Director of Policy & Research

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About National Institute for Reproductive Health

The National Institute for Reproductive Health (NIRH) and the National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund (NIRH Action Fund) are advocacy groups that fight for just and equitable access to reproductive health care and build political power for reproductive freedom. We launch campaigns, change policy, and elect candidates, all by working hand-in-hand with reproductive health, rights, and justice organizations in states and cities across the country. We work in the communities where the need is great and we can make a difference, so the fabric of reproductive freedom is harder to tear apart. 

The National Institute for Reproductive Health (NIRH) and the National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund (NIRH Action Fund), advocacy groups that fight for just and equitable access to reproductive health care, are seeking a full-time Director of Policy and Research to help them in building political power for reproductive freedom. 

This is a benefit eligible, full time, exempt position that will require 35 hours of work, with flexibility, during normal business hours, Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 6 PM. The annual salary for this position is between $115,000 – $125,000 commensurate with experience. 

THE ROLE 

Reporting to, and partnering closely with, the VP of Policy & Research, the Director of Policy and Research will lead and coordinate NIRH’s policy work across the organization’s three campaign priorities: ensuring access to abortion care through policies that improve affordability; ensuring people have access to culturally congruent and affirming pregnancy care; and protecting and reducing the criminalization of pregnant people and reproductive health care providers by improving data privacy. 

This role brings deep policy expertise to campaign architecture, working alongside state and local partners to develop legislation, secure administrative and regulatory changes, and build the policy infrastructure that makes durable wins possible across state and political contexts. 

The Policy Director will shape strategy for NIRH’s public funding and coverage work, with a particular focus on Medicaid, insurance coverage, and appropriations across multiple states. The role applies an intersectional and reproductive justice lens to all policy development and advocacy efforts. 

WHAT YOU’LL DO 

  • Lead policy and advocacy strategy to develop legislation, regulations, and other policy solutions that expand coverage and funding for reproductive health care, including pregnancy care and abortion and ensure those solutions are implemented
  • Identify creative, strategic pathways to advance policy and serve as a thought partner and subject-matter expert on emerging policy opportunities
  • Co-develop policy and campaign strategy with state-based partners, serving as a peer strategist and subject-matter expert on public funding and coverage, bringing deep policy knowledge into shared problem-solving and ideation
  • Generate replicable policy frameworks, model legislation, and advocacy resources drawing from Lab cohort work and from active engagement in Medicaid, health equity, budget, and appropriations spaces and coalitions
  • Build NIRH’s profile as a trusted expert in reproductive health policy by contributing substantive expertise in external meetings, convenings, and collaborative spaces
  • Draft and review legislative, regulatory, and advocacy materials, including policy memos, testimony, comments, and partner-facing guidance. 

WHAT YOU’LL BRING 

  • 7 to 12 years of policy and advocacy experience, including at least 3 years of state level advocacy experience
  • Demonstrated success advancing state legislation and/or securing administrative or regulatory policy changes
  • Demonstrated experience working at the intersections of policy issues such as Medicaid and reproductive health, including birth justice
  • Deep expertise in at least one, preferably two, of the following areas:
    • State Medicaid programs and coverage policies related to reproductive health care  State appropriations and budget processes across multiple states
    • Administrative advocacy with Medicaid programs, insurance commissioners, and other relevant state regulatory bodies
  • Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills, with the ability to turn complex legal and policy concepts into actionable guidance
  • Strong relationship-building skills and experience working collaboratively with external partners, coalitions, and cross-functional teams
  • Commitment to applying an intersectional and reproductive justice lens to policy recommendations and advocacy
  • Preferred but not required:
    • Experience working at the intersection of policy advocacy and political or electoral strategy, including coordinating policy positions with campaign timelines, candidate engagement, or legislative peaks
    • Law degree
    • Experience working in a state or local administrative agency. 

WHAT WE OFFER 

  • Employer paid medical, dental and vision insurance
  • Generous time off package including vacation days, paid holidays, sick days, personal days and your birthday off
  • 401k employee matching
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Fully remote from anywhere in the US
  • Work from home stipend
  • Subscription to DeleteMe to protect employee’s personal information
  • Annual professional development budget available for each employee 

Apply Here

EEO statement

The National Institute for Reproductive Health and NIRH Action Fund is an equal opportunity employer. NIRH and NIRH Action Fund strives to build and support an equitable work community that attracts, develops, and retains exceptional people. As a member of the reproductive freedom movement, NIRH aims to foster leadership and raise the voices of historically marginalized people, including but not limited to Black people and people of color, indigenous/native peoples, LGBTQ and gender non-conforming people, disabled/differently abled people, immigrants, and low-income people. We strongly encourage candidates of these and other diverse backgrounds to apply.

Equity Statement

NIRH and NIRH Action Fund staff and board have committed to racial equity, and as such have been engaged in a multi-year process to adopt a racial equity lens across the organizations. We are a reproductive health and rights organization that incorporates reproductive justice values into our work. We recognize the interconnectivity of identities, such as race, socio-economic status, immigration status, ability, and sex, including sexual orientation, and gender identity, and how they interact with systems of oppressions to shape and impact a person’s freedom and ability to control their reproductive and sexual lives. As a result, this person will join an organization that’s currently engaged in shifting its institutional framework.