Child Welfare Senior Policy Associate

Children Now is a nonpartisan umbrella research, policy development, and advocacy organization dedicated to promoting children's health, education and well-being in California. Children Now also leads The Children’s Movement of California, a grassroots network of more than 2,100 business, education, parent, civil rights, faith, and community-based organizations, as well as thousands of individuals, working together to make children a top priority in public policy. Learn more at www.childrennow.org.

Position
We are seeking a highly-skilled, detail-oriented, and self-motivated Senior Policy Associate to support Children Now’s substantial child welfare advocacy portfolio.  This position plays a central role in developing our policy positions and proposals, which determine our advocacy efforts at local, state and federal levels. As a part of the policy team, this position plays a critical role in integrating Children Now’s child welfare work with the work of the health, education and early childhood education teams and includes applying a racial equity analysis to the child welfare and related systems that impact children and their families.  The Senior Policy Associate would also participate in developing publications about child welfare policy for public release.  This is a full-time position reporting to the Child Welfare Senior Director and will be located in our Los Angeles office with work travel required.

Candidates should be knowledgeable about the child welfare field and other issues impacting vulnerable youth, and highly skilled at data analysis and research methodology. Applicants should have experience with policy development and advocacy.  Applicants should be excellent writers and communicators. Experience also with education policy desired. We are seeking applicants that exercise good judgment in all situations and are flexible, collaborative, and solutions-oriented. This position requires someone with a strong work ethic, excellent project management skills, and who thinks strategically, takes initiative, collaborates effectively, and has a deep commitment to racial equity and Children Now’s mission.

Primary Responsibilities

• Under the primary supervision of the Senior Director of Child Welfare Policy, set goals, develop strategies, conduct policy and advocacy work to advance Children Now’s comprehensive child welfare agenda;
• Manage specific policy and advocacy projects, both in collaboration with other policy staff and as an   independent lead, including contributing to project planning and strategy and ensuring execution of deliverables;
• Apply knowledge of research methodology and data analysis to projects and publications to inform content;
• Support strategy development of new child welfare and related issue areas;
• Represent the organization effectively through engaging individuals and organizations, conducting presentations throughout the state, and building strong relationships with partners, advocates, policymakers, consultants, and other stakeholders, including participation in key coalitions and development of joint policy strategies with key allies;
• Conduct research and write and develop policy briefs and fact sheets, and assist with the production and distribution of publications;
• Assist in data gathering and analysis, and conduct literature reviews and research various topics using academic, on-line and other resources;
• Provide content support to other teams, including other policy areas (such as health, K-12 education, and early childhood), research, communications and The Children’s Movement of California;
• Track legislation, policy developments, and research related to Children Now’s issue areas;
• Write grant reports and updates, write or otherwise contribute significantly to proposal development, and support relationships with current and prospective foundation, corporate and individual funders;
• Conduct email, phone and in person engagement efforts for specific informational or advocacy campaigns at the state, regional and local levels, including fast paced, quick-turn-around campaigns related to specific policy opportunities, particularly changes or actions in the political arena;
• Build and support coalition development via The Children’s Movement and other efforts and convene coalition partners as needed; and
• Support marketing, communications and operations functions and performs other duties as required.

Qualifications   

• Experience with child welfare or related policy and legislative advocacy;
• Substantive knowledge of state and local child welfare policy and programs;
• Experience with research methods and data analysis;
• Knowledge of education policy and programs desired;
• Knowledge of health and early childhood systems and policies highly valued;
• Bachelor’s degree required and advanced degree in public policy or related field strongly preferred;
• Knowledge of California’s political system;
• Ability to advocate for and condense complex policy recommendations;
• Exceptional written, oral and interpersonal communication skills; Spanish language fluency a plus;
• Ability to contribute to non-profit development and grant writing;
• Skills to effectively build and manage relationships with colleagues, policy makers, partners, community-based organizations, reporters, and funders.
• Effective multi-tasking abilities and strategic and efficient time management skills;
• Excellent project management abilities, including the ability to lead early planning and strategy development, incorporate a wide range of contributions of colleagues, partners and stakeholders, and manage multiple components and different stages of implementation;
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail;  and
• Highly flexible with a positive attitude and a willingness to take on a range of assignments and to support multiple projects according to priorities.

Compensation: Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.  Generous benefits.

Children Now is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to staff diversity.

To Apply: Applications must include 1) cover letter 2) resume 3) brief writing sample (no more than 5 pages; excerpts are fine) 4) three to five references, including supervisors. Please send and address all correspondence to:

Children Now
Attn: Child Welfare Senior Policy Associate Position Search
1404 Franklin Street, Ste 700,
Oakland, CA94612
Fax: 510-763-1974
E-mail: jobs@childrennow.org

E-mail applications with attachments in Microsoft Word or PDF format only. We do not accept phone inquiries regarding the position, please do not call. Posting closes Friday, October 27, 2017.