Sr. Policy Analyst

The Sr. Policy Analyst will drive statewide, systems-level change with a focus on Early Childhood Care & Education and Maternal Health policy.

Voices for Virginia’s Children champions public policies and legislation that achieve positive and equitable outcomes for young people. We envision a Virginia in which our systems center young people, ensuring their ability to realize their brightest potential is no longer predictable by race, socioeconomic status, or geography.

About the Position:

Voices is hiring a Sr. Policy Analyst. The Sr. Policy Analyst will drive statewide, systems-level change with a focus on Early Childhood Care & Education and Maternal Health policy. This role will focus on the policies and systems that support families during pregnancy, the postpartum period, and a child’s earliest years, recognizing the deep connections among parents’ health and well-being, access to high-quality and affordable child care, and healthy child development.

The Sr. Policy Analyst will analyze policy and data, develop and advance legislative and administrative solutions, build relationships with policymakers and partners, and help translate complex policy issues into actionable strategies for change.

We are looking for someone who brings policy expertise in early childhood care and education, maternal health, or closely related family policy issues, with the ability and interest to deepen their expertise across both areas. The issues covered by this position will include reducing maternal mortality rates, reducing racial disparities in perinatal health outcomes, improving maternal and infant mental health care, expanding access to affordable, high-quality child care, and fairly compensating early educators.

Job Duties:

• Policy Advocacy and Leadership:
  You will lead Voices’ policy work in early childhood care and education and maternal health, working collaboratively with policy and engagement staff to create and advance a multidisciplinary policy agenda for infants, young children, and families.
• You will monitor legislative and administrative developments, analyze policy and research, identify opportunities for systems change with community and partner organizations, and develop evidence-based policy recommendations. You will provide policy analysis support to internal and external partners and will have primary responsibility for advancing these issue areas during Virginia’s General Assembly session
• Community Relationship Building:
  You will lead and participate in various coalitions within your focus area and will serve as the main Voices liaison for partner organizations. You will provide support and technical assistance to partner coalitions and state work groups to help mobilize change and create collective community impact.
• You will work in partnership with the Director of Engagement and Virginia’s Youth in Action (VAYA) members to ensure that youth voice and lived expertise are centered in your policy recommendations.
• Strategic Communications:
  You will work with the Communications Manager on developing and executing communications that further advocacy objectives. These may include policy briefs, one-pagers, blogs, etc. You will also conduct and participate in trainings and presentations on education and advocacy related to your issue areas.
• Racial Equity:
  You will promote racial equity across all dimensions of your work, ensuring that policies put forward are assessed for their impact on all races.

Required Qualifications:

• Strong verbal and written communication:
  Ability to effectively communicate complex ideas. Confident and persuasive in public speaking.
• Expe…