ABOUT US
UnidosUS, previously known as NCLR (National Council of La Raza), is the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization. Through its unique combination of expert research, advocacy, programs, and an Affiliate Network of nearly 300 community-based organizations across the United States and Puerto Rico, UnidosUS simultaneously challenges the social, economic, and political barriers that affect Latinos at the national and local levels. For more than 50 years, UnidosUS has united communities and different groups seeking common ground through collaboration, and that share a desire to make our community stronger. For more information on UnidosUS, visit www.unidosus.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
SUMMARY
The Housing Policy Advisor will advance organizational priorities in housing and homeownership policy at the federal and state levels, housed in the Policy and Advocacy component in support of the Home Ownership Means Equity (HOME) initiative. The Housing Policy Advisor will lead policy development and drive a policy agenda that works to eliminate barriers and leverage opportunities to increase Latino homeownership.
The work includes developing and advancing regulatory policies, legislative actions, appropriations budget, and policy positions that shape industry practices and influence access to affordable housing and homeownership opportunities. The Housing Policy Advisor will conduct policy analyses, publish policy papers and issue briefs, and develop and share congressional testimony for diverse audiences.
Additional responsibilities include working with colleagues to plan and carry out advocacy campaigns and efforts at the federal and state levels. The role will collaborate with colleagues in UnidosUS policy, economic initiatives, communications, legislative affairs, and programs teams to draw the linkages between housing policy and other issue areas impacting Latinos, such as health care, education, and immigration.
The Housing Policy Advisor must have excellent judgement on political opportunities for housing, a deep understanding of the broad housing ecosystem, and the ability to represent UnidosUS housing priorities to a diverse range of audiences. The role must effectively represent UnidosUS on housing policy matters by engaging with policymakers, industry stakeholders, and community leaders, fostering partnerships that enhance UnidosUS's influence as a strong advocate for equitable housing policies.
The position is hybrid, and will be based in Washington, DC.
Salary: $94,400-$104,900
Essential Functions:
- Develop, lead and execute a policy plan and advocacy campaigns to advance UnidosUS’ housing policy agenda at the federal and state levels.
- Lead and collaborate on drafting, editing, and publishing relevant housing public policies that affect the Latino community and advance homeownership opportunity.
- Congressional and Administrative advocacy with federal agencies (e.g., U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Housing Administration, the Federal Housing Finance Agency and the Enterprises, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) to advance a housing policy agenda that supports future Latino homebuyers and existing homeowners, including non-English speakers, immigrants, and mixed-status families.
- Analyze emerging federal housing policy issues and state housing policy trends, including those reported by the UnidosUS Affiliate Network (grassroots organizations at the local level), and produce policy publications including issue briefs, white papers, conference papers, presentations, and testimony, using primary and secondary research sources.
- Serve as UnidosUS’s institutional expert on housing policy, including homeownership policy solutions that improve housing affordability and wealth-building opportunities for Latino families.
- Represent UnidosUS on housing policy issues in high-visibility forums, including meetings with congressional staff, policymakers, issue experts and stakeholders, national conferences, and the media.
- Lead, convene, and participate in coalitions of experts and advocates on select housing and homeownership policy issues.
- Provide strategic policy recommendations, as appropriate, to UnidosUS leadership, including the organization’s Cabinet and the President and CEO on housing policy.
Qualifications & Requirements:
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in relevant field of economics, urban planning, or public policy.
- Minimum of five (5) years of relevant housing, community or economic development policy experience.
- In-depth knowledge of policy analysis, with a demonstrated ability to analyze and develop new policy ideas.
- Extensive and strong writing ability, including developing and writing articles, studies, reports, or other publicly available documents.
- Knowledge of housing policy issues, including access to affordable housing and homeownership.
- Experience communicating housing policy ideas in public settings such as coalition meetings, congressional briefings, major conferences, and with the media.
- Robust experience working with underserved populations and strong cultural competence.
Desired Qualifications
- Master’s degree preferred in relevant field of economics, urban planning, or public policy.
- Experience working for a nonprofit organization, a housing regulator, or on Capitol Hill.
Skills and Abilities
- Steadfast commitment to UnidosUS mission, vision, and values
- (Excellence, Respeto, Accountability).
- Commitment to U.S. Latino community, Latino nonprofit organizations, and the Latino market a plus.
- Project management skills suited to a dynamic work environment with multiple ongoing responsibilities, tight deadlines, and expectations for high-quality work.
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
- Commitment to excellence and high standards.
- Ability to work independently and as a member of various teams and committees.
- Acute attention to detail.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite more specifically, Office 365
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills a plus.
Competencies
- Analytical-Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures.
- Problem Solving-Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
- Project Management--Develops project plans; Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Manages project team activities.
- Oral Communication--Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
- Written Communication--Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
- Teamwork--Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
- Strategic Thinking--Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; Understands organization's strengths & weaknesses; Analyzes market and competition; Identifies external threats and opportunities; Adapts strategy to changing conditions.
- Initiative--Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
- Accurately complete detailed forms and reports.
- Coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously
- Perform some repetitive motion activities
- Sit for long periods of time
- Frequently/Continually required to talk or hear
- Occasionally required to lift/push light weights up to 25 pounds
- Specific vision abilities required for this job include [close vision, distance vision, peripheral, depth, and ability to adjust or focus]
- The noise level in the work environment usually is quiet to moderately loud
- Travel in the U.S. and onsite presence for media events and activities
- Occasional evening/weekend events, with advance notice
COVID-19 Considerations:
- All employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID - 19.
The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Employment with UnidosUS is contingent upon the successful completion of a background screen.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, marital status, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, personal appearance, family responsibilities, political affiliation, or enrollment in a college, university, technical school, or adult education.