Senior Policy Associate

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 primary responsibilities of the Senior Policy Associate are to collaborate with the Senior Policy Manager on developing legislative and public policy agendas campaigns and strategies in coalition with other organizations to advance youth justice and child welfare reform at the New York State and City levels as well as to coordinate across portfolios with the Policy Manager and Senior Policy Associate on our Economic Mobility Racial Justice/Immigrant Rights and Health Equity team.

The ideal candidate will have familiarity with New York State and City government and legislative systems as well as its youth justice and child welfare systems a successful track record of policy analysis and advocacy possess strong verbal and written skills and have experience building and sustaining relationships experience working with system-impacted people and those with lived experience in the youth justice and child welfare systems and in engaging with external partners and government officials.

Policy Development and Analysis

• Work with Senior Policy Manager to develop and execute campaigns to advance youth justice and child welfare reforms in partnership with peer organizations including representing CDF-NY on steering committees and in leadership roles guiding campaign activities.
• Analyze and respond to State and City policy initiatives budgets and reforms.
• Draft white papers fact sheets and other policy documents.
• Develop and present testimony public comment and provide guidance to State and City policymakers related to youth justice and child welfare.
• Conduct policy research regarding youth justice and child welfare policy.
• Track city and statewide youth justice and child welfare policy related initiatives and reforms.

Communication and Narrative

• Work with people with lived expertise in the youth justice and child welfare systems.
• Direct and communicate campaign strategies to advance youth justice and child welfare reforms including planning and participating in rallies press conferences town halls and forums with workgroups and coalitions.

Partnership Coalition and Youth Development

• Represent CDF-NY on relevant workgroups and coalitions.
• Support CDF-NY part time Youth Action Researcher/Organizers in organizing and advocacy work.
• Participate in community-building events with other advocacy and direct service organizations including rallies and direct actions press conferences forums and town hall events.

Required Education and/or Experience

• Masters degree in public policy public administration social work a related field; OR juris doctor degree plus 3 years experience with social justice advocacy; OR a bachelors degree and 5 years experience with social justice advocacy in one or more of CDFs areas of interest.
• Experience collaborating and partnering with youth people parents community and faith leaders.
• Experience building and sustaining diverse stakeholder relationships necessary to achieving short- and long-term policy goals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with youth justice and child welfare systems in York City and New York State.
• Familiarity with New York State and City legislative and budget process.

Competencies

• Lead and coordinate campaigns in partnership with peer organizations and within coalitions.
• Analyze synthesize and critically evaluate policy and practice and work to develop responsive policy and advocacy.
• Work to develop responsive policy and advocacy.
• Articulate and apply a social justice perspective.
• Communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce children communities and their families.
• Participate in and contribute to policy and legislative process at the New York State and City levels.

Personal Characteristics

• Orientation to and background of servant leadership.
• Passion for CDFs mission and purpose and ability to communicate this passion to others.
• Ability to serve as an advocate and an example for the mission vision and values of the Childrens Defense Fund.
• A racial/social justice equity diversity inclusion and belonging (RS/JEDIB) mindset.
• A get it done results-driven proactive attitude capable of working independently and under pressure ability to take initiative set priorities efficiently and effectively organize work and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

Type of work environment associated with the job

• Hybrid work environment 3 days in Midtown Manhattan.
• Indoor office setting.