Chief of Policy & Advocacy (Volunteer)

Chief of Policy & Advocacy (Volunteer)

PromisePublic | Policy, Advocacy & Systems Change

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Location: Hybrid / Remote

Type: Volunteer (Senior Leadership)

Reports To: Executive Director (CEO)

Works Closely With: Chief of Communications (PromiseVoice), Government Relations Lead, Advocacy Teams, PromiseLearning, PromiseBridge, PromiseMeasure

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth experiencing housing instability through mentorship, education, and community. Beyond direct service, MAP is committed to addressing the systemic conditions that impact students and families through thoughtful, ethical, and community-centered advocacy.

About PromisePublic | Policy, Advocacy & Public Engagement

PromisePublic is MAP’s public-facing division responsible for policy, advocacy, public engagement, and systems change. The division ensures that MAP’s voice, advocacy efforts, and policy positions are aligned with its mission, grounded in lived experience, and executed with integrity and compliance.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Chief of Policy & Advocacy to lead MAP’s policy strategy, advocacy initiatives, and systems change efforts.

This role is responsible for defining policy priorities, guiding advocacy strategy, and ensuring all external engagement aligns with nonprofit compliance requirements and organizational values.

The Chief of Policy & Advocacy serves as the central leader connecting policy, community voice, and institutional influence.

Key Responsibilities

Policy Strategy & Development

• Define and lead MAP’s policy priorities aligned with mission and program insights
• Develop policy positions informed by student, family, and community needs
• Ensure policy work reflects equity, dignity, and lived experience

Advocacy Leadership

• Oversee advocacy strategy, campaigns, and public engagement efforts
• Guide responsible and compliant advocacy practices (non-lobbying and lobbying boundaries)
• Support development of advocacy materials including briefs, op-eds, and public statements

Government & External Engagement

• Work closely with Government Relations to support engagement with policymakers and agencies
• Help prepare testimony, briefings, and external communications
• Represent or support MAP’s presence in policy and advocacy spaces

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure all advocacy work complies with nonprofit regulations and lobbying limitations
• Establish internal guidelines for advocacy and public engagement activities
• Coordinate with legal and compliance teams as needed

Cross-Division Alignment

• Collaborate with PromiseVoice to ensure consistent messaging
• Work with PromiseLearning and program teams to ground policy in real program experience
• Align advocacy with partnerships and community engagement efforts

Leadership & Systems Development

• Build and guide advocacy structures, workflows, and priorities
• Advise executive leadership on policy positioning and strategic direction
• Maintain timely, professional responsiveness via Google Workspace

Qualifications

Required

• Experience in public policy, advocacy, or government relations
• Strong understanding of policy development and systems change
• Strong writing, communication, and public speaking skills
• Ability to navigate complex regulatory and compliance environments
• Alignment with MAP’s mission and dignity-centered values

Preferred

• Experience in nonprofit advocacy or public sector work
• Familiarity with NYC or state-level policy environments
• Experience with coalition building and stakeholder engagement
• Experience drafting policy briefs, testimony, or advocacy materials

Commitment

• Volunteer senior leadership role
• Approximately 5–10 hours per week
• Minimum 6-month commitment preferred
• Hybrid / remote with optional NYC-based collaboration

What You’ll Gain

• Senior leadership experience shaping policy and advocacy strategy
• Direct collaboration with executive leadership and cross-functional teams
• Opportunity to influence systems impacting youth and families
• Professional references and letters of recommendation
• A meaningful role advancing equity, access, and long-term change

How to Apply

Interested candidates must apply directly through Idealist and submit:

• Resume (required)
• Cover letter (required) describing relevant experience in policy, advocacy, or government relations and interest in MAP’s mission

This role shapes how the organization influences systems.

Help ensure that our work not only supports students—but changes the conditions around them.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.