The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) led efforts to win passage of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act, Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (to improve school food), Food Safety Modernization Act, Menu Labeling, and Food Allergen Consumer Protection Act. The Senior Policy Associate advocates for improved food and nutrition policies with local, state, and federal policymakers, encourages the food industry to improve their products and practices, and engages organizations, health professionals, academics, and concerned citizens in supporting food and nutrition policies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead efforts to pass policies through bill drafting, policy tracking, and providing technical assistance to advocates.
• Develop and maintain relationships with national, state, and local organizations, coalitions, advocates, and policymakers. Cultivate support for policies from organizations, health professionals, university faculty, and concerned citizens.
• Conduct policy research and write reports, fact sheets, social media, and other advocacy materials.
• Encourage companies to improve their practices and products.
• Mange policy projects, supervise staff, and supervise interns.
• Represent CSPI at conferences, meetings, in coalitions, with policymakers, and in the press.
• Help secure funding for policy projects by working with the development department on grant applications and reports. Manage and report on grants.

Qualifications

• MS, MPH, JD, or the equivalent, plus at least 7 years of professional policy/advocacy experience.
• Interest and commitment to CSPI's work and mission.
• Experience developing and implementing successful policy/advocacy campaigns and maintaining the partnerships necessary for advancing those campaigns.
• Strong research and analytical skills with the ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to engage internal and external stakeholders in a persuasive, credible, and professional manner.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including public speaking experience. Ability to produce high quality written materials.
• Excellent judgment and consistent professionalism, with the ability to take responsibility for multiple projects and deadlines in fast-paced environment.
• Ability to supervise, mentor, and evaluate staff performance.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with MSOffice applications, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Familiarity with social media and other web-based advocacy tools.
• Ability to work additional hours as needed.

CSPI is a non-profit health-advocacy group based in Washington, DC, that focuses on protecting the public from diet-related health problems. CSPI provides valuable, objective information to the public, represents citizens' interests before governmental bodies, and serves as a watchdog over industry. CSPI publishes Nutrition Action Healthletter (NAH), the nation's largest circulation nutrition newsletter, and is supported by the subscribers to NAH, individual donors, and foundation grants.

CSPI offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package along with a healthy working environment. CSPI is an equal opportunity employer. Minorities, women, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.