Health Policy Professional—PA Partnerships for Children

August 2017

Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children (PPC), a statewide children’s advocacy organization located in Harrisburg, PA, has an immediate full-time opening for a health policy professional.

PPC’s vision is to be one of the top ten states to be a child and raise a child. Today, Pennsylvania ranks 18th in the nation for child well-being. Our health care policy work is focused on ensuring every Pennsylvania child has health insurance and that benefit packages for children are appropriate to meet their needs. Current initiatives have focused on protecting against negative changes to Medicaid, CHIP, and the Affordable Care Act.

The successful candidate for this position will be key in advancing our health care policy agenda and will be an integral part of PPC’s team. Applicants should have a strong background in health care policy work at the state and federal level, including policy planning and development, project management, and coalition building. Familiarity working in an advocacy-focused environment is critical.

The position reports to the Vice President of Public Policy.

Primary duties include:

• Using data and research, proactively develops a public policy platform to assure that every Pennsylvania child has health insurance and can access health care benefits that fully meet his or her physical and behavioral health care needs. Maintains current research to support our advocacy efforts and works with the PPC KIDS COUNT director to assure that our health care data is robust and up to date.
• Explores additional areas to consider in expanding our health care policy work, including but not limited to child nutrition, maternal depression, and behavioral health.
• Builds and maintains PPC’s statewide health coalition and stakeholder partnerships. Fully engages these partners, as appropriate, in our grassroots and advocacy work. Proactively works to expand our health network by identifying non-traditional partners and grasstops leaders.
• Monitors and analyzes current state efforts focused on health policy with emphasis on efforts in the Department of Human Services, including the CHIP office. Builds and maintains strong relationships with program staff within these offices. In addition, monitors and analyzes federal efforts focused on children’s health issues. Coordinates with pertinent staff, including the President and CEO and Vice President of Public Policy, on adapting PPC policy priorities accordingly. In partnership with the Vice President of Public Policy, analyzes legislative activities as needed.
• In coordination with other PPC staff, participates and represents the organization in health care-focused coalitions, task forces, and advisory groups, both inside and outside of government, as appropriate.
• Develops ideas and content for communications materials, including policy briefs and data reports, factsheets, presentations, blogs, infographics, and other mediums in consultation with Director of Communications. Provides relevant information and updates for inclusion in regular PPC publications.
• Assists in grant application and reporting requirements. Builds strong relationships and maintains regular contact with pertinent funders.
• Other duties as assigned by the Vice President of Public Policy.

Special qualifications necessary:

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy or related field required; advanced degree a plus.
• A minimum of 7, but preferably at least 10 years of progressive work experience in a public policy setting; experience focused on health care policy is a must.
• Content knowledge and strong data analysis skills is required, as is the ability to utilize this knowledge in formulating and advancing policy change.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and be able to multi-task across a variety of ongoing projects.
• Contribute in a team environment, as this position will require close coordination with other PPC staff in related areas.
• Strong written and oral communication skills required.

Salary and benefit package are highly competitive and commensurate with experience. Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children is an equal opportunity employer.