National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF)

Position description

The National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF) is the only national, multi-issue Asian and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women’s advocacy organization in the United States. We are building a movement to advance social justice and human rights for AAPI women and girls in the U.S. We implement our vision by increasing the leadership, power and visibility of AAPI women and girls through five strategies: base-building and leadership development; research and public education; government affairs advocacy, grassroots multi-issue organizing; and strategic collaborations. Founded in 1996, we are a growing and dynamic organization with staff in four cities and local chapters in fifteen cities

POSITION OVERVIEW

The NAPAWF Chief Government affairs and Policy officer reports to and works closely with the Executive Director (ED) to devise and develop the organization’s public policy and government affairs agenda on behalf of NAPAWF’s constituents and the broader AAPI community. The Chief is responsible not only for the management of the government affairs and Policy departments but also develops, implements, and coordinates with the ED, the organization’s government affairs strategies. As a member of the senior leadership team helps to secure and maintain the organization’s financial health, and overall efficacy.

POSITION DUTIES

Strategic Direction

• Provide strategic vision for how to advance NAPAWF’s legislative priorities in Congress, the Administration, and in State governments;
• In collaboration with the ED, develops the strategic plan for the department and leads the implementation of that plan.
• Leads the organization and its members in the priority-making and implementation of a federal legislative agenda for AAPI women.

Program/Project Management

• Directs, oversees, edits, and approves government affairs materials including reports, statements, congressional testimony, and talking points to educate government officials, legislators and the general public
• Ensures that the departments effectively promote the government affairs and public policy goals of NAPAWF and its constituents
• Frame legislative issues, develop talking points and program guidance, draft legislative, testimony and correspondence and formulate government affairs and policy recommendations
• Engage with congressional staff, state legislators, constituency groups, and key allies on behalf of NAPAWF as appropriate.
• Remain current regarding major legislative actions, events, key issues, and legislation and other written status reports on key federal, state, and local issues and legislation that arise from time-to-time,
• Critically identify and analyze legislative documents relevant to NAPAWF and its Members; and take the lead in developing advocacy strategies in anticipation or response.
• May be asked to answer questions about legislation for reporters, legislative committee members or other legislative staff.

Staff Management and Leadership

• Oversee the Government affairs and Policy departments to ensure they develop and implement the organizations’ government affairs, policy, and advocacy agenda.
• Manage and provide leadership, guidance, and development opportunities to staff in the Government affairs and Policy Departments.
• Oversee the development of the Government affairs and Policy Departments budgets and provide initial approval

Relationships and Collaboration

• Advance the organizations’ advocacy agenda and government affairs goals through meetings, presentations, testimony, convenings, and interaction with elected officials, government authorities, and other external audiences.
• Serve as the organizations’ representative on panels, at conferences, and in the media as appropriate.
• Create and coordinate the production of external reports, briefs, and other types of thought leadership that enhance the organization’s reputation and advance its government affairs agenda.
• Dissect and translate proposals/legislation and advance government affairs initiatives working closely with government officials, legislators and regulatory officials
• Liaise with relevant stakeholders to facilitate implementation of NAPAWF’s government affairs, public policy, and legislative recommendations and initiatives.

Qualifications

• Strategic management experience, including having successfully encouraged professional development, excellence, and camaraderie among direct reports
• Budgeting and financial experience
• Excellent writing and editing skills, including the ability to produce finished work products
• Strong research and analytical skills, including drafting and analyzing legislative language
• Strong knowledge of and commitment to NAPAWF’s mission and Identity
• Ability to manage multiple and diverse responsibilities
• Strong working knowledge of AAPI cultures and the relevant government affairs issues
• Strong organizational skills to handle multiple overlapping projects.
• Excellent problem solving and negotiation skills;
• Significant experience directly managing professional staff and working with diverse teams.
• Must be skilled at implementing a focused approach to engaging and educating key decision-makers
• Minimum seven years government affairs expertise, including drafting and reviewing legislation, direct or grass-roots lobbying, authoring advocacy briefs, and coalition-building
• An innovative thinker who is able to translate strategic thinking into action.
• An ability to work with multi-issue, inter-departmental teams and community leaders.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary for this position is $100,000-$125,000 commensurate with experience. A highly competitive benefits package includes a 401k plan, medical, dental, and vision insurance. NAPAWF’s medical plan is covered by NAPAWF at 100% for employee and dependents with no out of pocket costs, including prescription drugs costs. Qualified dependents may also be covered. NAPAWF also offers full-time employees 15 days of vacation in the first year, sick leave, flexible spending program options and personal/family leave as well as paid vacation between December 25th and January 2nd of each year.

Application instructions