State Policy Advocate

Profile

State Policy Advocate

Duties: Leads campaigns to change the laws, policies, and practices that contribute to the wrongful conviction of innocent people. A central goal of the Innocence Project is to reform the criminal justice system to prevent future injustices, and the advocates work state by state to pass laws that address deficiencies in the system that have been identified through the exoneration of innocent people. Working in legislatures, with law enforcement, local advocacy organizations and other stakeholders, the advocates lobby, build coalitions and create pressure for reform. Reports to the Director of Policy and works in close collaboration with key members of the policy staff. Initiate and lead state-level advocacy campaigns, with an emphasis on legislative campaigns. Prepare reports, testimony, memos, op-eds and other briefing materials for state-specific campaigns based on analysis and synthesis of research, data and other information. Serve as a spokesperson for reform efforts in state campaigns. Develop policy messaging, in partnership with the communications team, to accompany communications strategies for state campaigns. Identify and cultivate stakeholder partnerships to support state campaigns. Facilitate and curate state legislative hearings. Provide local partners in multiple states with advice and support from the IP Policy Department on policy initiatives. Provide technical assistance to and manage contract lobbyists. Develop relationships with local/state advocates, stakeholders & policymaker staff. Facilitate and represent the organization at symposia, trainings, legislative hearings, and state-level task forces. Spark interest in the need for innocence reforms. Build allies at the state level in service of the policy work. Support organizational participation in specified coalitions and/or task forces. Engage local partners and create in-state coalitions. Cultivate champions for reform among influential lawmakers, law enforcement leaders, and other criminal justice stakeholders in state and local government.

Company info

Innocence Project
40 Worth St., Suite 701
New York
New York
United States 10013
Website : http://www.innocenceproject.org/