CDF Kids Win Fellow

Organization Overview

The Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) envisions a nation where marginalized children flourish, leaders prioritize their well-being and communities wield the power to ensure they thrive. We build community so all young people grow up with dignity, hope, and joy.

We serve and advocate for the largest, most diverse generation in America: the 74 million children and youth under the age of 18 and 30 million young adults under the age of 25, with particular attention to those living in poverty and communities of color. CDF partners with policymakers, aligned organizations and funders in this service. The Children’s Defense Fund is the only national, multi-issue advocacy organization working at the intersection of child well-being and racial justice by wielding the moral authority of programmatic proximity and community organizing to inform public policy. For more information visit www.childrensdefense.org.

Position Summary

The primary responsibility of the CDF Kids Win Fellow is helping to promote CDF’s state/local policy and advocacy agenda to improve the odds for all children in America by advancing the work to transform early care and education in Missouri through the Kids Win Missouri Campaign. In this fellowship, scheduled to conclude in December of 2025, the Fellow will support the development, implementation, and advancement of relevant legislation, as well as support the advocacy, research, and public education and outreach of the Kids Win Missouri Campaign and help support the amplification of this Campaign at the National Level. This person will also be part of the team driving CDF’s five-decade track record of achieving policy wins for families, children, and youth.

The Fellow is also responsible for working with Children’s Defense Fund Staff and Partner Organizations to help develop and advance CDF’s legislative agenda in Missouri working with state partners, legislators, and stakeholders, to educate, advocate, and advance CDF policy priorities, as well as supporting CDF and its partners and “voices of experience” to advance policy initiatives at the state level.

The ideal candidate will have a successful track record of advocacy, organizing, and mobilizing communities, specifically communities of color, and offering campaign support to advance legislative policy reforms and issue advocacy campaigns, with a demonstrated commitment to and a passion for children’s issues with a strong emphasis on marginalized children and advancing racial equity and child well-being.

Responsibilities

• Develop and promote CDF’s state policy and advocacy agenda to improve the odds for all children in the U.S. and organize and mobilize communities in the state of Missouri.
• Assist the initiative with engaging parents and conducting outreach to faith-based communities in Missouri
• Help plan, develop, and execute Child Advocacy Day and other advocacy activities
• Help develop a parent and family engagement strategy that is connected to and rooted in the goals of the initiative and support parent and provided advocacy activities
• Connect parents and families to policy makers and legislators in advancement of and in support of the campaign
• Provide thought partnership to the initiative through participation in the initiative’s Steering Committee
• Assist the Leadership Development and Organizing team in identifying and executing priorities and projects related to issue areas important to CDF’s mission at the state and local levels.
• Pitch, initiate, and complete work in policy issue areas to help develop policy recommendations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Represent CDF at state based mission-aligned organizations and coalitions, as well as at conferences, roundtables and policy events.
• Represent CDF in meetings with policy makers, committees, hearings, briefings, and other events as assigned.
• Represent CDF’s views before policymakers, the press, and the public.
• Staff, brief and prepare CDF principals, including but not limited to, the President/CEO and VP of Strategy and Programs for executive-level meetings, lobbying and legislative education.
• Remain informed on potential issues and legislation in Missouri related to CDF’s policy priorities and develop policy recommendations for both internal and external use.
• Monitor relevant statehouse activity and identify opportunities for advocacy.
• Initiate and recommend CDF’s positions on legislation and organizational letters, including seeking approval by CDF.
• Assist in the distribution of fact sheets, talking points, blogs, reports, briefs, action alerts, and other materials related to CDF’s work.
• Compile evidence of the results of policy change as a result of mobilizing communities specifically communities of color, at the state and local level.
• Work with other CDF departments, teams, and program staff to develop advocacy strategies at the intersection of policy, direct service, and community engagement.
• Offer technical policy assistance to state offices and local teams.
• Help advise, assist, and represent policy across CDF departments
• Develop workshops and trainings for various audiences, including direct service and community partners.

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited University
• Strong background in community organizing
• At least two years’ experience in social justice advocacy and organizing
• Expertise in community engagement, problem-solving, and public speaking
• Attention to detail and deadline-driven timelines, and a high standard of work product
• Relevant experience in organizing and advocacy
• A proven track record of working well as part of a team

Preferred Qualifications

• Lived experience with the effects of public policy concerns impacting CDF’s constituencies and passion for these intersectional issues.
• Familiarity and experience with public policy on one or more of CDF’s areas of interest.
  Familiarity with relevant policy institutions, including experience working in or with legislative bodies or administrative agencies, organizations, and different constituencies, specifically communities of color, in Missouri
  Exceptional writing and editing skills.

Competencies

• Strength in managing multiple, complex priorities often with competing deadlines.
• A commitment to a high standard of work-product, deadline-driven timeliness, attention to detail, and driving toward results.
• Familiar with using social media platforms to advance campaign advocacy and organizing
• Ability to contribute and support the contributions of teammates while working toward a common goal.
• Ability to develop collaborative relationships within and across allied organizations to advance policy goals.
• Ability to think critically and creatively in identifying problems, strategies, and solutions.
• Strong communication skills through writing, speaking, and active listening.

To apply, please visit:
https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=155100&clientkey=4BFFF54087AF34EC7146536A0F101EA3&emci=acdb4c30-5efe-ee11-aaf0-7c1e52017038&emdi=a567a2a9-85fe-ee11-aaf0-7c1e52017038&ceid=24798174