Director of Policy and Advocacy

The Director of Policy and Advocacy will work closely with the CEO and stakeholders to maximize NABS’s presence and impact in moving our Boarding School Healing advocacy agenda forward with local, Tribal, state, national and international government levels. Leadership responsibilities will include providing advocacy, technical advice, legislative analysis, coalition-building, stakeholder engagement and policy research to NABS. In this role, the Director of Policy and Advocacy will contribute to strategies that advance NABS’s long term goals, including: articulating the mission of the coalition to public officials and decision makers; raising the visibility of the coalition in national advocacy arenas; assisting in educating key audiences such as NABS’s coalition members, Tribal leaders, faith-based organizations, and other vital stakeholders about the history and legacy of Indian boarding schools; and highlighting the coalition as a primary source of information related to the history and impact of Indian boarding schools and measures needed to bring about healing. The Director of Policy and Advocacy reports to the CEO and provides strategic policy advocacy guidance to the entire organization will have 1 direct report.

What You Bring

Must Haves ● Extensive experience in a leadership role in representing an organization on issues of importance to Native American communities. ● Extensive knowledge of legislative and administrative processes. ● Excellent advocacy, consensus-building, coalition-building, and leadership skills; demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with other staff and other organizations; ● Relationships with key external power holders and a demonstrated ability to build relationships and work with groups and individuals across the political spectrum. ● Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral; experience as a public spokesperson and advocate; ability to analyze and articulate legal concepts and other complex issues and to communicate them to a variety of audiences; a “quick study” on a dynamic array of issues. ● A broad understanding of federal policies that pertain to Native American communities. ● A bachelor’s degree in law, policy, political science, or related field or equivalent experience. Nice to Haves ● The ability to produce consistent, quality work in a fast-paced environment. ● Expertise and experience in working with Tribal Nations. ● Understanding of and commitment to social change through building the capacity and power of Native American, Tribal, faith-based communities and other supporters to participate directly in educating others. ● Demonstrated commitment to community organizing and ability to work constructively with grassroots partners. To thrive in this role, candidates will bring innovation and new ideas. We are looking for candidates who are clear communicators, adaptable, reliable, socially, and emotionally intelligent, inquisitive learners and who are collaboratively oriented, while being able to work independently.

What you will do: ● Advancing NABS’s federal policy priorities to key allies and decision makers. ● Contributing to the development and execution of a strategy to advance our public policy education and advocacy agenda at all governmental levels. ● Leading NABS’s work to position the coalition, our partners, and our agenda strategically and powerfully with policymakers and influencers. ● Collaborating with NABS’s CEO, staff and key stakeholders in cultivating and building powerful relationships with policymakers and influencers, in service of our agenda and our partners. ● Cultivating NABS’s relationships with the Tribal governments, federal administration, Congress, and regulatory agencies, including: o Participating in coalition building strategies at the national level and maintaining key relationships with Tribal Nations and other stakeholder organizations. o Providing reliable, timely analysis and strategic leadership on NABS’s policy education and advocacy activities at the local, national, and international levels. o Developing and disseminating materials regarding education, advocacy and legislative developments to national partners, and policy makers. o Ensuring the involvement of coalition members, Tribal leaders, and stakeholder organizations in promoting agreed upon priorities. o Helping to facilitate educational opportunities for stakeholders to be in contact with their member of Congress, the Administration and other policy makers. ● Conducting and/or commissioning research as necessary. ● Taking other steps necessary to develop and advance NABS’s advocacy priorities.

$95,000 to $115,000 annually