The Shriver Center on Poverty Law – Government Relations Liaison (posted 7-15-19 until filled)
Job Announcement: July 3, 2019
Position Title: Government Relations Liaison
Reports to: Senior Director of Policy and Director of Healthcare Justice
Location: Springfield and Chicago, IL with occasional travel to other areas in Illinois
and Washington, DC
The Shriver Center on Poverty Law fights for economic and racial justice. Over the past 50
years, we have secured hundreds of law and policy victories with and for people experiencing
economic instability in Illinois and across the country.
Everything we do is powered by communities most affected by poverty. We litigate, shape local
policy, and train and convene multi-state networks of lawyers, community leaders, and activists
to advance opportunity for all—not just the few.
Our country is rife with laws and policies that systematically disadvantage certain groups while
advantaging others based on their race, gender, and other facets of their identities. We believe
laws and policies—and the institutions that apply them—should be designed to support people.
Together, we’re turning this ideal into reality.
We are building a future where all people, families, and future generations have equal dignity,
respect, and power under the law. Join the fight at povertylaw.org.
Position Overview: The Government Relations Liaison is responsible for participating in the
development, advancement and implementation of the Shriver Center on Poverty Law’s local,
state, and federal policy advocacy efforts, with the primary focus on the agency’s state policy
advocacy. The Shriver Center on Poverty Law practices community-driven advocacy and our
policy agenda is developed in partnership with the communities we serve. This position will
build and grow community partnerships and facilitate campaigns to advance policies that
eliminate racial and ethnic disparities and advance racial equity, reduce income inequality and
promote the well-being of vulnerable populations.
Responsibilities:
• Serving as the main representative of the Shriver Center on Poverty Law on legislative
and administrative advocacy in concert with the Shriver advocates, directly impacted
communities, and community organizations.
• Identify and cultivate key relationships with elected and appointed officials and staff;
serving as the organization’s primary liaison with government officials, including elected
and administrative officials at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Represent the Shriver Center on Poverty Law locally and in Springfield, IL during the
legislative session and travel to Washington, D.C. as needed.
• In conjunction with the advocacy teams, monitor, evaluate, research, and respond to
local, state, and federal policy developments and issues, including legislative and
regulatory proposals.
• In conjunction with the advocacy teams, maintain strong relationships with communities,
strategic partners and coalitions who will help to decide the Shriver Center on Poverty
Law’s policy agenda and advance systems change.
• Build policy and advocacy knowledge and skills among Shriver Center on Poverty Law
staff.
• Serve as the primary liaison with the designated advocacy staff to the Communications
team on all policy related matters.
• Work with Shriver Center on Poverty Law staff and partner organizations to develop our
policy and advocacy platform and annual policy priorities.
• Work with the Communications team and Shriver Center on Poverty Law advocates to
support the creation of content to help partner organizations, members, supporters,
funders, staff, and Board understand the Shriver Center on Poverty Law’s policy goals,
process, and outcomes.
Qualifications:
• 5 or more years of work experience in policy at the local, state, or federal level.
• Knowledge of the political and policy landscape in Illinois, especially in one of more of
the areas of expertise of the Shriver Center on Poverty Law, including health, public
benefits and employment, racial equity, housing, or criminal justice.
• Experience and ease in communicating with high-level policy makers, including those in
the legislative and executive branches, opinion leaders, and their staff; experience
lobbying on the ground in Springfield preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze public policy proposals, including the drafting of
legislation and regulatory language.
• Experience working within directly impacted people and communities, coalitions and
collaboration with a diverse set of stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly in writing and in oral presentations
to a range of audiences.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to conduct business travel throughout the state and country, especially to
Springfield during the state legislative session and occasionally to Washington, D.C.
Salary/Benefits: This full-time exempt position offers a competitive annual salary and a
comprehensive benefits package.
Opening/Closing Date: Open immediately; closed when filled.
Applications: Send a cover letter and résumé to Stephanie Altman at hr@povertylaw.org.
At the Shriver Center on Poverty Law, we know that a richly diverse mix of professionals makes
organizations more effective. As such, we make demographic and experiential diversity a
hallmark and priority of all our work.