Policy Research and Advocacy Manager

About the role

ISLA (Immersion for Spanish Language Acquisition) seeks an experienced bilingual (Spanish and English) individual to join our dynamic leadership team dedicated to building community and leadership through educational Spanish language and cultural  immersion programs in North Carolina. You will lead the ISLA Padres program as the Policy Research and Advocacy Manager. That includes salient research projects that involve advocacy in areas such as early childhood, learning differences, emerging bilinguals, teacher recruitment & other early childhood through 12th grade focus areas that impact the Latinx/o community. You will also be versed in the status of the changing  educational system in North Carolina, equity in education,  the resources available for the Latino/x monolingual /bilingual families, and policy engagement at regional and state levels. Expect to work closely with ISLA’s Executive Director to provide thought leadership and strategic guidance in shaping ISLA’s overall policy direction.

Key responsibilities

Policy advocacy 

• Develops initiative and partnership to engage and influence systemic change in the North Carolina educational system. Amplified the barriers and challenges that Latinx/o families and their children faced when accessing resources in the state school system. Provide support to shaping effective strategies in the communication of policies aimed at influencing relevant policy targets. Empower and train Latinx/o parents to understand the educational system and how to advocate for their children’s rights at schools. Ensure effective implementation of advocacy strategies. 

Research and knowledge generation

• Lead in setting ISLA research agenda by identifying emerging policy trends that require ISLA  research interventions.
• Management ISLA research projects across Resources for Parents, Early Childhood, Learning differences, and emerging bilinguals. 
• Coordinate the communicating of ISLA  research projects to internal and external leaders and activists  through different traditional and innovative channels (research reports, convenings, training, conference presentations, web resources, exhibitions etc.).
• Implementation of knowledge sharing and management.
• Develop an internal framework and guideline for ISLA’s writing, editing, and quality control for research reports/presentations.
• Work with the leads to coordinate and provide technical backstopping of research projects led or conducted by ISLA Parents and collaborating Partners
• Lead in the design development and tracking of the implementation of long term policy research projects including the ISLA Padres,  Padres con Voz, Padres Researchers, and ISLA overall policy plan. 
• Lead the Policy team in the compiling and strategic dissemination of ISLA mission and vision. 

Key accountability areas

• Bilingualism: Spanish and English 
• Policy, advocacy and engagement
• Programme coordination,
• Leadership and management,
• Research and knowledge generation.
• North Carolina education system policies

Educational requirements

• Bachelor's degree in the following: Public Policy, Human Development and Family Studies, and/or Education. (Prefered but not required) 

Experience required

• Experience of working on education policy
• 1-2 years of experience related to research, policy, and advocacy experience within the field of education
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing training and workshops for diverse groups
• Demonstrated experience coordinating complex projects or campaigns with multiple partners
• Policy advocacy experience in the public interest 
• Strong Speaking and writing proficiency  in Spanish 

Skills required

• Excellent writing skills with the ability to write clearly and concisely 
• Strong presentation skills
• Excellent communication  skills 
• Excellent organizational and planning skills with the ability to prioritize time and work effectively
• Strong people skills with the ability to work under pressure
• Highly motivated, confident communicator with the ability to engage with people at all levels
• Able to multitask and is deadline oriented
• Ability to work independently, as well as in a team
• Ability to work under pressure
• Innovative and creative, able to see new opportunities
• Reflective and open to learning
• Takes the initiative and is proactive
• Willingness to travel

Compensation and Benefits

• This is a full time position
• Starting Salary $48,000-$53,500
• Benefits include comprehensive medical, paid holidays, vacations, PTO’s. 

Email, as attachments, a cover letter of interest that addresses the job requirements plus a resume, with “Policy Research and Advocacy Manager Application” in the subject line, to jenice@laislaschool.org All application materials must be submitted by email.

This position is available immediately.