Policy and Research Manager

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

The Childrens Defense Fund (CDF) envisions a nation where marginalized children flourish leaders prioritize their well-being and communities wield the power to ensure they thrive. The Childrens Defense Fund builds community so young people grow up with dignity hope and joy. We serve and advocate for the largest most diverse generation in America: the 74 million children and youth under the age of 18 and 30 million young adults under the age of 25 with particular attention to those living in poverty and communities of color. CDF partners with policymakers aligned organizations and funders in this service. The Childrens Defense Fund is the only national multi-issue advocacy organization working at the intersection of child well-being and racial justice by wielding the moral authority of programmatic proximity and community organizing to inform public policy. For more information visit .

POSITION SUMMARY

The policy and research manager will lead and manage CDF-Ohios advocacy movement building and research programs ensuring that policymakers and the public receive timely accurate and evidence-based research information. The position will lead the development of policy recommendations informed by the lived experiences of Ohios youth young adults parents caregivers and faith activists aligned to CDFs mission values and strategy. The policy and research manager will also take a lead role in assisting with grant development and fundraising strategies including prospecting as assigned by the State Director.

The policy and research manager will supervise all aspects of CDF-Ohios research program and Ohio KIDS COUNT project. The policy and research manager will ensure that public dissemination of all research information and KIDS COUNT data is relevant informative and accessible. The research manager will ensure that all research data and information will inform CDF-Ohios development of a research agenda research questions policy priorities and advocacy.

The policy and research manager will supervise all aspects of CDFs movement building strategies with Ohios Freedom Schools youth young adults parents caregivers and faith-based activists including the collection and dissemination of their lived experiences.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Advocacy

• Manage CDF-Ohios advocacy strategy which includes:
• Developing CDF-Ohios policy priorities
• Disseminating and communicating CDF-Ohios policy priorities
• Drafting policy and agency rule proposals
• Monitoring bills and agency rules
• Attending legislative and agency rule committee hearings
• Preparing and presenting legislative and agency rule testimony
• Negotiating with legislators and agency decision makers
• Leading coalition building activities around direct and grassroots advocacy and
• Representing the organization at speaking engagements in the media and with decision makers.
• Track national policy issues impacting Ohio children in collaboration with CDFs team and participate in CDF advocacy meetings on federal policy issues.
• Serve as CDF-Ohios lead collaborating with other nonprofit partners to form join or manage state coalitions.
• Serve as CDF-Ohios lead collaborating with CDFs national state and regional offices on policy issues impacting Ohios children.
• Ensure CDF-Ohio meets advocacy and lobbying compliance as unit within a 501 c3 organization and state registered lobbyist organization.

Movement Building

• Manage CDFs movement building strategies in Ohio to build authentic relationships with constituents organize constituents and mobilize Ohios Freedom Schools network and constituents to share their lived experiences with decision makers.
• Manage the development and execution of CDF-Ohios policy forums community gatherings and policy forums aligned to CDFs movement building strategies.

Research

• Lead the conceptualization development and delivery of CDF-Ohios primary research responsibilities reports and projects.
• Manage the execution of research projects including planning participant recruitment data collection data analysis data synthesis and dissemination of findings.
• As a part of developing a research agenda and products managing the development and execution of constituent interviews listening sessions focus groups and surveys to obtain data and information on their lived experiences with policies in Ohio.
• Author execute and communicate an annual research agenda and questions in collaboration with CDF-Ohios policy associates which will inform the policy agenda.
• Lead the determination of quick response research topics and questions to ensure the timely delivery of research projects outside of the research agenda.
• Serve as CDF-Ohios team lead collaborating with our policy associates and organization partners to proactively identify opportunities to present CDF-Ohios research products and findings through policy forums and workshops.
• Serve as CDF-Ohios team lead to collaborate with CDFs communication team to present research products and findings in various settings including dedicated launch events panel discussions conferences press conferences and media interviews.
• Create and lead a guest-research fellows program.

KIDS COUNT Program

• Collaborate with the Annie E. Casey Foundation and CDF-Ohios team to develop execute and complete related to KIDS COUNT Ohio and the national KIDS COUNT projects.
• Research data sources and verify data collection for the KIDS COUNT program.
• Perform data analysis and write data profiles for the annual KIDS COUNT data release.
• Create monitor and oversee CDF-Ohios webpage for the KIDS COUNT data center.
• Create monitor and oversee the production and publication of KIDS COUNT data products in collaboration with CDF-Ohios team.
• Collaborate with CDFs communications team to develop a media strategy to announce KIDS COUNT data and product releases.
• Represent CDF-Ohio with media communications on KIDS COUNT research and products.
• Present KIDS COUNT products at meetings conferences and with different audiences.

Management and Administration

• Direct and supervise CDF-Ohios policy associates and organizer associates to meet office goals and objectives.
• Serve as the primary contact and lead the development of grant applications as assigned by the State Director in addition to supporting CDF-Ohios overall fundraising and grant development strategies.
• Support CDF-Ohios state director with strategic planning key performance indicator development and data monitoring and other performance management operations.
• Provide support for CDF-Ohios programs and operations.
• Serve as the team lead on CDF-Ohios response to data and information requests from external constituents.
• Coordinate with State director in conducting interviews with media speak at or otherwise participate in press conferences or other speaking duties as assigned
• Write review edit and publish opinion editorials articles and social media content related to priority issues and other speaking engagements.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• A masters degree in public policy economics education social work or an equivalent combination of education and experience relevant to the job responsibilities.
• Supervisory experience of 1-3 years developing coaching and directing a team.
• Direct experience with fund development grant reporting and relationship management.
• Experience working with community members advocates policymakers media and legislators.
• Experience using research and data management as a part of an advocacy strategy.
• Fluency in the Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel) data analytic software and ability and willingness to learn new research and data analysis software programs.
• Coursework or field experience using quantitative and qualitative research methods.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A doctorate degree in public policy economics education social work or related field.
• Experience conducting lived experience research and organizing constituents.
• Project management experience.

COMPETENCIES

• Racial equity analysis and application in the social sector.
• Community awareness and prioritization of proximity to inform decision-making.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to gain insights from data and research that are relevant for policymaking.
• Attention to detail and be adept at critical thinking forward thinking and problem-solving.
• Organized and able to work independently.
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work in a team environment.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Orientation to and background of servant leadership.
• Passion for CDFs mission and an ability to communicate this passion to others.
• Ability to serve as an advocate and exemplar for CDFs mission vision and values.
• An equity and justice-oriented mindset.
• A get it done results-driven proactive attitude capable of working independently and under pressure an ability to take initiative set priorities efficiently and effectively organize work and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

TYPE OF WORK ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THE JOB

• Indoor office setting.
• Occasional travel to out-of-town conferences.
• We are committed to a healthy work-life balance. We are also committed to standing up for progress at times that may occur outside of regular business hours so this person may sometimes have to work weekends and evenings.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

• The Childrens Defense Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
• Note: This job description does not restrict managements right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee.
• Consideration will be given to qualified candidates on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
• All inquiries will remain confidential until the establishment of mutual serious interest and provision of references for review.