Health Policy and Advocacy Internship

Reporting to a Health Policy Strategist, the primary learning outcome expectation for this role is to gain a robust understanding of policy and advocacy practice in Missouri through hands-on work with the Missouri Foundation for Health Policy and Advocacy team. In addition, the individual in this role will learn about a variety of possible careers within the field of policy, advocacy, and philanthropy in general. This role also will provide the individual with specific skill development in writing, research, database and CRM systems, and outreach and relationship building. The primary project of this role is to map the advocacy landscape in Missouri as it relates to Missouri Foundation for Health’s strategic initiatives and relationships. This will require meeting with and collaborating with individuals across the organization, giving the Health Policy and Advocacy intern exposure to a wide range of roles at Missouri Foundation for Health.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct research on policy issues and legislative updates at the state and federal level.
• Summarize research to update Missouri Foundation for Health staff and work teams.
• Attend internal Missouri Foundation for Health work team meetings as assigned.
• Attend and take notes at external meetings, conferences, and or hearings. (This may include the optional opportunity to travel to Jefferson City or elsewhere in Missouri.)
• Conduct research on the nonprofit and advocacy landscape in Missouri, providing insights into key individuals and organizations related to Missouri Foundation for Health’s strategic initiatives.
• Use internal Missouri Foundation for Health systems to map foundation relationships and gaps within the nonprofit and advocacy landscape, especially as it relates to our strategic initiatives.
• Schedule meetings with Missouri Foundation for Health staff to gain further insights about relationships between Missouri Foundation for Health and partners.
• Help to build relationships with organizations and individuals identified as gaps in the relationship mapping work, including initial outreach, scheduling meetings, and meeting to learn more about external groups.
• Summarize meeting notes to update Missouri Foundation for Health staff and work teams.
• Attend site visits with external partner organizations.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Currently enrolled in an academic program related to health policy, social work, political science, or a related field.
• 1 year of related work experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word.
• Basic computer proficiency (email, search engines, etc.)
• Strong interest in health policy.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT DEMANDS:

The physical and work environment demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the responsibilities of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with a disability to perform the position responsibilities.

This position requires the ability to work in a traditional office environment and to use standard office equipment, including a computer. The employee is regularly required to sit, stand, bend, and move about the office. The role may require occasionally lifting or moving items up to 10 pounds.

This position is for approx. 20 hours per week from August to November.