Associate (Advocacy)

Justice Policy Institute (Washington, DC) 

The Justice Policy Institute (JPI) seeks a full-time Associate, with a passion for social justice, to join our Washington, D.C. based team. 

Organization description: The Justice Policy Institute is a national nonprofit dedicated to reducing the use of incarceration and the justice system by promoting fair and effective policies. JPI does this through groundbreaking research and analysis, strategic communications, organizing, and technical assistance to advocates and policymakers.

Position summary: The Associate will work as part of JPI’s team on advocacy efforts both in Washington, DC and “outside of the Beltway”, which will include providing support to other on-the-ground advocates and policy makers to ensure the successful implementation of reform efforts. The associate will work with JPI’s place-based team to encourage implementation of policies to reduce the use of incarceration. The Associate will also work with the research & policy team to position JPI’s research to inform policy and make sure our work is driven by lived experience. This particularly includes working to support and in partnership with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people and their families. 

JPI offers potential for professional advancement.

Key responsibilities: 

Working under the direction of the Director of Advocacy the Associate will:

• Create and maintain relationships with local advocates, impacted communities and policymakers. 
• Prepare presentations and testimonies for state legislatures, city councils, government agencies, conferences, and community events.
• Coordinate and execute interviews with stakeholders, including but not limited to, direct-service providers, formerly and currently incarcerated individuals and their families, to provide meaningful perspective to JPI’s work. 
• Create and maintain databases to assist in the coordination of place-based advocacy work. 
• Support placed-based legislative efforts by tracking legislation and keeping advocates and the impacted population abreast to legislative activities.
• Coordinate and facilitate events with impacted communities, including those currently and formerly incarcerated and their families 
• Follow up on research and information request from advocates, partners and impacted community members.
• Support production of a bimonthly newsletter, including content development, curating stories from impacted audiences and helping to increase reach to impacted families 

The Associate will assist with other tasks as needed.

Hours: Full-time 

Qualifications: 

• • Relevant experience aligned with JPI’s work and mission. 
  • Strong preference for crime survivors, those with lived experience in the criminal justice system, or experience as an advocate/organizer working in communities disproportionately impacted by the system.
  • Excellent written and oral communications skills, with public speaking experience speaking to a variety of audiences. 
  • Proven interpersonal skills with diverse groups including advocates, media, non-profit professionals, criminal justice systems players, the impacted population, and grassroots organizations.

• Familiarity with database management tools preferred.

• Familiarity with social media tools in order to stay up to date and communicate with a broader audience.
• Detail-oriented, highly organized, flexible self-starter who demonstrates a willingness to learn and take on new tasks, either collaboratively or alone.

Compensation: Competitive salary commensurate with skills and experience and comparable to similar positions in the nonprofit community. 

To apply: Please email a personal statement and resume with the subject line “Advocacy Associate” to info@justicepolicy.org. The position is open until filled, and only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. 

JPI is currently operating in a 100 percent remote working posture but plans to transition to a permanent hybrid work model in Fall 2021. This will include a combination of remote work and in-person meetings. JPI will continue to have an office with workstations and meeting rooms for staff to utilize. The Associate position is expected to attend meetings in Washington, D.C. and throughout Maryland.

JPI is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system involvement.