Job Opening: Director of Local Advocacy Initiatives

The National Institute for Reproductive Health is seeking a highly motivated individual to direct our state and local advocacy initiatives. The mission of the National Institute is develop and implement innovative and proactive approaches to protecting and expanding access to the full range of reproductive health care information and services for all women, with a specific focus on youth, low-income women, and women of color. The National Institute seeks to remove barriers to reproductive health services and assist reproductive health and community-based organizations to confront those barriers that are national in significance, yet are best addressed through locally managed initiatives. Through research, education, advocacy, policy and community organizing, the National Institute is working to ensure that all women have the ability and means to access and exercise their reproductive health and rights. The National Institute is affiliated with NARAL Pro-Choice New York, which works in New York State to elect pro-choice candidates and change public policy.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Director of Local Advocacy Initiatives would be responsible for working with our local partners to promote policy and advocacy initiatives at the local level. Working closely with the Vice President of National Programs, the Vice President of Communications, and program staff, the State Advocacy Director would coordinate local campaigns related to our program areas. In the near term, the Director will manage the Contraceptive Access Campaign, which includes providing technical and financial resources to local organizations aimed at increasing access to Emergency Contraception. The Director will also coordinate the local campaigns related to our Messaging Project, which seeks to engage local organizations in an innovative campaign to stop legislative efforts to ban abortion at the state level. The Director will also work with National Institute staff to support their work with local partners and help build the National Institute’s support for local organizations tackling barriers to reproductive health care.

This position offers an exciting opportunity for someone interested in working on innovative projects to join a growing organization that is working with partners across the nation.
The State Advocacy Director will be responsible for:

• Managing and developing advocacy projects at the local and national level;
• Supervising program interns and working with staff on program related projects;
• Providing technical support to local advocates on a range of reproductive health policies;
• Traveling several days in a month to meet with local advocates across the country;
• Leading and/or facilitating coalition meetings;
• Identifying and developing strong working relationships and collaborations with local partners and national reproductive health organizations; and
• Representing the organization in various settings, including conferences, meetings with local and national partners, and meetings with public officials.


Additional Qualifications:
Applicants must have 3-5 years work experience in a relevant field, strong writing and public speaking skills, and a commitment to women’s rights and social justice. An ideal candidate will have experience developing and implementing advocacy campaigns, organizing activists, and coordinating and managing coalitions at the national and/or local level. Although not required, a master’s degree in public policy, women’s rights, public health and/or law, and/or experience working in political campaigns or grassroots organizing will greatly strengthen a candidate’s application. This position requires a significant amount of travel to localities across the country.

How to Apply:
A cover letter and resume should be mailed or emailed to:

Andrew Stern, Director of Human Resources
National Institute for Reproductive Health
470 Park Avenue South, 7th Floor South
New York, NY 10016
humanresources@prochoiceny.org