POLITICAL AND LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS ASSOCIATE

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 Political and Legislative Affairs Associate to help them in building political power for reproductive freedom. 

This is a benefits eligible, full-time, non-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 $52,500- $57,500, commensurate with experience.  

THE ROLE 

Reporting to, and working hand in hand with, the Vice President of Political and Legislative Affairs, the Political and Legislative Affairs Associate helps implement legislative strategy at the state and local level to promote proactive abortion, contraception, and reproductive rights legislation in coalition with partners across the country.  The Associate represents NIRH in state and local coalitions to assess partner needs for technical assistance, takes part in electoral engagement for local, county, state, and congressional level elections and the NIRHAF PAC. The Associate, with all organizational staff, is responsible for using a racial justice and equity lens in all the government and political affairs work. 

NIRH offers several workplace options including in-office, hybrid and remote. In this (office or hybrid) role however, the Associate will be required to also participate in public events including press conferences, rallies, educational events and more, and therefore must be based in the greater NYC area and be willing to engage in local travel and travel to Albany.   

WHAT YOU’LL DO 

  • Participate in shaping the vision and agenda for NIRH’s government and political efforts. 
  • Work cross-departmentally to provide capacity building and technical assistance for national partners on lobbying, government affairs, power mapping and electoral engagement. 
  • Participate in the NYC and NYS coalitions to advance and expand reproductive health, rights and justice in New York City and NY State.   
  • Engage in in movement building and mobilization 
  • Support lobbying efforts as well as electoral work and engagement. 
  • Provide timely submission of workplans and associated reports as well as other administrative tasks to advance accurate departmental recordkeeping and reporting. 
  • Manage administrative tasks as needed including list management and legislative tracking 
  • Contribute to building and managing a culture of inclusion and equity at an increasingly diverse organization.  

WHAT YOU’LL BRING 

  • Two to three years of political and government affairs experience in lobbying, community and/or electoral organizing. 
  • Familiarity with legislative and executive policy, and ability to adapt to ever-changing political and social dynamics. 
  • General, non-expert knowledge of reproductive health, rights and justice landscape in the US. 
  • Coalition leadership skills and comfort with coalition management and administration. 
  • Deep commitment to progressive social justice goals, with the ability to clearly and consistently define and apply reproductive justice and anti-racist principles  
  • Strong interpersonal relationship management skills. 
  • Experience with public facing writing and speaking 
  • Willingness to learn new systems of technology and databases. 

WHAT WE OFFER 

  • Employer paid medical, dental and vision insurance 
  • Generous time off package including vacation days, paid holidays, sick days and personal days 
  • 401k employee matching 
  • Flexible Spending Account 
  • Employee Assistance Program 
  • Hybrid work schedule 

TO APPLY 

Email a cover letter and resume to [email protected] with “Political and Legislative Affairs Associate” in the subject line. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. All applications must be received via email. 

WHO WE ARE 

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. For decades, our strategy has been to go on the offensive, at the state and local level, so we have a long track record of passing laws that are safeguarding and advancing access.    

In states and cities across the country, we launch campaigns, change policy, and elect candidates who champion our cause, all by working hand-in-hand with reproductive health, rights, and justice organizations; health care providers; and other groups invested in this fight.  We partner in communities where change is needed and where we can make a difference. At the national level, we engage in groundbreaking public opinion research, proactive policy initiatives, and innovative advocacy campaigns to help reshape the national conversation about reproductive freedom.  

Our approach to advocacy, policy, and politics strives to center the people who are most impacted by barriers to care, historically underserved, and often under-represented — Black women and Black communities, Indigenous and other communities of color, low-income people, and immigrants.  

We don’t just push back against restrictions on reproductive autonomy; we fight for a society in which everyone has the freedom and ability to control their reproductive and sexual lives.  

NIRH/NIRHAF IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER  

In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at NIRH/NIRHAF will be based on merit, qualifications, abilities, and on the needs of NIRH/NIRHAF. This organization does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sex, religion, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, marital status, veteran status or other military status, alienage or citizenship status, genetic carrier status, AIDS, AIDS-related complex or HIV status, or any other characteristic protected by Federal, State or local law.