Vice President of Advocacy & Programs

Company: Union of Concerned Scientists
Location: Cambridge
Posted on: June 25, 2022

Job Description:

TERM: Permanent Executive Department Union of Concerned ScientistsLocation: Remote/Hybrid - located in close proximity to the Cambridge MA; Washington DC; Bay Area, CA; or Chicago, IL OfficeThe PositionThe Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent national nonprofit that uses science to protect our health, safety, and environment. We are scientists, engineers, economists, activists, and everyday people who develop and advocate for innovative, practical solutions to some of our planet's most pressing problems-from combating global warming and developing sustainable ways to feed, power, and transport ourselves, to fighting misinformation, advancing racial equity, and reducing the threat of nuclear war.The VP of Advocacy & Programs manages the program directors and works closely with the Executive Team members, particularly the VP of Science & Innovation to ensure UCS positions and solutions are informed by robust, independent, and equity-informed scientific analysis. They drive coherence and evolution in cross-programmatic policy positions, in response to the science, political environment, and partner insights. In collaboration with Program Directors and staff, they also push UCS to develop effective advocacy strategies, tactics, and deployment of staff. They act as a thought partner with Program Directors on campaign strategy, ground campaigns in equity, and build stronger cross-program connectivity. The VP of A&P also serves as a compelling voice for UCS science-based advocacy to key external audiences. The VP of A&P brings experience in one or more of our core issues areas and combines deep US experience at the state and federal levels with a global perspective and networks.As a member of UCS's executive leadership team, the VP of Advocacy & Programs is an 'institutional citizen' who contributes to setting and shaping organization-wide policies and practices. In this role, the VP will share and source good practice with and from other UCS programs and departments, and proactively seek opportunities to scale and deepen impact through efforts that join forces with other UCS programs, departments, and external partners.Responsibilities:The essential job duties/responsibilities of the position are included in but not limited to the information listed below.POLICY COHERENCE:

• Identifying areas of opportunity or concern with input from Advocacy staff and program leadership
• Drives greater coordination and consistency of policy stances across our programs, particularly on issues that have been sticking points for UCS, and ensures UCS's policy stances as an organization are coherent across programs and informed by equity considerations
• Creates spaces, processes, and guardrails (e.g., a Staff Council on Policy) for resolving issues and sharing best practices across programs; makes informed decisions when required to resolve roadblocks
• Encourages reprioritization and resource reallocation where appropriateADVOCACY & CAMPAIGN EFFECTIVENESS
  • Identifies ways in which UCS's science and advocacy resources can be most effectively combined to achieve impact
  • Creates spaces, processes, and guardrails for resolving issues and sharing best practices across programs (e.g., a Staff Council on Advocacy Effectiveness); makes informed decisions when required to resolve roadblocks
  • Encourages reprioritization and resource reallocation where appropriate
  • Creates frameworks to support advocacy and campaign effectiveness, including in partnership coordinationPROGRAM OVERSIGHT & SUPPORT
    • Responsible for program oversight and coordination, with supervisory responsibility for Program Directors
    • Works collaboratively with program leaders to help advance program goals
    • Acts as a thought partner to program leadership to build stronger cross-program connectivity, ground campaigns in equity, influence greater prioritization and focus in the advocacy activities UCS pursues and support resource deployment that is aligned with those priorities.
    • With other members of the Executive Team including the VP of Science & Innovation, reviews strategic and annual plans to ensure alignment with organizational strategic goals and prioritiesSENIOR UCS REPRESENTATIVE:
      • Helps represent UCS policy & advocacy in a wide range of settings in coordination with our deep bench of scientific, policy, and advocacy experts
      • May represent UCS in cross-programmatic fundraising efforts
      • Supports and coordinates with colleagues in doing the sameTEAM:
        • Develops and leads an A&P team that brings the capacity to meet these responsibilities.
        • Defines and develops that team to best support UCS Advocacy & Program's needs.AS A UCS LEADER:
          • Develop and foster on an ongoing basis, an inclusive, productive, and strong culture that is anti-racist, provides opportunities for a diverse staff to grow, thrive, and succeed in their work and careers
          • Understand, coordinate and collaborate on organizational anti-racist goals
          • Hire, mentor, and recognize the full value and opportunities of a diverse staff
          • Be responsible for steering, modeling, and ensuring advocacy and program functioning and communications uphold those commitments.LIKE ALL UCS EMPLOYEES, this individual is expected to maintain awareness that they represent UCS in any setting they appear in, with responsibility for upholding UCS values and ensuring that their activities and statements enhance the organization's reputation and credentials among the press, public, and private sectors, promote UCS, advance organizational objectives, and enhance funding opportunities.UCS is committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We believe the inclusion of diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental outcomes for all, including historically disenfranchised communities. All staff participates in this commitment whether internally, in building a welcoming workplace culture and /or externally, in ensuring inclusive engagement with supporters, media, vendors, allies, and others.RequirementsQualifications and ExperiencePosition requires 15+ years management experience in an advocacy-oriented leadership role in a non-profit, NGO or government agency.Position requires excellent leadership skills, project management and campaign experience, and outstanding written and verbal communication ability:
            • Education: Master's degree required; PhD degree in a physical or social science discipline preferred, or equivalent experience as a practicing scientist.
            • Understanding of advocacy work: an understanding of - and ideally experience in building and supporting - advocacy campaigns, combining technical analysis, policy advocacy, communications and outreach to generate public support and pressure for action.
            • Combines deep experience in effective issue campaigning and an appreciation of the importance of all aspects of advocacy (from outreach and engagement to organizing to lobbying), with an understanding of how scientific analysis that engages people and communities can enhance our ability to shape policy. Understands and has experience in building and supporting advocacy campaigns, particularly those that combine technical analysis, policy advocacy, communications and outreach to generate public support and pressure for action.
            • Strong orientation to making difficult decisions with appropriate consultation and communication -- an excellent facilitator and synthesizerwho works inclusively with colleagues and has a strong orientation towards empowering and supporting colleagues
            • Demonstrated ability to successfully establish and/or oversee organizational processes, systems, and cultural norms, particularly thoserelated to policy coherence, advocacy effectiveness, and cross-programmatic coordination
            • A compelling communicator of nuanced technical and policy issues, who brings an appreciation for the role that framing and messaging play in communicating about science.
            • Ability to supervise and manage a cross-functional team
            • A deep commitment to racial equity that is incorporated into how you work individually and with others At UCS, comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.Supervisory ResponsibilitiesOversees Program Directors (currently 6: Climate & Energy, Clean Transportation, Center for Science & Democracy, Food & Environment, Global Security, Western States).Develops and oversees an Advocacy & Programs team who provide strategic, operational, logistical and administrative support to this role.Budget Authority Oversees A&P budget, with authority to negotiate contracts with vendors / providers / consultants in support of A&P initiatives and priorities.Note: Program Directors retain authority over individual program budgets.Physical RequirementsLittle or no exertion; spends extended periods at a computer. May occasionally lift and carry boxes of supplies or publications.Hours Regular office hours, with frequent nights and weekend hours in connection with urgent events or critical deadlines.Travel Occasional travel to represent UCS to external audiences (e.g., with the scientific community or policy makers).Occasional travel to coordinate with colleagues and supervises staff.Occasional travel to attend in-person Executive Team, Leadership Team, program, and/or staff retreats (estimated 5-10 overnights per year) and in-person Board meetings (estimated 2 days for 2 of 3 Board meetings each year).UCS is an equal opportunity employer actively seeking to diversify its staff. In particular, we're dedicated to broadening opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy. We're also committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We believe the inclusion of culturally diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental outcomes for all, including historically disenfranchised communities.BenefitsDetails:This is a full-time remote/hybrid position based in either our Cambridge MA; Washington DC; Bay Area, CA; or Chicago, IL or in close proximity to one of these offices. For those who meet all position requirements, compensation is commensurate with experience. The salary range for this position is $196,201 - $220,730. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment.Information about the organization is available at http://www.ucsusa.org.Comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.More about the team:Our team is made up of a dedicated group of researchers, scientists, communicators, campaigners, and advocates from wide-ranging backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and a collaborative and supportive work environment where all staff can thrive. We continually strive to create an environment which is a welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, parents, empty-nesters, and people with a wide variety of interests and backgrounds.To Apply: We know there are great candidates who won't check all of these boxes, and we also know you might bring important skills that we haven't considered. If that's you, don't hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. Please upload a cover letter and resume. In the cover letter, please confirm your salary expectations. Upload materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls, please.Covid Mandate for New Hires:For in office roles, UCS employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Employees are considered fully vaccinated as defined by the CDC. All new hires who will be reporting to an office location must provide notice of their vaccination status and vaccination documentation, on or before their first day of work. For all others, UCS strongly encourages full vaccinations among its employees, up to and including booster shots, even if working remotely.All new employees must comply with the mandatory vaccination requirements outlined in UCS policies as soon as practicable. Union of Concerned Scientists will notify candidates for employment of the requirements of this policy before the start of employment.Deadline: Until Filled.

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