Political Director

About PANA

The Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans - PANA is a non-profit, non-partisan organization fighting to advance the full economic, social, and civic inclusion of refugees in San Diego, throughout California, and across the country. PANA works at the intersection of African, Middle Eastern, Muslim, & South Asian (AMEMSA) refugee communities impacted by racial/ethnic profiling, religious bias, increased government surveillance and harassment, and poverty among the many issues affecting our refugee communities. 

PANA advances significant policy reforms at the city, county, and state level to ensure newly resettled refugees have equal access to family sustaining jobs, quality and healthy homes, and meaningful education that translates to upskilling in the workforce. In addition to policy  advocacy, PANA uses an integrated voter engagement approach to build and leverage deep community networks, develop community leaders, and establish a civic engagement infrastructure to amplify the voice, visibility and impact of our community.

JOB DESCRIPTION

PANA seeks an experienced policy advocate to serve in the newly created position of Political Director. The Political Director will develop and lead local, state, and federal policy campaigns that expand protections for and promote the full inclusion of refugee and Black, Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, and South Asian (BAMEMSA) communities. The Political Director will be part of the PANA Leadership Team, will lead the policy and civic engagement teams, and will lead PANA’s work to reform and implement policies to ensure refugees and asylum seekers achieve true belonging. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Political Director will report to the Executive Director and be responsible for the following:

• Lead, train, and supervise PANA’s policy and civic engagement teams, including policy associates, policy fellows, and the civic engagement manager.
• Work closely with and provide support to the organizing and legal teams to respond to emergent issues requiring policy solutions and reforms. 
• Serve as lead on PANA’s local, state, and legislative work, including legislative sponsorship, co-sponsorship, and determining PANA positions on other legislation that impacts refugee and BAMEMSA communities.
• Develop policy reforms and campaigns on issues directly impacting refugee communities, including employment, housing, health, national resettlement policy, and surveillance. 
• Conduct policy research and data analysis, and draft and review policy reports.
• Foster and maintain relationships with key lawmakers at the local state, and federal levels. 
• Represent PANA and play a leadership role in local, state, and federal coalitions.
• Speak publicly at government hearings, conferences, and to media. 
• Support the political education and leadership development of PANA’s Steering Committee and community leaders.

QUALIFICATIONS

The Political Director will have the following qualifications:

• A commitment to PANA’s mission, a passion for social justice, and deep knowledge of the challenges facing refugee and BAMEMSA communities.
• A master’s degree and a minimum of five years professional experience, or a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of eight years professional experience.
• Experience developing and leading policy campaigns.
• Experience working on electoral or ballot campaigns.
• Experience supervising and training junior staff and community leaders.
• Experience building and leading coalitions.
• Excellent research, writing, and oral skills.
• The ability to juggle multiple priorities effectively in a fast paced, rapidly changing environment.  
• The ability to work with diverse people and organizations.
• The ability to travel to Sacramento and Washington, D.C. as needed.
• Familiarity with PDI or other voter file software.
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• Experience using social media for social change.