POLICY DIRECTOR

SIHB Core Competencies

Core Competencies are foundational commitments and skills that all SIHB staff are expected to develop. These competencies define common measures for performance that are applied to every role in the organization.

• Commitment to Indigenous and Organizational Values: Everything we do at SIHB is centered on Traditional Indian Medicine. It is our responsibility to maintain cultural integrity in all that we do.
• Accountability: All employees of SIHB effectively manage their own work and the work of their teams. We take ownership of our actions and decisions. We all strive to deliver the highest quality work and care, while respecting our teammates and relatives.
• Collaboration: SIHB is a team-oriented organization. As team members, we share the responsibility of working toward a common purpose. We collaborate with our colleagues across the organization to deliver the highest quality of care and results in alignment with our mission, vision, values and Theory of Change.
• Communication: We practice effective and clear communication with staff, relatives, teams and community. We demonstrate empathy among each other and with those we serve, and transparency in our decision making.
• Customer Service Orientation: All employees of SIHB recognize the needs of the diverse community we serve. We put the needs of our relatives first by delivering the highest quality, professional, responsive, and innovative care. Our relatives come first and deserve the best.

Position Summary: The Policy Director collaborates closely with SIHB’s Executive Leadership Team to direct and provide oversight of public policy and advocacy projects that impact the health and well-being of urban American Indian and Alaska Native people. The Policy Director is responsible for stewarding SIHB’s policy priorities, formulating and implementing initiatives, and monitoring and evaluating the advancement of SIHB’s policy priorities. This position interfaces with local, state, federal and tribal stakeholders, and community organizations to advance health care and public health equity. Responsibilities include division leadership, departmental budgeting, staff supervision, oversite and direction of policy staff, and coordination of policy and advocacy projects related to healthcare, public health systems and social determinants of health among American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

Organizational Structure/Reporting Relationships: This position reports directly to the Chief Public Affairs Officer and is part of the Government Affairs department within the Public Affairs division. This position supervises policy staff.

Organizational Responsibilities

• Hold Indigenous values and practices with respect and integrity.
• Hold yourself accountable to the highest standard by being resourceful, innovative, creative and solutions-oriented.
• Actively participate in organizational activities with the understanding that success is achieved through teamwork.
• Recognize that communication is central to the organization’s success and actively champion your words and actions to maintain respect for others, encourage constructive feedback, be open to share laughter and acknowledge differences in skills and opinions, all while keeping others’ best intentions in mind.
• At SIHB, we refer to our customers as Relatives. Our Relatives come first and deserve the best. We serve the needs of our Relatives by delivering the highest quality, professional, responsive, and innovative care.

Job Responsibilities

• Collaborates with SIHB’s Executive Leadership Team and Board of Directors Policy Committee to create, lead and execute policy and advocacy strategies and maximize opportunities that align with SIHB’s mission and Theory of Change;
• Develop and cultivate positive working relationships with decisionmakers from tribes, state, local and federal agencies, and community partner organizations;
• Manage SIHB’s relationships with Congress, public officials, government agencies, and administrative officials.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on tribal, local, state, and federal policy and political activity;
• Monitor trends in local, state, and federal policy landscapes to adapt policy and advocacy strategies as necessary;
• Demonstrate strong knowledge of local, state, and federal regulatory processes and procedures;
• Develop and successfully implement culturally attuned legislative strategy designed to advance Indigenous health equity;
• Work in partnership with SIHB’s Executive Leadership Team to shape policy positions, environments, and narratives in alignment with tribal and urban Indian policy partners;
• Advocate during the local, state, and national legislative session. Draft legislation; prepare and deliver testimony; attend and advocate in legislative committees, taskforces, and working groups; identify opportunities for bipartisan support. Track and analyze legislation that affects our direct service work;
• Develop and implement department budgets and grants management;
• Direct departmental policy research and analysis on urban American Indian and Alaska Native health policy issues – including healthcare systems, public health, and social determinants of health;
• Direct organizational positions and messaging for content for press releases, policy newsletters, website, and other media including guiding the development of talking points, memos, and reports;
• Oversee maintenance of electronic files and records, databases, and/or computer tracking systems for project documentation and monitoring;
• Draft original content for policy reports, letters, public testimony, etc;
• Review analytical and narrative documents for accuracy and completeness;
• Develop and disseminate materials regarding legislative developments and barriers related to the Indian healthcare system for national partners, policy makers, and staffers;
• Lead policy and advocacy events and trainings to internal and external partners;
• Serve as a representative of SIHB to workgroups, committees, commissions and make oral presentations utilizing displays and other audio-visual aids as necessary;
• Maintain accurate written records and prepare clear concise written documents;
• Communicate effectively and professionally, both orally and in writing;
• Work effectively and efficiently with internal staff, partner organizations, vendors, and contractors; Supervise and oversee coordination of departmental personnel management including supporting professional growth opportunities and clearly communicating roles and responsibilities; and
• Occasional travel.
• Other job-duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of six years of work experience in public policy, political science, public administration, public health or a closely related field OR;
• J.D. or Masters level education in public policy, public administration, public health, or a closely related field provided that the applicant has demonstrated experience in relevant skills;
• Successfully pass a background check.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience working with American Indian and Alaska Native people and communities;
• Knowledge of health and social issues facing American Indian and Alaska Native people;
• Demonstrate commitment to health equity;
• Knowledge of equity-based frameworks;
• Knowledge and understanding of social determinants of health;
• Public policy, research, and evaluation theory and practice;
• Policy analysis and research theory and practice;
• Experience crafting policy, rules, or legislation and working directly with lawmakers and government officials;
• Strong knowledge of legislative and administrative advocacy strategies and processes;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, colleagues, public officials, representatives of other agencies and organizations, community members and clients;
• Work well under pressure, meet multiple and often competing deadlines;
• Demonstrate excellent communication and networking skills, including public speaking, writing, group facilitation, and communicating cross-culturally with diverse partners, and interacting with people of all ages and cultural backgrounds; and
• Proficiently use software programs such as Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and ability to learn new software for client management services, scheduling, and financial management.

Work Environment: SIHB staff work four (4) ten (10) hour shifts per week. Standard hours are 7 am to 6 pm, 4 days a week, with occasional extra hours for travel, events or to meet deadlines.