Assistant Director of Anti-Asian Hate Program (Legislative and Government Relations)

JOB DESCRIPTION

Assistant Director of Anti-Asian Hate Program (Legislative and Government Relations)

*** COVID vaccination required. Exemption requests considered on a case-by-case basis. ***

Organizational Profile: Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC ("AAJC") is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991. Our mission is to advance the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and to build and promote a fair and equitable society for all. For 30 years, we have served as the leading Asian American voice on civil rights issues in our nation’s capital – fighting for the rights of our communities through policy advocacy, litigation, research, public education, and community engagement.

Based in Washington, DC, Advancing Justice | AAJC is a member of the Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice) affiliation. With our affiliates in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, we work together as equal and independent partners, operate under one name, and strive to speak with one unified and powerful voice to promote justice, empower our communities, bring local and national constituents together, and strengthen our multiracial democracy.   

Title: Assistant Director of Anti-Hate Program 

Reports to: Vice President (VP) of Strategic Initiatives

Supervises: Two (2) full-time staff members

Term: Immediately

Status: Full-time, Exempt Employee, 40 hours/week 

Salary:  $90,000-$100,000

This is a unionized organization, and this position is not in the collective bargaining unit.

Position Summary: The Anti-Hate Program Assistant Director will be primarily responsible for developing and executing the advocacy strategy for Advancing Justice | AAJC’s Anti-Hate Program, in collaboration with the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives. In addition, the Assistant Director will support the overall Anti-Hate Program and assist in developing and implementing Advancing Justice | AAJC’s community outreach and education in racial justice, including anti-Asian hate.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Organizational Leadership and Strategic Planning

• Act as thought partner to the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives on policy priorities, community education, and relationship building to support and implement our programmatic agenda for the Anti-Hate Program and broader racial justice needs.
• Work closely with program leads and all other staff to collaborate in setting budgets, program goals and strategies, advancing new ideas and innovation that align with our organizational mission and strategic plan.
• Work closely with the executive team to share responsibility to spearhead cross- organizational initiatives amongst our internal divisions.
• Serve as a senior-level mentor and a bridge-builder for AAJC, ensuring collaboration between departments and strengthening partnerships with affiliates and key external partners. 

Plan and Strategize Activities Related to Anti-Asian Hate

• In collaboration with the VP of Strategic Initiatives, coordinate with affiliates, coalition partners, and local partners on anti-hate efforts focused on addressing anti-Asian violence, harassment, and discrimination. This work includes:

• Legislative and Administrative Advocacy: Lead advocacy on federal legislation to address and prevent anti-Asian hate and discrimination, and lead engage with federal government agencies tasked with addressing anti-Asian hate and discrimination. AAJC’s anti-hate advocacy, which includes engagement on appropriations, is not limited to addressing anti-Asian hate but also includes broader racial solidarity and racial justice work. While AAJC’s advocacy is focused on the federal level, this work could also encompass state- and local-level advocacy.
• Data Collection and Analysis: Map and analyze reports submitted to the Stand Against Hatred website.
• Response and Resources: Shape and support AAJC’s work to strengthen community response capacity, including crisis response and the resource and referral network for organizations and individuals who have experienced anti-Asian hate and harassment. 
• Intervention Training: Support AAJC’s work with Right To Be on bystander intervention, conflict de-escalation, and trainings for the Asian American community on how to respond to anti-Asian and xenophobic harassment, including continually seeking opportunities to expand the reach of AAJC’s training.
• Communications: Support narrative-change efforts by assisting communications staff with story collection, drafting materials for community education and media engagement, and supporting AAJC’s engagement with coalition partners and policymakers on anti-hate efforts.

• In collaboration with the VP, Strategic Initiatives and Director, Community Engagement, support community education on anti-Asian hate and racial justice, strengthen relationships with Community Partners in addressing hate and discrimination, and engage in broader racial justice coalitions.
• Support implementation and management of Community Partner subgrants to expand and localize anti-hate work. 
• Contribute to the development and implementation of strategic communications plans with the Anti-Hate Communications Coordinator and VP, Strategic Initiatives, including providing content support, responding to press inquiries, and making public speaking appearances as necessary and appropriate.
• In collaboration with AAJC staff, coordinate the translation, production, and dissemination of community education materials.
• Other duties as assigned.

Fundraising

• Assist with fundraising, grants management, and relationship management with funders and supporters.
• Work with the VP of Strategic Initiatives, Director of Community Engagement, and finance and development teams to help craft project budgets and grant proposals related to these programs.
• Provide content/information for donor communications and materials (donor newsletters, action alerts, special reports from the executive director, social media postings, etc.).
• Attend meetings with prospects/donors as requested. 

General AAJC Roles

• Live and exhibit the Values of AAJC, by contributing to an environment that promotes trust, teamwork, and transparency among staff, board, National Advisory Council, affiliates, and community partners.
• Contribute to, establish, and follow policies and procedures, including maintenance of confidentiality, to ensure that the principles of AAJC are implemented.
• Participate in and lead decision-making processes, understand outcomes, and be accountable for decisions made in or affecting their area.
• Understand the values and principles of AAJC and apply them fully in work responsibilities.
• Participate in other activities and serve on ad hoc committees as requested.
• Attend and contribute to AAJC and Board of Directors’ meetings as requested.
• Be available to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends.

EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• At least eight years of relevant work, management, and supervisory experience in policy advocacy or related field. 
• Experience in and knowledge of anti-hate policy, particularly its impact on Asian American communities, preferred.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Ability to operationalize vision, think strategically, creatively problem solve, exercise good judgment, and lead change. 
• Successful track record of forging alliances, working in coalitions, and moving people to take collective action and engage in advocacy.
• Facilitative and collaborative leadership style, with strong people skills. 
• Experience working with diverse groups from various sectors.
• Fundraising experience, including building and developing donor relationships.
• Excellent communicator and writer, who can articulate messages to different audiences, including translating law and policy into plain language.
• Proven ability to work collegially with management and team members.
• Ability to adapt to rapidly changing priorities and balance competing assignments. 

Application Process

Send resume with references, short writing sample, and a cover letter to Hiring Manager at hiring@advancingjustice-aajc.org or 1620 L Street NW, Suite 1050, Washington, DC 20036. Applications with all four items will be considered. 

Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC is an equal opportunity employer.