US Federal Policy Counsel

Title: US Federal Policy Counsel

Department: Government and External Relations, US Federal Policy and Advocacy

Center Background: The Center for Reproductive Rights is a global human rights organization working to ensure that reproductive rights are protected in law as fundamental human rights worldwide. With offices in New York City, and Washington, D.C.; Nairobi, Kenya; Bogota,Colombia; and Geneva, Switzerland, the Center is a non-profit, non-partisan organization changing law and policy throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the United States. Our 230+ diverse professionals are committed to advancing the Center’s human rights mission through game-changing litigation, legal policy, and advocacy work. This has fueled the Center’s exceptional growth to an operating budget of more than $50 million and won the respect of law firms worldwide. Our global pro bono network includes over 2,100 lawyers across 6 continents, 88 countries, and 125 law firms, contributing over $30 million USD in pro bono legal services annually. The Center’s Strategic Plan sets a high mark for impact: By 2030, half of the world’s population will be living under stronger protections for reproductive rights than they were in 2020. The Center has a record of success to back up this ambitious goal. Since our founding in 1992, the Center has transformed how reproductive rights are understood and applied by courts, governments, and human rights bodies worldwide on issues including maternal health, abortion, assisted reproduction, and adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights. We have won groundbreaking cases before national courts, U.N. Committees, and regional human rights bodies. The Center has also led development of historic, proactive legislation advancing robust protections for reproductive rights. It has built the legal capacity of women’s rights advocates in more than 65 countries and counting. To learn more about the Center, please go to www.reproductiverights.org

The Job: The US Federal Policy Counsel reports to the Senior Federal Policy Counsel on the US Federal Policy and Advocacy Team within the Government and External Relations (GER) Division. This is a two-year fixed term position. The individual in this position will support the Center’s administrative advocacy strategy to protect and defend reproductive rights in the areas of abortion access, maternal health, and assisted reproduction, consistent with the Center’s five-year strategic plan. The ideal candidate is a self-starter with keen attention to detail who has experience facilitating and project managing time-sensitive projects that involve multiple stakeholders. This staff person will provide high-quality legal and policy research and analyses for internal and external distribution and be a skilled relationship builder with demonstrated experience and a continual interest in administrative law and federal agency work. They will also assist in collaborative projects that involve liaising with the other GER Departments, US Programs, and the Center’s Communications and Development teams, among others.

The position will be based in the Center’s Washington D.C. office in a hybrid model of 3 days working in-office and 2 days working from home. Covid-19 vaccination is required for all US-based employees of the Center.

This is a 2-year, fixed-term position.

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Supports Federal Policy & Advocacy Team in monitoring and researching political appointments, regulatory and Congressional developments, and administrative agency actions across issue areas;
• Analyzes legislation, regulations, policies and programs that will protect and promote access to the full range of affordable reproductive healthcare for all people in the U.S., as well as analyzes restrictive policy proposals;
• Translates complex federal statutes, regulations, policies, and practices into accessible communications for diverse audiences including lawmakers, litigators, advocates and coalition partners, media, and the public;
• Drafts comments for the administrative record on proposed regulations and policies, and coordinates comment submissions with progressive allies and pro bono partners;
• Provides support across teams/departments to answer questions about federal administrative proposals, and manages and facilitates necessary follow up;
• Provides additional as-needed support on urgent or quick turnaround tasks, including rapid response efforts.

Qualifications:

• Admission to the Washington D.C. Bar required. If not currently admitted to the Washington DC Bar, candidate must be admitted to the bar of another state and agree to become admitted to the DC Bar within eighteen months. 
• At least 3 years post-JD experience required.
• Deep commitment to the Center's mission, purpose, and values.
• Knowledge of administrative law, federal agency structure and process, and enforcement mechanisms; regulatory, agency, or oversight experience desired.
• Exceptional research and writing skills.
• Outstanding legal and policy analysis skills, including the ability to analyze legislation and regulations, and develop complex, persuasive arguments.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills including ability to self-motivate, handle multiple tasks simultaneously, work under pressure and meet deadlines, and provide quick turnaround of assignments while collaborating in a team.
• Superior communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Top-notch interpersonal skills and strong ability to work collaboratively with partners, including an ability to recognize when others should lead and an ability to prioritize centering the voices of those most impacted by our work.
• Adaptable to shifting approaches as the requirements of a situation change.
• Capacity to receive and accept constructive feedback.
• Steadfast attention to detail.
• Fluency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Experience in reproductive rights, civil rights, human rights, and/or health law or policy strongly preferred.

Compensation: SALARY. The annual salary for a Policy Counsel with 3 years of experience starts at $116,000, and will be benchmarked commensurate with years of experience. This salary is reflective of a position based in Washington, DC.

Union Status: This position is anticipated to be within a bargaining unit. Center Policy Counsel are represented by UAW Local 2325 (ALAA).

FLSA Exempt Status: The Federal Policy Counsel is an exempt position.

Benefits:

• Health: The Center pays up to 90%* of the premium for a comprehensive health insurance plan with no in-network deductible and best-in-class reproductive healthcare coverage, including infertility. The Center also offers Dental and Vision coverage. (* % may differ in various countries).
• Flexibility: The Center currently operates in a hybrid model, requiring staff to work 3 days per week in the office and allowing work 2 days per week from home.
• Well-being: The Center offers resources to help prevent and recover from burnout through different programs that enable mental, physical, and community well-being. The Center provides generous leave, including paid parental leave, personal days, vacation, and sick leave. We are closed the last week of December to allow staff to spend winter holiday time with their loved ones.
• Growth: You will be working with and learning from some of the top legal and operational minds, all passionate about advancing reproductive rights worldwide. You will also be eligible for a stipend to use towards professional growth.
• Global: You will get a front-row seat to the fight for reproductive rights globally. You will have access to Employee Resource Groups to connect to colleagues with similar interests/backgrounds/views.
• Investment: After the first year of employment, the Center will contribute 7.5%* of your annual salary to a 401(k) (*applicable only in US and Kenya).

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Center is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. We strongly encourage people from all communities to apply. If you are excited about this role but unsure about whether your experience aligns with the job description, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles. To learn more about the Center’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, please visit Diversity, Equity and Inclusion | Center for Reproductive Rights.

Center policy on visa sponsorship for U.S.-based positions: Applicants for employment in the U.S. must have valid work authorization that does not now and will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S. by The Center for Reproductive Rights.

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