Not Profit Lobbyist

Job Description

The Director of Policy and Systems Advocacy is ICADV's registered lobbyist, advocating for policy that strengthens Illinois' statewide network of services providers support survivors of domestic violence, their children and individuals who cause harm. As a member of the Management team and a direct report of the CEO, this position is responsible for implementation of ICADV’s advocacy efforts at the local, state and national levels.

The position coordinates statewide public policy and legislative advocacy initiatives and responding to emerging issues. Includes researching, analyzing assessing current and pending legislation, and collaborating such initiatives with the Policy Committee of the ICADV membership.

• A Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school and current license to practice law in Illinois is preferred but not required for this position.
• Minimum of 5 years of related policy advocacy experience in the domestic violence or other related social justice field.
• Exceptional interpersonal and networking skills at the highest level to effectively carry out collaborative efforts necessary for the success of the position.
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative relations with a diversity of individuals, organizations and government agency that supports effective negotiation and networking necessary for advocacy with internal and external stakeholders.
• Must possess a thorough understanding of general legislative and policy development practices and possess the ability to maneuver successfully within those systems to advance the policy initiatives of ICADV.

• Support ICADV members’ systems advocacy efforts at the local level by developing materials, distributing informational publications, delivering training, and responding to requests for on- and off-site technical assistance.
• Utilizing the Public Policy Platform, develop and implement ICADV’s legislative agenda in conjunction with the Advocacy, Funding and Accountability Committee and CEO.
• Initiate legislative action as directed by the Advocacy, Funding and Accountability Committee and the CEO.
• Coordinate statewide public policy and legislative advocacy initiatives and activities through ICADV’s membership by implementing ICADVs Public Policy Platform on current issues and trends.
• Respond to emerging public policy issues that impact ICADV’s mission by researching, analyzing, and assessing laws, policies and system responses to survivors and their children.
• Staff Advocacy, Funding and Accountability Committee.
• Develop and distribute technical assistance and training materials.
• Develop materials for use internally, by members and by external parties to better understand the framework used to structure and priorities advocacy efforts
• Participate in committees, commissions and task force work as needed and assigned.
• Represent ICADV on policy committees and conduct advocacy on behalf of ICADV with national and state policy leaders.
• Promote government funding to support direct services of member programs.
• Organize and present testimony to legislative committees as required.
• Organize and present information to governmental agencies or other stakeholders as required.
• Research case law affecting domestic violence survivors in Illinois.
• Oversee the coordination and implementation of the Virtual Legal Clinic project, including recruitment and orientation of pro bono attorneys, orientation and training of member programs, oversight of software development, and other tasks as necessary for successful implementation of the project.
• Manage online legislative tracking platform for member and staff use