters or Regional Offices.

HOURS and SCHEDULE:

This is up to a 12-month opportunity, with a possible extension, depending on the start date of the candidate. The workdays are generally Monday – Friday, flexible based on time zone, and assignment but generally 14 hours per week unless otherwise required or approved by management. There may be occasional weekends and/or evenings to support community events or presentations.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Works under the general supervision of the Executive Director, Special Programs.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
None.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR PUBLIC CONTACT:
On-going contact requiring courtesy, discretion, and sound judgment.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION:
None.

TRIBAL AFFILIATION:
Tribal affiliation with a U.S. Federally recognized Tribe and/or Alaskan Native Village is preferred.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The Fellow will be responsible for strengthening NCMEC’s outreach to Native American, Indigenous, and Tribal communities and support the mission of NCMEC at the direction of the Executive Director of Special Programs and the Vice President of the Missing Children Division. For the 2027 Fellowship, the focus will be on raising awareness among Native youth leaders by fostering relationships with Native & Indigenous youth serving programs and organizations with the goal of building sustainable engagement with the future of Tribal leadership.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ensure NCMEC materials, operations, and outreach program areas of work are culturally appropriate, inclusive, and relevant to Indigenous and tribal communities.
• Share gaps observed in outreach to Tribal communities and provide recommendations to close these gaps.
• Raise awareness for NCMEC staff on Tribal issues.
• Provide feedback on NCMEC outreach, prevention, and operational materials. If applicable, provide translations.
• Help NCMEC continue to build and maintain relationships with Native American, Indigenous, and Tribal communities.
• Develop, implement, or participate in a minimum of three outreach and awareness briefings for Fellow’s Tribal community contacts.
• Attend briefings with NCMEC federal and private partners.
• In collaboration with internal and external partners produce material(s) that provide information or resources in the identified gap areas.
• Conform with and abide by all regulations, policies, work procedures, and instructions.
• Respond promptly when returning telephone calls and replying to correspondence.
• Collaborate with NCMEC internal/external working groups.
• Promote and exhibit support for NCMEC and the cause of protecting children with particular attention to deploying safety and prevention materials.
• Promote a professional image and communicate with others in a professional and courteous manner.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive and case related information.
• Other duties as assigned to further the mission of NCMEC.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent degree and/or work experience combination.
• Because of the intersection with the large number of children reported missing, i.e., abduction, MMIP, missing from care, family abduction, an individual with a background in Tribal leadership, Tribal law enforcement (not currently sworn) and/or Tribal child welfare is preferred.
• Familiarity with Public Law 280 and the Indian Child Welfare Act.
• Basic understanding of holistic approaches to prevention, response, and healing from traumatic missing, abduction, or exploitation incidents, including Native advocacy organizations.
• Experience in bridging the gap in training and prevention between the organizational and family/child level.
• Experience in building trust in Native, Indigenous, and Tribal communities to bridge communication and resource gaps.
• Experience in building relations at the Tribal government level, as well as within outreach and advocacy organizations.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to build cultural awareness.
• Strong attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent computer skills with knowledge of Microsoft Office, Power Point, and familiarity with office equipment.
• Ability to prioritize and multi-task.
• High levels of integrity and confidentiality.
• Ability to work flexible hours, occasional weekends, or nights, to include limited travel as required.
• Adaptability, flexibility, and ability to work as part of a team or in an individual capacity.
• Ability to handle and maintain the integrity and confidentiality of highly sensitive material and information.