Policy & Advocacy Coordinator, Diverse Elders Coalition

Founded in 2010, the Diverse Elders Coalition (DEC) works to improve aging in our underserved communities. Our six member organizations are trusted, committed experts on aging in the communities they represent, and together, we have developed a powerful voice committed to ensuring that diverse elders have a say in the policies and programs that impact our lives. Our member organizations include:

• • National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) – Seattle, WA
  • National Caucus & Center on Black Aging (NCBA) – Washington, DC
  • National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA) – Washington, DC
  • National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA) – Albuquerque, NM
  • SAGE – New York, NY
  • Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC) – Washington, DC

The DEC is a values-driven organization supported by a small team working remotely. Our projects and work are highly collaborative within the organization, across the Coalition, and with external stakeholders.

Summary:

The Diverse Elders Coalition (DEC) is seeking an energetic, proactive Policy and Advocacy (P&A) Coordinator to support our Coalition’s aging advocacy. The P&A Coordinator will help monitor and coordinate relevant advocacy opportunities; organize meetings and events with key policymakers; and deepen community engagement with Coalition members and other partners in the Aging field.

In partnership with the DEC’s National Director, Programs and Communications Manager, and Coalition members, the P&A Coordinator will support the Coalition’s Advocacy Task Force through monthly meetings, regular updates, and organized actions to better coordinate coalition-wide advocacy work and advance the Coalition’s policy priorities.

Excellent skills in bill and policy tracking, meeting coordination, and systems organization are essential for success in the role. The P&A Coordinator will bring a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in policy and/or advocacy support, preferably on issues related to aging, caregiving, health, and/or social, gender, and racial justice. We are looking for someone who is committed to social justice, interested in improving the lives of older adults and family caregivers in diverse communities, and excited to work toward our vision of a just, equitable world.

The P&A Coordinator reports to the DEC’s National Director and has no direct reports.

Responsibilities:

Policy Support

• In collaboration with the DEC’s National Director, monitor and track relevant federal and state legislation, administrative rules and guidance, and regulatory policy related to caregiving, health care access, healthy aging, and addressing disparities for diverse older adults and their caregivers for a variety of audiences;
• Assist the National Director in crafting, analyzing, and advocating for the Coalition’s policy priorities;
• Assist the National Director in crafting policy recommendations and proposals, including comments, testimony, and draft rules and legislation;
• Assist the National Director in drafting internal and external reports, fact sheets, and policy and briefing documents.

Advocacy Support

• Coordinate meeting requests with legislative, administrative, agency, and community decision makers on policy issues affecting the DEC’s communities;
• Facilitate in-person advocacy engagement in Washington, DC, including advocacy days, fly-ins, and meetings with congressional offices;
• Support the development and circulation of Coalition talking points, advocacy materials, sign-on letters, action alerts, etc., both among DEC members and external audiences;
• In collaboration with DEC’s Programs and Communications Manager, support the development of online content, including for the DEC website, blog, newsletter, and social media;
• Coordinate closely with the Programs and Communications Manager across policy, program, and education, including webinars, conference presentations, advocacy trainings, etc.

Administrative Support

• • Develop metrics and reports to track advocacy impact and growth;
• Create effective internal systems for organizing the Coalition’s advocacy activities.

Community and Partner Engagement

• Deepen relationships with strategic advocacy partners (external to the Coalition) to help promote shared policy priorities and opportunities for collaboration;
• Represent the Coalition as needed in relevant coalitions, task forces, work groups, and other efforts that offer the opportunity to advance the DEC’s advocacy goals.

Required Qualifications:

While no one person embodies all the qualities outlined below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences:

Required

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in policy advocacy, preferably on issues related to aging, caregiving, health, and/or social, gender and racial justice;
• Experience working with, or a personal connection to, the unique needs of at least one of the DEC’s constituent communities, which includes racially and ethnically diverse populations, American Indian and Alaska Native communities, and / or lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) communities preferred;
• Bachelor’s degree required. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above;
• Ability to work effectively across diverse and marginalized communities, and to bring in allies from across diverse communities;
• Demonstrated ability to research, track, and analyze legislation, regulations, and policies;
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple assignments and to adapt easily to changing priorities, while maintaining a high attention to detail;
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite;
• Some travel required to attend member and Aging conferences;
• Willingness to work occasional nights or weekends as needed.

Preferred qualifications:

• Capitol Hill experience preferred, including familiarity with Capitol Hill’s procedures and processes;
• Experience working on legislative and other advocacy campaigns;
• Strong research and writing skills;
• Project management skills;
• Self-motivated, with the ability to work well independently and as part of a small, tight-knit team;
• Community engagement experience through community-based organizations.

Desired Qualities and Values of DEC Staff

• High integrity
• Personal commitment to social justice
• Experience with anti-racism/anti-discrimination work
• Commitment to upholding the self-determination of Indigenous people, and tribal sovereignty
• Empathy and compassion for colleagues and partners
• Respect for political diversity
• Commitment to nonpartisan advocacy
• Well-organized
• Self-starter
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to use technology to work remotely

Department: Diverse Elders Coalition (135)

Status: Full-time, Exempt

Location: Greater D.C. Area. Options for remote work from home or co-working setup in the Greater D.C. area. This position will require meetings in Washington, D.C. (and potentially other locations in the region); it is strongly preferred that the Policy & Advocacy Coordinator live within commuting distance of Washington, D.C.

Schedule: 35 hours per week

Salary Range: $50,000-60,000

Reports to: Didier Trinh, National Director

Benefits: SAGE offers an attractive benefits package.