POLICY ANALYST STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

*This is currently a work-from-home position; however, APCA will shift to a hybrid workplace model once it is safe to do so.

Who We Are:

Advancement Project California (APCA) champions the struggle for greater equity and opportunity for all, fostering upward mobility in communities most impacted by economic and racial injustice. We build alliances and trust, use data-driven policy solutions, create innovative tools, and work alongside communities to ignite social transformation. Rooted in the historic struggle for racial and economic equality, Advancement Project California envisions a world where all communities have equitable access to public resources and opportunities to thrive. The California office’s primary program teams are Educational Equity, Equity in Community Investments, and Political Voice.

Position Summary:

Strategic Initiatives is a program team within APCA that works on projects that cut across multiple issue areas. One of the Strategic Initiatives team’s key projects is Bold Vision, which is a multi-year, multi-sector initiative where APCA works with community organizations through LA County to create a better, more equitable systems for BIPOC youth of color. Another key project is Race Counts, which is an online tool that tracks racial disparities in California across seven issue areas (Crime & Justice, Democracy, Economic Opportunity, Education, Health Care Access, Healthy Built Environment, and Housing), and a strategic platform that centers racial equity in policy campaigns to reinvent public systems.

Other examples of OSI’s work include:

• Reimagining Traffic Safety & Bold Political Leadership in Los Angeles
• Race and COVID-19: Community-Based Rapid Response System

The Policy Analyst (“Analyst”) will report directly to the Associate Director of Strategic initiatives. The successful candidate will work in partnership with community-based organizations to support advocacy campaigns that advance racial and economic equity and reflect community priorities statewide, with a particular focus on Los Angeles County.  This position will include, but is not limited to, the following work:

• Conducting extensive research and analysis on public policy issues that relate to racial and economic equity;
• Developing campaign strategies and tactics and recognizing political opportunities
• Building relationships with key stakeholders including partner community-based organizations and government officials and staff;
• Making a case for change by identifying persuasive facts and crafting compelling messages and delivering them to target audiences. 

The successful applicant must have a strong, demonstrated commitment to social and racial justice, documented project management skills and experience overseeing multiple streams of work at the same time, a record of involvement in racial justice/systems change campaigns, ability to engage with local government decision-making processes, and be self-motivated, flexible, and skilled at fostering creative and collaborative spaces.

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Support strategic development of policy agenda in consultation with Strategic Initiatives team leadership and community partners through research and advocacy.
• Provide policy research and analytical support for the Strategic Initiatives team in the exploration of new issue areas, campaigns, and products.
• Draft and edit presentation and communication (both internal and external) materials including slide decks, memoranda, policy and research briefs, fact sheets, blog posts, substantive emails, and reports;
• Track and monitor state and local legislative motions, bills, policies, campaigns, and governmental processes;
• Serve as a liaison and provide support for relationship development and engagement with community partners, elected officials and their staff, and other strategic allies. This would include:
  • Supporting the Strategic Initiatives team’s efforts to work in collaboration with community-based organizations and coalitions, analyze political opportunities, and develop winning campaign plans and strategies;
  • Supporting strategic relationship development with a broad array of policy, research, community-based stakeholders, relevant government staff, and political leadership, including scheduling and follow up with partner requests for presentations and meetings;
  • Working with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that there is a clear understanding of project expectations, deliverables, and progress toward achieving grant milestones;
• Provide logistical support for the Strategic Initiatives team including providing support for the Race Counts Steering Committee; supporting virtual and in-person meetings, webinars, convenings, and presentations; coordinating scheduling; providing technical support; taking notes; conducting policy presentations; preparing materials and reports for meetings; and completing post-event follow-up items;
• Support project implementation for current and emerging APCA cross-programmatic efforts;
• Provide support for and contribute ideas in team strategic brainstorming sessions;
• Provide logistical coordination between the Strategic Initiatives team and other APCA programmatic areas and central capacity teams (e.g. Communications and Research & Data Analysis);
• Participate in organization-wide planning, development, and communications activities, as needed, and ensure adherence to Advancement Project goals and policies within the Strategic Initiatives team;

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function assigned satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Sincere and demonstrated commitment to advancing racial and economic justice for highest-need communities;
• 2-5 years of experience in civil rights and social justice, public policy, community-based policy advocacy, and/or organizing (beyond summer or short-term internships);
• Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree in public policy, law, or the social sciences preferred. Equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential job duties will also be considered;
• Experience building and working in coalitions, including managing partnerships with community partners (e.g. local residents, community-based organizations), civil rights organizations, and government officials and staff;
• Demonstrated experience conducting public policy research (qualitative and/or quantitative), analysis, and writing on racial and economic justice public policy issues
• A generalist mindset with an enthusiasm for working on a variety of social justice issues;
• Strong interpersonal, communication, facilitation, and presentation skills; Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to analyze complex information/data for policy and planning;
• Strong writing skills and experiences, including for a wide variety of target audiences;
• Self-starter, analytical, and detail-oriented;
• Sound emotional intelligence with ability to work in partnership and in teams; and proven ability to work with diverse communities, leaders and staff;
• Flexibility to adjust and contribute to continually evolving work situation and changing priorities and demonstrated ability to get up to speed in new policy and issue areas;
• Excellent computer skills, including strong internet research skills, proficiency with MS Office applications, and Google Docs and Google Drive, and Zoom;
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with demonstrated ability to lead and manage multiple complex projects at same time and execute projects on-time;
• Ability to take on responsibilities independently with minimal supervision;
• Ability to multi-task under deadlines and work well under pressure;
• Ability to travel statewide and/or locally on occasion. Note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, APCA staff are working from home and not traveling at this time. This qualification will be effective once it is safe to travel.

Benefits & Perks

Perks & Work Environment

• Yearly professional development allowance and personalized professional development goals.
• 15 vacation days, 3 personal days, 8 sick days, and 2 weeks paid parental leave along with national and office holidays.
• Organizational and team wellness days to help build team cohesion and camaraderie.
• Opportunity to see the meaning and impact of your work at an organization that is actively building more equitable communities and systems across California.
• Opportunity to work in a flexible work culture that is sensitive to employee wellbeing and encourages work life balance.
• Additional benefits during the pandemic including scheduling flexibility for parents and caregivers and telework stipend.
• Opportunity to work in a company dedicated to pay equity and a diverse work culture.  

Salary & Benefits:

• $62,500 – $77,500, negotiable depending on experience and qualifications.
• Full, employer-covered medical, dental, and vision benefits with no employee contributions for spouses and/or dependents, including registered Domestic Partners.
• 403B retirement plan with employer matching benefits after 90 days.
• Flexible Spending Account for eligible employees to allocate pre-tax money throughout the year.

To Apply:

Please email with subject “SI Application” and cover letter, resume and a policy-related writing sample in one PDF attachment titled last_name_first_name_osi.pdf (e.g., Jimenez_Jorge_si.pdf) to:

Jorge Jimenez

Director of Human Resources, Finance and Administration

hr@advanceproj.org

Interview Process

• Phone interview with hiring manager

• Two panel interviews (via Zoom)

• Reference Checks

Advancement Project is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, or any other category protected by local, state, or federal laws. We are committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive staff team. We strongly encourage applicants who are people of color, LGBTQ, women, people with disabilities; and/or formerly incarcerated people.