Title: Policy Associate

Reports to: Policy Manager

Salary: $55,000 to $74,000 annually

Job Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Location: Washington, DC

Founded in 1996 by 100 Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) women, NAPAWF (National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum) is the only organization dedicated to empowering AANHPI women and girls and gender non-conforming folks to impact policy and drive systemic change in the U.S. NAPAWF is building a movement for social, political, and structural change by building a multilingual, multigenerational membership that encompasses the diversity of the AANHPI community.

Employing a reproductive justice framework, we use organizing, advocacy, and communications strategies to assert full agency over our lives, our families, and our communities. The organization also stands in solidarity with other women of color facing oppression and marginalization. NAPAWF focuses on three core issues employing an intersectional approach that holistically centers the experiences and stories of AANHPI women and girls:

• Reproductive Rights and Health
• Economic Justice
• Immigration and Racial Justice

POSITION OVERVIEW

This position is an entry-level professional policy position for someone who is passionate about movement building and advocacy to advance social justice for AAPI women and girls. The Policy Associate will support NAPAWF’s policy advocacy goals on national, state, and local levels in our current priority areas of reproductive health and rights, immigrant rights, and economic justice. The Policy Associate should be an organized, hardworking, analytical person who is comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

LOCATION

The Policy Associate will be based out of Washington, DC and expected to be 40% to 60% at the office with up to 10% travel.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Administrative and Organization 

• Assist in organization, scheduling, and logistics for meetings, conferences, and events. 
• Support policy team with communications, coordination, policy analysis, written products, and any other operational tasks related to coalitions and working groups. 
• Lead in policy team for updating, maintaining, and optimizing usage of Quorum government relations software, project management software, and any other technology needed to effectuate policy team goals.

Policy, Government Affairs, and External Relationships

• Monitor and track key legislation, regulations, policy developments, and other coalition administration priorities.
• Draft and deliver timely and accurate policy analyses and written materials, including updates for partners and the field (e.g. newsletter, action alerts, and emails). 
• Support the Policy Managers in management of NAPAWF’s relationships with members of congress, local and state lawmakers, and movement partners to advance NAPAWF’s policy priorities.
• Provide research and data analysis and drafting support for policy and other materials. 
• Draft and support the production of external-facing policy materials such as blog posts, emails, and newsletters. 
• Provide other administrative, policy, and coordination support as needed.

Cross-team Collaboration

• Support Policy team in coordinating with NAPAWF Communications, Field, Research, and Development departments on policy priorities and state and federal campaigns. 
• Provides comprehensive support through a wide range of administrative, writing, logistics, event planning, and coordination duties as needed by the team and other departments.

QUALIFICATIONS

• One year of experience in a field similar to the work of NAPAWF. This one year can be a combination of volunteer or internship or other hybrid or paid experience, but demonstrated experience in civil rights, human rights, women’s rights, or other adjacent fields must be evidenced. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects at a time by prioritizing projects, setting deadlines, and asking for help when needed.
• Ability to synthesize and present policy information for various audiences – including internal and external – in both written and oral communication. 
• Ability to build and maintain relationships internally and externally and collaborate on projects with others.
• Strong commitment to race and gender equity and understanding of how it relates to reproductive health and rights, immigrant rights, and economic justice. 
• Preferred: Experience tracking legislation at the federal, state, or local level, understanding of legislative processes, and building relationships with elected officials.
• Approaches work with a problem-solving lens, considering the larger context.
• Exhibits ownership over goals and projects; takes initiative and is a self-starter.
• Flexible and able to adapt to shifting priorities under pressure.
• Prioritizes competing demands without sacrificing quality; pays attention to details.
• Acknowledges mistakes and turns them into learning opportunities.
• Capable of managing up, knowing when to notify and when to handle issues, and when to delegate.
• Welcomes viewpoints of others and builds authentic relationships through collaboration.
• Commitment to the issues of AAPI and/or immigrant women and girls, health, social justice and human rights. 
• Commitment to NAPAWF’s mission.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The annual salary range for this position is $55,000 to $74,000 - commensurate with experience. 

A highly competitive benefits package includes a 401(k) plan, medical, dental, and vision insurance. NAPAWF's medical plan is covered by NAPAWF at 100% for employees and dependents with no out of pocket costs, including prescription drugs costs. Qualified dependents may also be covered. 

NAPAWF also offers full-time employees 16 days of vacation in the first year, sick leave, flexible spending program options and personal/family leave, as well as paid vacation between December 25 and January 1 of each year. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

NAPAWF is a proud union organization. We also value empathy, creativity, and collaboration. This position is based in an office setting and requires regularly being able to sit or stand and perform computer-based work, occasional lifting and travel may be required (up to 10%).

This position is expected to be 40% to 60% at the office.  

NAPAWF is committed to public health, and to the safety and well-being of our colleagues and visitors.  As such we have adopted a policy requiring all employees to receive all recommended COVID-19 vaccines and boosters or to apply for and receive an exemption. 

NAPAWF is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, including bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, medical condition (cancer-related) or conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related conditions (ARC). Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.