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

FIGHT! WITHOUT FEAR!

The 2007 New York International Independent Film and Video Festival presents…

FIGHT! WITHOUT FEAR!

Monday July 23

8:15 pm @ Village East Cinemas, Screen 6

181 2nd Ave. NY, NY 10003

The women's movement in the Philippines is one the most vibrant in the world, serving as a role model for grassroots activism everywhere.

Spearheading this movement is GABRIELA Philippines, the largest umbrella coalition of women's groups in the country. "MAKIBAKA! HUWAG MATAKOT!" ("FIGHT! WITHOUT FEAR!") is a documentary made by Filipina American Darlene Lombos about women living in the frontlines --
fighting economic exploitation, gender violence and the effects of the global "war on terror."

GABRIELA Network New York/New Jersey

nynj@gabnet.org * 212-592-3507 * www.myspace.com/gabnetnynj

The New York Healthy Birth Fair

WHO IS ORGANIZING THE FAIR?

Choices in Childbirth, The Grassroots Advocates Committee of the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS), and Friends of the Birth Center

WHEN IS IT?

Saturday, July 21, 2007 from 11AM to 7PM

WHERE IS IT?

Union Square South, 14th Street between University Place and Broadway

WHAT WILL TAKE PLACE?

• The release of the 2nd edition of The New York Guide to a Healthy Birth
• The launching of the New York City pilot of The Birth Survey
• Announcement of the plans for Manhattan’s new freestanding Birth Center
• The distribution of information regarding women’s rights and options in
childbirth
• Raising awareness of issues and trends in maternity care
• A red tent where women can relax, share their birth stories, and
participate in prenatal yoga
• A community art project which will enable participants to contribute to
a birth-themed installation piece
• A craft tent for kids
• … and more!

Don't miss out on your chance to participate in this groundbreaking event!
You can also help us to make it a success by sharing the details with your mailing list. Information can be easily accessed by clicking on this
link: www.choicesinchildbirth.org/birthfair.

Happy Hour at Revival

Please join us tomorrow, July 10th at Revival bar near Union Square. There's a fantastic back garden, bring your friends and colleagues!

Excellent Briefing Book on Reproductive Justice

An amazing resource is now available online... "Reproductive Just Briefing Book: A Primer on Reproductive Justice and Social Change"

Check it out!

Happy Hour this Tuesday!

The next Repro Health Happy Hour will be this Tuesday, July 10th! Location to be announced shortly.

Happy 4th of July!!

For expectant parents...

Choices in Childbirth invites you to the June free informational session for expectant parents.

June Topic: The role of the birth partner: doula? partner? relative?
friend? What is your winning team?

Date: Wednesday, June 27th, 6:30-8:30PM

Meeting location: 859 Broadway, Apt 3 (cross Street 17th Street, off Union Square)

Guest speakers: Risa L Klein, CNM, Stephanie Watson-Campbell, birth & postpartum doula, and 3 mothers who will talk about their individual choice and experience.

If you know anyone else who might be interested, please pass on the word!

To print our flyer you may download it here.

Please RSVP.