March 7, 2022
DEC is hiring a Director of Advocacy!
By: Diverse Elders

Director of Advocacy
Diverse Elders Coalition
Full-time, exempt (35 hours/week)

Location: Greater D.C. Area. Options for remote work from home or co-working setup in the Greater D.C. area. Up to 15% travel to meetings, conferences, and trainings in Greater D.C. and across the United States (dependent on the state of the pandemic).

Apply by March 23rd for priority application consideration!

About the Diverse Elders Coalition

Founded in 2010, the Diverse Elders Coalition (DEC) works to improve aging in racially and ethnically diverse communities, American Indian and Alaska Native communities, and LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning, and additional identities) communities. Our six member organizations are trusted, committed experts on aging in the communities they represent, and together, we have developed a powerful voice committed to ensuring that diverse elders have a say in the policies and programs that impact our lives. Our member organizations include:

  • National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) – Seattle, WA
  • NationalCaucus & Center on Black Aging (NCBA) – Washington, DC
  • National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA) – Washington, DC
  • National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA) – Albuquerque, NM
  • SAGE – New York, NY
  • Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (DEC) – Washington, DC

The DEC is a small team of 2.5 full time staff working remotely. Our projects and work are highly collaborative within the organization, across the Coalition, and with external stakeholders. We are a values-driven organization, and we embrace a balance of life and work.

About the Director of Advocacy Position

The Diverse Elders Coalition (DEC) is seeking an accomplished, passionate Director of Advocacy to lead our Coalition’s growing presence at the intersection of diversity, equity, and aging policy advocacy. The Director of Advocacy will be responsible for designing and leading DEC’s growing nationwide advocacy approach, by monitoring and pursuing relevant federal advocacy opportunities; building relationships with key policymakers and federal agencies; and by maintaining deep community engagement with Coalition members and other partners in the Aging field.

In partnership with the DEC’s National Director and Coalition members, the Director of Advocacy will help to set the Coalition’s national policy priorities. They will also be responsible for organizing and managing the Coalition’s Advocacy Team, through monthly meetings, regular briefings, and organized actions to advance the Coalition’s policy priorities. The DEC’s Advocacy Team is newly forming and will be comprised of staff from each of the DEC’s six Member organizations and relevant DEC staff, to better coordinate coalition-wide advocacy work.

Externally, the Director of Advocacy will monitor and pursue opportunities to advocate with members of Congress, administrative staff, and relevant federal agencies to advance public policies and other initiatives to improve aging for our communities as people of color, American Indian and Alaska Natives, and LGBTQ+ older adults that are aligned with DEC policy priority areas

Outstanding skills in policy analysis, relationship cultivation, and knowledge of the political landscape; and congressional and/or administrative processes are essential for success in the role. The DEC’s Director of Advocacy will bring 4 or more years of experience in policy advocacy, preferably on issues related to aging, caregiving, health, and/or social, gender, and racial justice. We are looking for someone who is committed to social justice, interested in improving the lives of older adults and family caregivers in diverse communities, and excited to work with our staff and Coalition member organizations toward our vision of a just, equitable world. The ideal candidate will also have a deep familiarity with one or more of the DEC’s constituent communities and/or the field of Aging.

Reporting Relationship: The Director of Advocacy reports to the DEC’s National Director and has no direct reports.

Responsibilities:

Policy Leadership and Management

  • In collaboration with the DEC’s National Director, design and lead the Coalition’s nascent Advocacy Team to develop, refine, implement, and evaluate the DEC’s national advocacy model and strategies; set short- and long-term goals for this work; identify and advance policy priorities; and develop work plans.
  • Review and provide written analysis of legislation, administrative rules and guidance, and regulatory policy related to caregiving, health care access, healthy aging, and addressing disparities for diverse older adults and their caregivers for diverse audiences.
  • Proactively and responsively engage in policy development and positive systems change related to the DEC’s advocacy priority areas.
  • Request and lead high-level meetings with legislative, administrative, federal agency, and community decision makers on policy issues affecting the DEC’s communities. Establish and maintain relationships with these key decision-making offices and allies.

Community and Partner Engagement

  • Build and manage relationships with strategic advocacy partners (external to the Coalition) to identify shared policy priorities and opportunities for collaboration.
  • Participate in relevant coalitions, task forces, work groups, and other efforts that offer the opportunity to advance the DEC’s advocacy goals.
  • Represent the DEC in panels, conferences, media interviews, webinars and other public speaking events.
  • Provide subject-matter expertise and education for community partners, practitioners, and policymakers through the DEC’s websites, written reports, newsletters, conference presentations, webinars and other DEC publications

Other

  • Work with other DEC staff and Coalition members in support of DEC’s overall mission.

Qualifications:

While no one person embodies all of the qualities outlined below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes and experiences:

Required

  • Minimum 4 years’ experience in policy advocacy, preferably on issues related to aging, caregiving, health, and/or social, gender and racial justice.
  • Experience working with, or a personal connection to, the unique needs of at least one of the DEC’s constituent communities, which includes racially and ethnically diverse populations, American Indian and Alaska Native communities, and / or lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) communities preferred.
  • Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree or equivalent experience in public policy or administration, social sciences, or other relevant fields preferred. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.
  • Demonstrated ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders ranging from policy makers to community partners. Ability to work effectively across diverse and marginalized communities, and to bring in allies from across diverse communities.
  • Familiarity with Capitol Hill’s procedures and processes.
  • Experience analyzing impact of laws, regulations, and legislative proposals. Demonstrated ability to analyze, distill, and frame key policy issues.
  • Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Moderate travel required, depending on the pandemic. Willingness to work occasional nights or weekends as required.

Preferred

  • Experience working on legislative and other advocacy campaigns.
  • Expertise in identifying and applying policy advocacy models, including theories of change and traditional and new approaches to advocacy (including digital advocacy).
  • Excellent writing skills, including the ability to write in a variety of formats for a range of audiences
  • Self-motivated, with the ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
  • Project/campaign management. Supervision or coalition leadership experience a plus.
  • Strong research, writing, public speaking, and negotiation skills.
  • Creativity and nimbleness – interest in testing new strategies and tactics and working with new partners.
  • Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple assignments and to adapt easily to changing priorities, while maintaining a high attention to detail.
  • Community engagement experience through community-based organizations.

Compensation

$75,000- 90,000 annually, based on experience level. The Diverse Elders Coalition also offers a competitive benefits package, including health, dental, and life insurance; Flexible Spending Account; 401(k) retirement savings plan with 5% automatic employer contribution; paid parental and gender affirming leave, sabbatical leave, and compensatory time; federal holidays, sick time, and 23 total vacation and personal days per year.

Application Process

Application Deadline Priority deadline: April 1, 2022
Preferred start date: May 23, 2022

Those interested in this position may apply by submitting a letter of interest, a current resume, and a brief writing sample (preferably policy-related, no more than 3 pages). Please submit your electronic application package in PDF format to careers@sageusa.org. Please include “DEC Director of Advocacy” in the subject line.

Application Timeline Estimate

  • Round 1 interviews: April 5 – 8
  • Round 2 interviews + exercise presentation: April 18- 22
  • Reference checks: April 26 – 28
  • Offer: early May