Overview of the Position
The OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates seeks a full-time Policy and Advocacy Manager to lead our national policy, advocacy, and campaign work. The key role of this position is to identify opportunities to advance the organization’s national issue priorities and develop appropriate strategies for engagement. He/she/they must have experience in policy analysis and issue advocacy.
The ideal candidate will have a proven ability to engage diverse stakeholders ranging from local community members to policy makers and corporate partners. He/she/they will be an exceptionally quick learner, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and be able to work both independently and as a team member. The candidate should have experience in education, immigration, and/or technology and telecommunications policy. Additionally, this individual should be familiar with the diverse needs of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. The individual reports to the Deputy Director and serves as the organization’s primary advocacy lead. This opportunity is not an entry level position.
OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates
OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates is dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Founded in 1973, OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national non-profit, membership-driven civil rights organization based in Washington, D.C. with over 50 chapters and affiliates around the country. Touching hundreds of thousands of AAPIs each year, OCA works with its organizational partners, members, chapters, and supporters to empower the next generation of leaders. The organization’s primary policy priorities include, but are not limited to, equitable education, immigration reform, and technology and telecommunications justice.
Job Responsibilities:
Advocacy Development, Policy Analysis, and Strategy Management
- Monitor and analyze relevant activity in both the Administration and Congress and develop appropriate strategies to advance or counter such activities
- Engage and develop relationships with key policymakers
- Analyze relevant legislation, rule-making, or general administrative actions through a broad AAPI and/or immigrant rights framework
- Provide recommendations for engagement on issues/incidents that impact Asian American and Pacific Islander communities
- Develop and national campaigns as necessary to advance organizational issue priorities
- In collaboration with the Vice President of Public Affairs, Chief Executive Officer, and Deputy Director, develop policy platforms for each Congressional cycle
Strategic Partnerships and Coalition Management
- Identify opportunities for engagement and collaboration with national partners
- Serve as the organization’s primary issue advocate on national coalitions
- Cultivate new relationships as necessary to advance the organization’s mission
Policy and Advocacy Communications
- Serve as the organization’s media spokesperson by request
- Work closely with the organization’s communications staff and executive team to develop press releases, organizational statements, and other communications materials as it relates to OCA’s policy priorities
- Identify opportunities to advance the organization’s advocacy agenda through strategic media engagement in collaboration communications staff
Membership/Chapter Education and Training
- Create policy and advocacy toolkits and resources for OCA chapters and members as needed to advance the organization’s priorities
- Engage with OCA chapters on local and national issue based campaigns
- Serve as the primary staff liaison on all advocacy matters to OCA chapters and members
- Act as a thought partner for OCA chapter presidents as necessary for their advocacy work
Program Management and Staff Supervision
- Manage and direct the OCA Civil Rights Fellowship program, overseeing
- In collaboration with the Civil Rights Fellow, oversee the JACL/OCA Leadership Summit, including its program development, logistics, and implementation
- Supervise interns as assigned according to existing organizational policies and procedures as well as human resource best-practices.
Other Responsibilities
- Assist in program development and support such as development of workshops and other programming for annual events including but not limited to: OCA National Convention, Corporate Achievement Awards, quarterly national board meetings when necessary
- Other duties as assigned by the Chief Executive Officer or Deputy Director
Experience and Skills Required
- 3 – 5 years of experience with legislative advocacy, community organizing, issue campaigns, or other relevant experience.
- Legislative advocacy and policy analysis, including familiarity with the federal legislative process, experience communicating with policy makers, and ability to communicate complex policy issues in a comprehensible way.
- Excellent written and verbal communication abilities
- Thorough understanding of the broader AAPI political landscape
- Ability to form relationships and work with relevant stakeholders
- Ability to work independently and self-identify projects and opportunities
Preferred Experience/Skills
- Knowledge of education, immigration, technology/telecommunications, census, or voting rights policy issues as they relate to AAPIs
- Fluency in an AAPI language
- Familiarity with OCA and/or its chapters
- Experience working in nonprofit, social justice, or civil rights environments
- Mainstream and ethnic media familiarity
- Ability to be a strong team player
Education
B.A. or equivalent four-year degree required. Advanced degree in public policy, law, social sciences, ethnic studies, or other relevant fields is a plus. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.
Compensation
Salary is commensurate with experience. Benefits include paid vacation, sick leave, telework, health care, vision, employer subsidized dental and transit, and employer matching Simple IRA.
To Apply
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and two references to Deputy Director Kendall T Kosai at kkosai@ocanational.org by Monday, November 19, 2018.
OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates is an equal opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age, or other legally protected characteristics. Individuals from underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
