POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

POSITION: Director, Health Policy Project OPEN: March 20, 2014 Office of Research, Advocacy, and Legislation LOCATION: Washington, DC CONTACT: Darcy Eischens CLOSING: Until filled SALARY: Commensurate with experience

BACKGROUND The National Council of La Raza (NCLR)the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United Statesworks to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. Through its network of nearly 300 affiliated community-based organizations, NCLR reaches millions of Hispanics each year in 41 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. To achieve its mission, NCLR conducts applied research, policy analysis, and advocacy, providing a Latino perspective in five key areasassets/investments, civil rights/immigration, education, employment and economic status, and health. In addition, it provides capacity-building assistance to its Affiliates who work at the state and local level to advance opportunities for individuals and families. Founded in 1968, NCLR is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan, tax-exempt organization headquartered in Washington, DC, serving all Hispanic subgroups in all regions of the country. It has state and regional offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Phoenix, and San Antonio. SUMMARY NCLRs highly respected Office of Research, Advocacy, and Legislation (ORAL) is one of the most influential, visible, and leading national advocacy voices championing public policy on behalf of Latinos. The Health Policy Project has a strong track record of advancing public policies that improve the health and well-being of Latino workers, families, and children. With a special emphasis on vulnerable populations, including low-income immigrant families with children, the health policy team conducts policy analysis, research, and advocacy work that addresses health disparities. The work includes promoting policy change that improves health insurance coverage rates for families and children, improves the quality of health care services, and addresses childhood hunger and obesity among Latino children. NCLRs health policy team

has become a leader in the field and has served as a timely and reliable source of Latino-specific research and policy analyses on key health issues. NCLR staff are consistently asked to provide expert testimony before Congress and comments to policymakers, and its documents command extensive attention from policymakers and the press. JOB DESCRIPTION The Director of the Health Policy Project will set overall strategic goals and objectives for NCLRs health policy work. S/he will be responsible for ensuring the production of rigorous, timely, and relevant policy documents/materials in support of NCLRs goals. The Director will build substantive depth and advance goals in a range of health policy areas including health care exchange enrollment, Medicaid expansion, immigrant health access to health insurance, and investment and improvement in federal food nutrition programs. The Director will help contribute to efforts to provide decision-makers, community leaders, and stakeholders with timely and relevant information that shapes the content of policy proposals emanating from Congress, state governments, and administrative agencies. S/he will also coordinate, develop, and participate in public policy forums and summits, briefings, and other events where relevant policy matters are discussed. This work includes serving as a spokesperson on Latino policy priorities, representing NCLR priorities in internal and external meetings as well as before congressional staff, policymakers, experts, and issue stakeholders. The Director will be a part of the public policy components mid-management team and will report directly to the Vice President. NCLR offers a collaborative, team-based environment that fosters a culture of ideas and debate. We approach our work from multiple perspectives and methods, understanding both the specific issues and their larger interrelated systems. RESPONSIBILITIES Set overall goals and priorities for the Health Policy Project; organize and place on a calendar the production and dissemination of high-quality, timely, and relevant policy analysis materials. Conduct and publish independent policy analysis, as well as policy development, on timely and relevant issues for the Latino community that are not covered by specific policy projects or existing staff. Provide editorial support and guidance on policy documents, including issue briefs, policy memoranda, regulatory comments, public testimony, and journal articles developed in the component, with an emphasis on coordinating issue areas or assignments that overlap or involve multiple policy projects. Supervise and provide support for staff conducting policy analysis work. Manage existing funder relationships, fundraise, and communicate with philanthropic supporters. Manage budgets and expenses for the health policy portfolio. Serve as a spokesperson on Latino policy priorities, representing NCLR priorities in internal and external meetings as well as before congressional staff, policymakers, experts, and issue stakeholders. 2

Participate in external policy advisory groups, boards, or committees as appropriate. Support component officers as needed. Work with media as appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS Masters degree preferred and 78 years of relevant experience required Demonstrated strong written and oral communication skills Experience publishing and editing articles, studies, or other relevant and publicly available documents Strong analytical skills, experience in policy analysis, program evaluation, and exposure to data analysis and research methods Demonstrated understanding of issues that Latino and immigrant communities face Experience with policy ideas or solutions aimed at improving the status Latino families and creating project plans that promote, disseminate, or implement those ideas Demonstrated prior experience communicating policy ideas in public settings such as congressional hearings and major conferences, or through written materials such as reports and issue briefs Ability to quickly gain knowledge of new topics and determine their impact on various constituencies Experience managing a portfolio of diverse policy priorities preferred Ability to work as part of a team as well as execute projects independently Ability to take initiative, work effectively under tight deadlines, and coordinate multiple projects Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel), Outlook, statistical software, data sources, and Internet queries required Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills a plus SEND COVER LETTER AND RSUM TO: National Council of La Raza Raul Yzaguirre Building Attn: Darcy Eischens 1126 16th Street, NW, Suite 600 Washington, DC 20036 Email: HRmail@nclr.org No phone calls please! Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, marital status, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, personal appearance, family responsibilities, political affiliation, or enrollment in a college, university, technical school, or adult education.