Manager, Federal Policy & Advocacy

JOB SUMMARY

The Manager of Federal Policy and Advocacy is a member of AFC’s Policy and Advocacy department and reports to the Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy. The Manager of Federal Policy and Advocacy serves as the organization’s lead for federal policy & advocacy on issues including but not limited to HIV treatment and prevention, Ryan White, Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act. 

This position stays abreast of and leverages knowledge and content expertise of critical healthcare delivery systems to influence health policy that affects communities, HIV providers, and payers. This position builds and strengthens relationships with members of Congress and their staff, and tracks and advocates for federal funding for key HIV programs. In coordination with other members of the AFC’s Policy & Advocacy department, this position will assist with the development and implementation of grassroots and grass tops community engagement and mobilization strategies to advance AFC’s federal policy & advocacy work in improving HIV prevention, care and housing funding and policy. The Manager of Federal Policy and Advocacy provides federal policy analysis and support for the implementation of AFC’s policy priorities on health care delivery systems, as well as provides policy support to help influence legislation, rules/regulations, care and treatment issues. These priorities include communication and education with key AFC stakeholders regarding the changing landscape of numerous healthcare delivery systems, including but not limited to HIV treatment and prevention, Ryan White, Medicaid, and the ACA.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Development and Monitoring of Policy and Legislation

• Collaborate with the Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy, AFC senior leadership and others in the development and execution of policy priorities at the federal level related to topics including but not limited to HIV treatment and prevention, Medicaid, Medicare, and the ACA;
• Work, in partnership with, the Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy, Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, and other AFC senior leaders, and others in the development of short- and long-range policy and research plans and projects related to topics including but not limited to HIV treatment and prevention, Medicaid, Medicare, and the ACA;
• Serve as the organization’s policy expert to elected and appointed federal government officials and their staff including but not limited to members of Congress, Office of the President, federal Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
• In partnership with the Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy and the Senior Vice President of Policy & Advocacy, lead and contribute to the analysis process of proposed federal and local administrative actions and legislation related to topics including but not limited to HIV, Medicaid and the ACA; determine and outline the potential impact on the organization's priority areas;
• Broaden awareness of HIV treatment and prevention, Ryan White, Medicaid, Medicare, and the ACA to the entities and communities AFC serves; 
• Lead the work of AFC’s federal HIV policy coalition efforts; 
• Contribute and provide leadership in meetings between AFC staff/senior leaders and members of federal administrative agencies related to HIV;
• Support the implementation of Getting to Zero Illinois (GTZ-IL) policy priorities related to HIV, Medicaid, the ACA marketplace plans, and other health care delivery systems.

Community Outreach, Engagement and Mobilization

• Communicate key policy issues to AFC key stakeholders and staff;
• Cultivate strong working relationships with partner organizations and represent the organization in national and local policy & advocacy focused tables (e.g. coalitions, working groups, committees, etc.);
• Keep AFC and its key stakeholders informed of the continuous and rapid changes in the healthcare sector and federal regulatory activities which may have an impact on HIV, Medicaid and the ACA marketplace plans; Collaborate with relevant members of the Policy & Advocacy team to convene and facilitate community engagement meetings;
• Under the direction of the Senior Director of Policy & Advocacy, lead project interactions with various federal government agencies and elected and appointed officials at the federal level and develop and implement community input processes that are transparent and actionable.

• Assist with the development and implementation of grassroots and grass tops community engagement and mobilization strategies to advance AFC’s federal policy & advocacy work in improving HIV prevention, care and HIV housing funding and policy.
• As appropriate and needed, support the AFC Policy & Advocacy Department’s HIV and healthcare-related storytelling trainings, story collection, and storytelling. 
• Prioritize relationship building and deepening with people living with or vulnerable to HIV and other chronic conditions, including to inform AFC’s federal policy priorities and advocacy strategies. 

Communication and Education

• Under the direction of the Senior Director of Policy & Advocacy, create and develop publications and other community-facing mechanisms, such as webinars and community meetings, to educate stakeholders about topics including but not limited to Medicaid, Ryan White, HIV Treatment and Prevention and the ACA;
• Create written analyses of proposed health policy proposals and reports and evaluate their impact on the HIV sector and AFC;
• Lead and support the preparation of position statements and comments sent to federal legislative and regulatory bodies and other interested parties concerning legislation, regulations, policies, published reports and statutes governing topics including but not limited to HIV treatment and prevention, Ryan White, Medicaid, and the ACA;;
• Create content on AFC issue areas and on Medicaid, the ACA, Ryan White, and HIV Treatment and Prevention including but not limited to emails, fact sheets, issue briefs, action alerts and legislation.
• Under the direction of the Senior Director of Policy & Advocacy, partner with the AFC Communications team to craft and disseminate communications related to HIV and healthcare federal policy & advocacy priorities for AFC.
• Serve as media representative for all federal legislative and policy initiatives.

Project Team Leadership/Supervision

• Under the direction of the Senior Director of Policy & Advocacy and Senior Vice President of Policy & Advocacy, identify current and emerging issue areas that align with the organization’s strategic plan.
• Determine project feasibility and develop project scopes and proposals based on identified issues or areas of opportunity for internal consideration.
• Assist in the development and achievement of team goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and related strategic plan items.
• Participate in and/or lead working groups, councils, and committees.

Other

• Lead AFC and the Illinois advocate delegation’s participation in annual AIDSWatch in Washington, DC;
• Assist the Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy and the Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy on other policy-related matters as needed;
• Assist with agency-wide activities as directed, including Annual Meeting, AIDS Run & Walk, and others;
• Maintain and update job knowledge by participating in training and educational opportunities, reading professional publications, and participating in professional organizations;
• Protect organization's value and manage risk by keeping information confidential;
• Assist with other AFC department activities as directed;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in this class. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assignment of duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES 

N/A

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS (EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION)

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Social Work, Public Health or related field, and minimum three (3) years’ experience in project coordination or project management

OR

Five years of applicable working experience 

Preferred Qualifications

• In addition to listed minimum qualifications above, event planning, volunteer coordination and program management experience preferred

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS 

Valid Driver’s License, and the physical ability to operate a car.

TRAVEL EXPECTATION

Ability to travel nationally, statewide, and locally up to 50% of the year. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

The physical demands are representative of those found in a general office environment. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

The work environment is representative of that found in a general office environment. Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (20-25 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation and on the telephone.