Jobs, Policy Associate, Early Learning and Development, May 2013

Open Position

POLICY ASSOCIATE, EARLY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH-FOCUS (Oakland or Sacramento)

Children Now is a nonpartisan research and advocacy organization working to elevate children’s well-being to the top of the national policy agenda. The organization focuses on ensuring quality health care, a sound education and a positive media environment for all children. Children Now’s strategic approach creates awareness of children’s needs, develops effective policy solutions and engages those who can make change happen. For more information about Children Now, please go to our website (http://www.childrennow.org). 

JOB DESCRIPTION

We are seeking a highly-motivated Policy Associate to support Children Now’s ongoing advocacy efforts to improve California’s health, education and media policies for young children (birth to eight) and their families. This position will focus primarily on early childhood health-related policy areas including expanding evidence-based home visiting programs, promoting universal developmental screenings and ensuring services to young children with developmental delays, improving young children’s oral health, and increasing early childhood mental health services. The Associate will advocate for policies that strengthen state and local investments in early childhood health, specifically related to home visiting and/or developmental screenings., The Associate will also assist with other early learning and development policy efforts, including promoting increased investments in quality early learning programs (infant and toddler care, preschool and Transitional Kindergarten).

Ideal applicants have a broad and sincere interest in health and education policy issues impacting early childhood so they can effectively represent Children Now’s early learning and development projects in coalitions, in legislative settings, and with partners across the state. The Associate will also support the organization’s development and fundraising goals through grant writing and reporting for early learning and development projects and contributing to funder outreach efforts and the expansion of The Children’s Movement.

Successful candidates will have an exceptional work ethic, an optimistic outlook and ability to find solutions in complex and challenging political and social environments; an ability to synthesize a range of information and effectively articulate Children Now’s early learning and development policy goals to policymakers, coalition partners, education advocates and others; an ability to balance multiple projects and prioritize deliverables; a willingness to speak up (internally and externally) to convey ideas and concerns, and good judgment in working with colleagues and partner organizations. We prefer this position to be based in our Oakland office, but Sacramento office applicants may be considered. There will be occasional travel between offices and to meetings, as necessary.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Under the primary supervision of the Director of Early Learning and Development, develop, implement, and support Children Now’s early learning and development scope of work;
• Manage specific policy projects, including contributing to project planning and strategy and ensuring execution of deliverables;
• Build and support coalition development via The Children’s Movement and other efforts and convene coalition partners as needed;
• Represent the organization effectively, engaging individuals and organizations and building strong relationships with partners, advocates, policymakers, consultants, and other stakeholders;
• Write grant reports and updates, write or otherwise contribute significantly to proposal development, and support relationship management with funders;
• Write policy briefs and fact sheets, and assist with the production and distribution of publications;
• Track legislation, policy developments, and research related to Children Now’s issue areas;
• Assist in data gathering and analysis, and conduct literature reviews and research various topics using academic, on-line and other resources;
• Work closely with the marketing and operations and research departments to support the communications, development, research and administrative needs of the organization; and
• Conduct other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• A minimum of three to five years early childhood health or other relevant policy experience;
• Substantive knowledge of early childhood policy and programs;
• Exceptional writing and editing skills;
• Demonstrated high-level skill and effectiveness at project management;
• Excellent organizational and administrative skills and attention to detail;
• Ability to develop strong and effective working relationships with diverse and multi-cultural constituencies including Children Now staff, policymakers, the media, and others;
• Knowledge of MS Office with strong word processing, Excel, database, and internet research skills.
• Bachelor’s degree;

Desired:

• Substantive knowledge of children’s health (specifically, home visiting and/or developmental screening and assessment) and education policy and programs;
• Knowledge of Sacramento legislative and administrative players and processes;
• Advanced degree in public policy, public health, or related field;
• Substantial non profit development and grant-writing experience;
• Strong legislative analysis, political, and/or budget analysis skills.
• Strong oral communication skills, including public speaking experience;

COMPENSATION

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Generous benefits.

TO APPLY

Applications must include 1) cover letter, 2) resume, 3) writing sample (no more than 6 pages; excerpts are fine), and 4) three to five references. Please send and address all correspondence to:

Children Now
Attn: Early Learning and Development Position Search
1404 Franklin Street, Suite 700
Oakland, CA 94612
Fax: 510-763-1974
E-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

E-mail applications with attachments in Microsoft Word or PDF format only. We do not accept phone inquiries regarding the position; please do not call. Position open until filled.

Children Now is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to staff diversity.