CONTEXT

The Issue Networks department connects and supports Lausanne’s Issue Network Catalysts and core teams as they address significant opportunities and challenges in global mission. Each network brings together leaders, expertise, and resources around a particular missional issue to strengthen learning, collaboration, and collective action.

Effective networks need consistent staff support alongside volunteer leadership. This includes clear communication, useful content and resources, healthy participation, dependable follow-through, and connection with the wider Lausanne Movement. The Issue Networks Engagement Specialist provides this practical support according to departmental priorities, network needs, and available capacity.

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Issue Networks Engagement Specialist is a full-time member of the Issue Networks department. The role supports Catalysts and core teams to strengthen network health and participation, develop and share content and learning, use the Action Hub effectively, and connect with relevant parts of the Lausanne Movement. It also coordinates agreed department-wide processes and initiatives, including Catalyst onboarding, shared tools and training, and the Health Assessment rhythm.

Working closely with the Global Director of Issue Networks, the specialist serves as a strategic and practical partner, helping translate broad priorities into manageable next steps. The role is also a key point of connection with the Communications Department, clarifying needs, preparing actionable briefs, coordinating requests, and ensuring follow-through.

REPORTS TO: Global Director of Issue Networks

WORKS CLOSELY WITH: Issue Networks Leadership Team, Issue Network Catalysts and core teams, Communications Department

FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The balance of these responsibilities will be agreed with the Global Director of Issue Networks and adjusted according to departmental priorities, network needs, and available capacity. The role is not expected to advance every area at the same intensity at all times.

Network engagement and development

• Catalyst relationships: Build and maintain trusted working relationships with Issue Network Catalysts and core teams, respecting the time and capacity of volunteer leaders. Maintain a consistent rhythm of engagement and meet with each network at least twice each year to understand priorities, track content plans, review health and engagement needs, and agree on practical next steps.

• Network support: Use careful listening, coaching conversations, and available Health Assessment insights to help Catalysts and core teams clarify a manageable number of priorities, strengthen participation and leadership continuity, access appropriate support, and follow through on agreed actions.

• Connection and collaboration: Identify shared needs and useful connections across networks, and facilitate cross-network learning or collaboration where there is a clear purpose and sufficient capacity.

• Network gatherings: Travel to selected Issue Network gatherings, as agreed with the Global Director of Issue Networks, to deepen relationships, listen to network priorities, and support agreed learning and follow-up.

Content, communications, and digital engagement

• Content and storytelling: In collaboration with Catalysts and contributors, plan, source, commission, develop, and edit agreed Issue Network content. This could include articles, stories, case studies, interviews, webinars, videos, and learning resources aligned with departmental priorities and Lausanne’s communications and content needs.

• Publishing and visibility: Keep Issue Network landing pages and relevant digital content accurate and current; prepare or adapt agreed content for appropriate Lausanne channels; and coordinate publishing and promotion with Communications colleagues.

• Communications coordination: Serve as a key point of connection between Issue Networks and the Communications Department. Work with the Global Director of Issue Networks to clarify priorities, translate agreed needs into actionable briefs, route requests, and coordinate follow-through. This does not require personally completing every production task.

• Action Hub engagement: Help Catalysts and core teams use the Action Hub for communication, resource sharing, learning, and community engagement. Provide practical onboarding, curation, and community support where needed, and coordinate platform-related needs with the appropriate teams.

Departmental initiatives and leader enablement

• New Catalyst onboarding: Own and coordinate the department’s onboarding and orientation process for new Catalysts, maintaining the process and materials, arranging relevant contributions from staff and volunteers, and ensuring that agreed follow-up is completed.

• Catalyst calls and gatherings: Support the planning and delivery of agreed department-wide Catalyst calls, gatherings, webinars, and learning opportunities, with responsibility for communications, materials, and follow-up as assigned.

• Health Assessment rhythm: Support the administration and follow-up of the agreed Issue Network Health Assessment cycle as required and help prepare feedback conversations and targeted support.

• Shared tools and training: Develop and maintain practical toolkits, templates, guidance, examples, and training that respond to recurring network needs, build leader capacity, and reduce unnecessary demands on volunteers.

Movement integration, planning, and accountability

• Movement integration: Help selected Issue Networks and leaders connect with relevant parts of Lausanne and contribute to agreed Movement priorities, consultations, or collaborative initiatives, in coordination with the Global Director of Issue Networks.

• Work planning and reporting: Maintain a clear overview of network engagements, content work, departmental initiatives, and agreed deliverables. Provide regular, concise updates on progress, outcomes, risks, and matters requiring a decision.

• Insight and improvement: Use available network feedback, Health Assessment findings, and content and community data to identify patterns, surface opportunities or risks, and suggest practical improvements to future support.

• Departmental contribution and execution: Participate fully in Issue Networks team rhythms, planning, goal setting, and shared responsibilities. Manage commitments across time zones and cultures with proactive communication, sound judgment, and reliable follow-through.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Professional

• Relevant experience supporting networks, partnerships, or ministry communities, with an understanding of how networks develop participation and collaboration.

• Strong relational capacity and cross-cultural sensitivity, with the ability to build trust, listen carefully, and work well with leaders from diverse contexts.

• Experience working with volunteers, respecting their time, motivation, expertise, and capacity while encouraging ownership and dependable follow-through.

• Coaching and facilitation skills that help leaders reflect, clarify priorities, identify practical next steps, and take responsibility for agreed actions.

• Strategic thinking and sound judgment, with the ability to serve as a thoughtful partner to the Global Director of Issue Networks and connect day-to-day work with wider priorities.

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage concurrent commitments, maintain accurate records, and follow through reliably.

• Initiative, creativity, and self-management, with the ability to work independently and make progress when direction is broad, priorities are evolving, or every detail is not yet clear.

• Clear written and verbal communication in English, with the ability to adapt content for a global audience.

• Confidence using digital collaboration and project management tools, and a willingness to learn relevant content and community platforms.

• Availability for periodic calls across time zones and willingness to travel internationally to selected Issue Network gatherings, as agreed with the Global Director of Issue Networks.

• A background in content creation, communications, or copyediting is an advantage.

Spiritual

• A follower of Jesus Christ.

• Affirmation of The Lausanne Covenant (lausanne.org/covenant).

• Ability to interact sensitively with people from diverse Christian theological perspectives within the global body of Christ, under the common commitment of The Lausanne Covenant.

• Embraces the spirit of Lausanne: humility, friendship, study, prayer, partnership, and hope.

ABOUT THE LAUSANNE MOVEMENT

Founded in 1974 following the First International Congress on World Evangelization, the Lausanne Movement connects leaders and ideas to accelerate global mission together.

Lausanne serves the global church through a shared vision of the gospel for every person, disciple-making churches for every people and place, Christlike leaders for every church and sector, and kingdom impact in every sphere of society.

Learn more at lausanne.org.