Job Title: Policy & Advocacy Associate

Reports to: Director of Policy & Advocacy

Basis: Full-time, regular, exempt

Salary: Dependent on experience (range of $55,000 - $65,000)

Date call released: May 1,2023

Deadline for applications: May 19, 2023

Start date: ASAP

Location: Washington, D.C. or New York, NY

About the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice

The Responsible Business Initiative for Justice(RBIJ) is an innovative and growing criminal justice reform organization.

RBIJ supports organizers, advocates, and campaigners in the criminal justice reform space by bringing the voices of businesses, financial sector actors, and trade representatives to the table. Our work is designed to champion fairness, equality, and effectiveness in systems of punishment; to end mass incarceration and the collateral consequences of a criminal record; and to stop extreme sentencing. We do this by combining a network of issue experts and community-based organizations with the social capital, influence, and internal capacity of businesses and their leaders. Our work falls into three broad categories:

System change: We help businesses use their voice, platforms, and leverage to move critical criminal justice reform initiatives.

Narrative change: We build and entrench the narrative that fair and equal systems of justice are good for business. We do this through media engagement and broad communications campaigns by both business leaders and relevant advocates.

Implementation, restoration, and repair: We work with businesses to ensure systemic change is translated into real-life impact for justice-involved individuals. We believe that businesses are essential stakeholders in the implementation phase of criminal justice reform and that companies’ internal policies and practices must match their advocacy. We work with companies to address their supply chains, investments, and recruitment practices so they can be effective partners in rebuilding and restoring communities that inequitable systems of justice have disproportionately impacted. At the current time, this work consists of our Unlock Potentialprogram and our second chance hiring program.

About the Role

RBIJ is looking for a dynamic and entrepreneurial candidate who is excited by the prospect of taking on a role in a growing organization and who is enthusiastic about shaping the direction of the organization moving forward.

The Policy & Advocacy Associate reports to the Policy and Advocacy Director and will work within RBIJ’s Policy & Advocacy team to support the day-to-day operations of RBIJ’s various campaigns in collaboration with national, federal, and especially state partners; assist in developing appropriate engagement strategies that provide opportunities for people who have experienced the justice system; and support related efforts to reduce mass incarceration and end extreme punishment. This work will include research, writing, business mapping, and relationship building for criminal justice reform initiatives across the United States. In close collaboration with the team, our new Policy & Advocacy Associate will be expected to provide support across our campaigns and will be responsible for assisting RBIJ’s larger strategy in those states.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director of Policy & Advocacy, the Policy & Advocacy Associate will provide a critical role in delivering campaign objectives and helping to showcase RBIJ’s work through strategic and targeted output.

This will involve:

• Support the day-to-day operations of identified justice reform campaigns at the state and national levels, including working closely with RBIJ’s Policy & Advocacy Director, Policy & Advocacy Manager, and other RBIJ team members to track progress across a variety of deliverables.
• Assist on engaging business partners in identified states, and help develop, maintain, and cultivate deep and effective relationships with both local campaign organizations and business leaders across all levels.
• Alongside the Policy & Advocacy team, support in the development of legislative and outreach strategies for advancing change across a broad portfolio of criminal justice issues.
• Support in the planning and execution of ongoing campaigns through extensive mapping of a state’s business and trade environment. Conduct research and prepare internal memos about the general political, economic, and criminal justice reform landscape in identified states.
• Monitor legislation and the latest news around criminal justice reform in identified priority states and/or issues across the country.
• Help produce educational materials for business audiences such as one-pagers, newsletters, and multimedia content related to criminal justice reform issues.
• Alongside the Communications teamassist in devising communications and media strategies that include press releases, op-eds, talking points, and the strategic use of social media to advance policy priorities.
• Co-manage relationships with a trans-partisan coalition of external partner organizations, including conducting ongoing communications and coordinating strategic planning efforts.
• Aid in organizing convenings at the state and national levels to raise awareness about the inequalities within the U.S. criminal justice system and solutions for expanding opportunity for individuals involved in the criminal justice system.
• Domestic travel might be required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

The following qualifications are required for this role:

• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to assimilate and synthesize information, issue spot, and propose key messaging.
• Preference for two or more years of professional experience in lobbying, strategy-building, advocacy, organizing, legal representation, or policy reform in the criminal justice reform space.
• Exceptional project management skills with very strong attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple quick-turnaround deliverables as well as long‐term strategy implementation, reporting, and metrics tracking.
• Experience or interest participating in, managing, or otherwise taking a leadership role in advocacy campaigns.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work well in a team.
• Ability to build and manage relationships with a diverse and bipartisan coalition of organizations.
• Excellent writing and editing skills.
• Entrepreneurial spirit and the ability to think creatively and be a self-starter.
• Ability to absorb key policy issues and debates quickly and thoroughly.
• Commitment to RBIJ’s mission and goals (available on our website here) is essential.

The following qualifications are desirable:

• Experience working with people involved in or affected by the criminal justice system is preferred.
• Expertise on the effects of the criminal justice system, including lived experiences, is advantageous but not essential.

We encourage candidates who meet the majority of qualifications to apply. We especially encourage formerly incarcerated or justice-involved individuals and those with family members impacted by the justice system to apply.

Vaccine Requirement:

RBIJ, as a fiscally sponsored project of NEO Philanthropy, follows CDC guidance regarding staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters. Accordingly, and in order to ensure the wellness and safety of our staff to the greatest extent possible, NEO requires the COVID-19 vaccination and boosters for all staff. Requests for medical and/or religious exemptions from the vaccination requirement will be considered on an individual basis.

How to apply

To apply please submit a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) detailing your interest in RBIJ, its work, and the position with a copy of your resume (combined into one pdf) to: applications@responsiblebusinessinitiative.orgno later than May 19, 2023.

Candidates who perform well in preliminary interviews may be asked to submit a writing sample and/or respond to a prompt to assess their critical thinking and communications abilities.

Compensation, benefits, and location

Compensation for this role will be commensurate with experience, but is expected to be in the range of $55,000 to $65,000. This is a 12 month grant funded position with the possibility to extend.

We are seeking candidates in Washington, DC or New York, NY to work in a hybrid setting (combination of working from home and with colleagues in a shared office). Applicants must have the right to work in their intended working location.

RBIJ is a fiscally sponsored project of NEO Philanthropy. This position is offered a full benefits package, including 100% medical coverage for the employee and 90% medical coverage for dependents; 100% coverage for vision, dental, life/AD&D, long-term disability. NEO also offers a 401K retirement savings plan, Healthcare Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA), Medical FSA, Dependent Care FSA, commuter benefits, Employee Assistance Program, other supplemental benefits and paid time off.

RBIJ and NEO Philanthropy are equal opportunity employers and candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We especially encourage formerly incarcerated individuals and those with family members impacted by the justice system to apply.

We respect and value a positive work-life balance and we strive to offer employees the opportunity for growth and self-fulfillment while working with us.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $55,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: Hybrid remote in New York, NY 10018

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