Jobs and Internships

Director of Policy and Communications

Position Summary:

The Director of Policy and Communications will lead Children’s HealthWatch’s federal, state, and local policy strategy and advocacy and external communications strategy of the organization. This includes: identifying opportunities for advancing evidence-based policies that promote health equity, supervising a Senior Research and Policy Analyst, communications and policy interns, supporting relationships with foundations and contributing to grant applications, working closely with the Children’s HealthWatch Advisory Board on their work to support policy, communications, and strategy of the organization, and drafting, and editing press releases and policy publications in collaboration with Children’s HealthWatch Principal Investigators and staff and BMC Communications and Government Affairs teams.

Children’s HealthWatch is a nonpartisan network of pediatricians, public health researchers, and children’s health and policy experts committed to improving children’s health in America. In accordance with the work and ethos of Children’s HealthWatch, the Director of Policy and Communications will be expected to uphold and advance racial and health equity in all of their work. We believe that all children (and their caregivers), regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, disability, citizenship status, or sexual orientation, have the right to good physical, mental and emotional health

Position: Director of Policy and Communications – Children’s HealthWatch

Department: CHW Anonymous # 1

Schedule: Full Time

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

Multisite/ Center Duties – under supervision of Executive Director (80%)

Research and Writing

Drafts and edits evidence-based policy publications, press releases, op-eds, and policy-relevant presentations in collaboration with Children’s HealthWatch Leadership, Principal Investigators, and staff. Provides policy-relevant feedback on peer-reviewed publications, research proposals, analyses, and publications
Leads legislative policy work of Children’s HealthWatch by identifying policy priorities for review and approval by the Executive Council and Leadership teams, leading the policy team, and identifying opportunities to advance priorities through participation in and leadership of coalitions, legislative meetings, and conferences as well as communicating internally on policy progress and strategy. Drafts and submits, in collaboration with Leadership, Principal Investigators and staff, testimonies, letters, and feedback with Children’s HealthWatch research to legislative and administrative policies. Supports PIs, Leadership, and others as designated for preparation for testimony at hearings, briefings, and press-related events Supervises and supports the Senior Research & Policy Analyst in advancing state and federal policy priorities Co-leads the Healthy Families Tax Credits Coalition with the Senior Research and Policy Analyst Acts as a liaison between Children’s HealthWatch and BMC Government Advocacy, keeping both teams updated

Oversees communications strategies of Children’s HealthWatch in coordination with the Executive Director, Director of System Implementation Strategies, Program Manager, and Equity and Inclusion Associate Coordinates with the Program Manager and the Communications VISTA volunteers in creating content for Children’s HealthWatch social media outlets and website Works closely with the policy and communication teams to develop a communications strategy for the website and specific projects and publications Acts as a liaison between Children’s HealthWatch and BMC Corporate Communications Department

Fundraising

Supports relationship cultivation with foundations and private donors Coordinates with main point of contact, Director of System Implementation Strategies, on content for policy-relevant funded projects Reviews and contributes to grant proposals and reports for review and approval by Children’s HealthWatch Leadership and BMC Office of Development

Hospital Responsibilities (included in time allocations above)

Is responsible for the safety of staff and equipment related to the study Conforms to hospital standards of performance and conduct, including those pertaining to patient rights, so that the best possible customer service and patient care may be provided. Utilizes Hospital’s Values as the basis for decision-making and to facilitate the division’s hospital mission. Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.

(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job. The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:
Master’s degree in related field (may consider candidates with Bachelor’s degree who have at least 6 years directly related policy and/or research experience).

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:
None

EXPERIENCE:
Minimum of five years’ experience in policy advocacy and communications for public health or related field, with at least 3 years in a leadership or supervisory role. Additional experience with public health research preferred.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:
Commitment to the advancement of racial and health equity among families with children
Knowledge of state and federal legislative processes and federal advocacy experience.
Commitment to evidence-based and equity-focused policy analysis and policymaking
Demonstrated policy and press writing skills
Demonstrated ability to plan and execute a communications strategy, including campaigns
Ability to effectively supervise staff, including those working remotely
Experience in writing grants and working with funders a plus
Must be highly organized and detail-oriented, have exceptional oral communication and writing skills, and be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment
Demonstrated proficiency in project management, including planning, execution, delivery, quality assurance, and reporting.
Strong ability to gather information and seek multiple perspectives.
Experience working on and/or with boards.
Research skills and experience with public health research a plus
Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work in teams, relate to people, and manage conflict.
Excellent English communication skills (oral and written).
Experience with special needs and circumstances of young children helpful.
Cultural sensitivity and comfort working with diverse socioeconomic, racial and ethnic populations.
Knowledge of MS Office applications, database systems, and the Internet.
Able to maintain strict confidentiality of all personal/health-sensitive information.
Willingness to learn new electronic systems.
Must be a proactive problem solver with superb planning, program coordination, and leadership skills.

Click here to apply.

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AmeriCorps VISTA Year of Service with Children’s HealthWatch

Position Title: AmeriCorps VISTA Communications Associate

Description: Children’s HealthWatch has extensive research that demonstrates the impact of poverty and hunger on health. Informed by this evidence, we focus on solutions to support families with low incomes, so leaders and decision makers can prevent and mitigate these circumstances. However, the challenge of regularly and effectively communicating this research with stakeholders and decision makers through social media and traditional media outlets, as well as the capacity for comprehensive communications strategies, has impeded the impact of our research.

The Children’s HealthWatch AmeriCorps VISTA program will expand current Children’s HealthWatch efforts by leveraging the expertise of a VISTA volunteer to strategically design and implement an effective communications strategy rooted in racial equity that will ultimately build long-term sustainability within our organization and address hunger and poverty in the US. The AmeriCorps VISTA Communications Associate will work closely with and under the guidance of the Children’s HealthWatch leadership team to strengthen our organization-wide communications, strategic communications, and promote equity in all aspects of the organization’s communications work.

This is a full-time position through AmeriCorps that involves a one-year commitment. To see further examples of Children’s HealthWatch objectives and tasks for AmeriCorps VISTAs, please read the full assignment description linked below.

Read the full VISTA Assignment Description (VAD) here!