Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager will lead Mamatoto Village’s efforts to drive systemic change by integrating grassroots organizing, digital advocacy, and policy expertise at the local, state, and regional levels. This role is pivotal in amplifying the voices of Black birthing people and their families through legislative advocacy, coalition building, digital mobilization, community engagement, and internal capacity-building.

This position requires a dynamic and strategic leader who can navigate the intersections of activism, policy, and movement-building, ensuring that Mamatoto Village remains a leading force in maternal and child health (MCH), reproductive justice, and racial equity. The Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager will work under the direction of the Executive Director and will supervise the Outreach and Engagement Coordinator.

ATTRIBUTES OF COMPETITIVE CANDIDATES

The ideal candidate must have:

• Have at least 6-7 years of experience in advocacy, policy leadership, and community organizing.
• At least 3 years of experience supervising and mentoring staff, with a commitment to fostering an inclusive and justice-centered work environment.
• Be deeply committed to social justice, activism, and justice-driven policymaking.
• Possess strong digital advocacy skills, including experience with social media campaigns, online petitions, and virtual organizing.
• Demonstrate expertise in local, state, and federal policy, particularly in maternal and infant health, reproductive justice, racial equity, and social determinants of health.
• Be a strategic thinker and a bold advocate who can mobilize diverse communities and drive legislative change.
• Have experience in building internal organizational capacity for advocacy, including training staff on justice-centered practices.
• Proven ability to translate complex policy issues into accessible materials, such as community one-pagers and issue briefs.
• Capacity to lead training and internal advocacy workshops to build Mamatoto Village’s staff capacity for advocacy.
• Strong writing, research, and public speaking skills to engage policymakers, media, and community stakeholders effectively.

If you do not meet these qualifications, this position is not the right fit.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

• Lead policy and advocacy initiatives that align national, state, and local efforts to support Black maternal and child health.
• Build and implement grassroots advocacy strategies that empower communities and mobilize supporters.
• Provide strategic direction for digital advocacy efforts, including social media campaigns, email action alerts, and online organizing.
• Ensure Mamatoto Village’s policy work is data-driven, community-centered, and justice-focused.
• Oversee grant-funded advocacy initiatives and provide timely reports on progress and impact.
• Build internal capacity for advocacy by leading in-service workshops for Mamatoto Village staff, aligning advocacy efforts with the organization’s justice-centered culture work.

Policy & Advocacy

• Analyze local, state, and federal maternal and child health policies, particularly in relation to reproductive and birth justice, environmental justice, housing, food security, domestic violence, and other intersecting areas.
• Engage in direct advocacy with policymakers, testifying at hearings, and drafting policy recommendations.
• Provide technical assistance to policymakers, advocates, and community leaders, translating data into actionable policy insights.
• Support policy implementation to ensure accountability, transparency, and impact.
• Develop and lead digital advocacy campaigns, including social media engagement, online petitions, and targeted email actions.
• Organize town halls, advocacy forums, and community mobilization events in partnership with coalitions and grassroots organizations.
• As requested, represent Mamatoto Village at policy tables, legislative hearings, media engagements, and coalition meetings.
• Write issue briefs and synthesize policy information into community-friendly one-pagers to ensure accessibility and engagement.

Community Engagement & Organizing

• Train and mobilize grassroots advocates, ensuring that community voices shape policy decisions.
• Lead the development of the organization’s community advisory committee, overseeing recruitment, training, and advocacy skill-building.
• Strengthen partnerships with activists, advocacy organizations, and community leaders to advance Mamatoto Village’s policy priorities.

Digital Advocacy & Communications

• Collaborate with the communications team to develop compelling advocacy messaging, political education, and policy translation for social media, email campaigns, and website content.
• Utilize data-driven digital strategies to increase community engagement and mobilization efforts.
• Monitor and analyze emerging trends in digital advocacy to enhance Mamatoto Village’s reach and impact.

Research & Data

• Assist the research team as needed in conducting community-based participatory research to inform advocacy efforts.
• Collect and analyze policy and programmatic data to measure the impact of Mamatoto Village’s advocacy work.
• Translate research findings into accessible reports, issue briefs, and advocacy materials for policymakers and the public.

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in public policy, social work, public health, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Proven experience in grassroots organizing, community mobilization, and digital advocacy.
• Strong policy analysis skills, with the ability to interpret complex legislation and regulatory frameworks.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with experience drafting policy briefs, op-eds, and advocacy reports.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain coalitions and partnerships.
• High proficiency in digital advocacy tools, including social media, action platforms (e.g., Action Network, EveryAction), and email marketing software.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work under tight deadlines, and adapt to a fast-changing policy landscape.
• Commitment to anti-racism, reproductive justice, and justice-centered policymaking.
• Willingness to travel occasionally (estimated 10-15% of the time).

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

Mamatoto Village is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and diverse workplace. As a nonprofit organization, we actively seek to reflect the communities we serve. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds and experiences to apply, and we value diversity in all its forms.