Position: Health Care Policy Analyst

Location: Washington, DC preferred
Post Date: October 28, 2008
Closing Date: Open until filled

About the Center for Community Change

The Center for Community Change is a national social justice non-profit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C.  Founded in 1968 to honor the life and values of Robert F. Kennedy, we are one of the longest standing champions for low-income families and communities of color. Throughout our history, the Center has strengthened the leadership, voice and power of low-income communities nationwide to confront the vital issues of today and build the social movements of tomorrow.

Our work has contributed to the creation of the food stamps program, the enactment of the Community Reinvestment Act, the growth of community development corporations, and the creation and preservation of affordable housing. Today we are leading efforts to advance fair and humane immigration reform, increase voter participation in communities of color and develop the next generation of social justice organizers. The Center has brought the issues and values of low-income communities to the forefront of the political debate with presidential candidate forums in the 2004 and 2008 election cycles. For further information please visit our website at: www.communitychange.org.

Position Description:

This position is to support the work of the Health Rights Organizing Project (HROP), a joint project between the Center for Community Change (CCC), and the Northwest Federation of Community Organizations (NWFCO). Twenty-five community organizations from twenty-two states participate in HROP. The goal of the project is to campaign for expanding public health insurance and create universal coverage for all. This position will be accountable to both the CCC supervisor and the NWFCO Executive Director and service the needs of all staff on the organizations’ joint health care team.

The Center’s sister organization the Campaign for Community Change is a member of Health Care for America Now ! (HCAN) – a bold coalition created to win inclusive and affordable health care for all. CCC will be working with this effort on C3 related research and policy analysis to support the work of over a dozen organizations in as many states to assist in the development and execution of popular education, earned media, grassroots lobbying and other tactics designed to secure support for legislation matching a set of policy principles ( go to www.healthcareforamericanow.org to learn more.)

Principal Responsibilities:

• Track national, state and local policy activities and needs, and identify potential HROP partnerships and activities based on those findings.
• Keep HROP partner groups updated on legislative developments.
• Represent HROP position to partner organizations, policy makers and their staff, and others.
• Represent HROP in a new national healthcare coalition: Health Care For America Now ! (HCAN) and help to shape HCAN policy positions, help generate reports to support HCAN principles and help share HCAN message and materials
• Work closely with HROP staff to disseminate relevant information to national and local partners, policy makers, the media, and communities.
• Conduct research and strategic analysis in support of grassroots initiatives to change national, state and local policies.
• Create research products for HROP community partners, national allies and media outlets including strategic memos, policy briefs, reports, fact sheets and other products as needed.
• Coordinate HROP activities on Capitol Hill. This may include lobbying, setting up Congressional meetings for partners, preparing partners for meetings, testimony or other activities.

Qualifications:

•  Experience in the national policy making process, which may include experience as a policy analyst on Capitol Hill, academic research, or community work around issues of importance to low-income communities. Knowledge of health care policies affecting low-income and immigrant families.
• Experience working with community organizing groups and their constituencies on policy campaigns, communicating complex policies to grassroots constituencies and assisting grassroots organizations in developing effective issue campaigns.
• Willingness to accept guidance and direction from grassroots organizations and organizers engaged in health care policy reform efforts. A willingness to travel to meet one on one with organizers at partner organizations.
• A proven commitment to CCC’s mission of helping low-income people develop the power and capacity to improve their communities and bring about broader social change.
• A fundamental understanding of the federal and state legislative process is required, as well as demonstrated ability to execute relevant tasks throughout the process (particularly, legislative and political strategy development) and effectively negotiate with key players (i.e., Congressional members, their staff, and representatives of the Administration).
• Experience and comfort working as a part of a multi-disciplinary team, able to contribute based on expert knowledge or otherwise, as needed.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills are a must.
• The ability to produce consistent, quality work in a fast-paced environment is essential.

This position reports to:  Health Care Team Leader

Salary & Benefits:  CCC offers a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package.

 Closing Date of Position:  Open Until Filled

How to apply: Please submit resume, cover letter that includes salary expectations and at least two writing samples to:

Center for Community Change
Human Resources
Re: Health Care Policy Analyst
1536 U Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009
(Fax) 202-387-4891
employment@communitychange.org