Policy Jobs in Washington

POSITION: Policy, Advocacy & Executive Support Coordinator

REPORTS TO: Co-Director

OFFICE LOCATION:Hybrid, within Puget Sound Region with offices in Kent, WA

HOURS: Regular/Full time 40 hours per week*/FLSA Non-Exempt

SALARY RANGE: $28.00 – $34.00 per hour

BENEFITS: Benefits package includes healthcare stipend, paid time off (vacation and sick leave), paid holiday, and mileage reimbursement for authorized business travel.

CLOSING DATE: Posted until filled

About Mother Africa

The mission of Mother Africa is to support African women refugees and immigrants and their families to reach their highest potential. We have been working in the South King County area since 2012 and have a strong record of community-led projects and programs.

Position Summary

Mother Africa is looking for a full-time Policy, Advocacy & Executive Support Coordinator to play a crucial role in supporting the organization’s efforts to influence public policy and advocate for systemic change. This position involves assisting with research, policy analysis, executive-level administrative support, and the coordination of advocacy initiatives. The coordinator works closely with senior staff and external stakeholders to ensure the organization’s advocacy and policy goals are well-researched, effectively communicated, and strategically implemented.

A key component of this role is to serve as a key organizational resource by managing schedules, coordinating meetings and communications, maintaining records, supporting special projects, and helping ensure that executive priorities are completed efficiently and on time.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, dependable, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in a fast-paced nonprofit environment. This position regularly handles sensitive and confidential information and requires sound judgment, professionalism, discretion, and strong interpersonal skills.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU:

If you’re passionate about community-owned solutions, you will find Mother Africa an exciting place to apply your skills. In this role, you’ll see the innovative ways that our community is building solutions that work for them despite the many barriers our systems impose. You will get to practice asset-based community engagement work to mobilize communities and organizations toward change. You will engage with a broad range of audiences as you work creatively to bring them into Mother Africa’s journey. Most importantly, you will build critical relationships within the organization and its circle of partners that will feed your soul, keep you grounded, and expand your professional network as you learn and grow with us. We love to promote from within, and you’ll have the chance to grow with us in a work culture that is relational and supportive. Mother Africa supports each member of the organization in reaching their full potential—this isn’t just a community service, but a way of life for us.

Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesExecutive & Administrative Support

• Provide direct administrative support to the Co-Director and assist with day-to-day executive priorities.
• Manage and maintain the Co-Director's calendar, appointments, meetings, and scheduling requests.
• Coordinate internal and external meetings, including preparing agendas, gathering materials, and documenting meeting notes and action items when requested.
• Monitor deadlines, commitments, and follow-up items to help ensure timely completion.
• Prepare correspondence, reports, presentations, meeting materials, and other documents.
• Assist the Co-Director with organizing and prioritizing incoming requests and communications.
• Maintain organized electronic and physical records in accordance with organizational practices.
• Coordinate travel arrangements, conference registrations, accommodations, and related logistics as needed.

Communication & Coordination

• Serve as a professional point of contact for employees, community partners, vendors, funders, Board members, and other stakeholders seeking to communicate with the Co-Director.
• Draft and proofread emails, letters, reports, announcements, and other communications on behalf of or for review by the Co-Director.
• Help facilitate communication between executive leadership, employees, programs, and external partners.
• Respond to routine inquiries and appropriately route matters requiring executive attention.
• Maintain professionalism and cultural sensitivity when communicating with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Policy Monitoring and Project Support

• Track and monitor legislative and policy developments at local, national, and international levels.
• Maintain a database or system for tracking relevant policies, regulatory changes, and emerging trends.
• Prepare summaries of new policies and regulations for internal stakeholders.
• Focus on specific projects relevant to Mother Africa’s goals including environmental justice and gender based violence prevention (including female genital cutting (FGC) prevention and response in Washington state)
• Co-lead Mother Africa’s Policy & Advocacy staff committee

Advocacy Assistance

• Draft advocacy materials such as fact sheets, talking points, and presentations.
• Coordinate logistics for meetings, events, and workshops related to advocacy initiatives, including trips to Capitol Hill in Olympia.
• Assist in outreach efforts to policymakers, community organizations, and the public.

Meetings & Organizational Support

• Schedule and coordinate leadership, staff, community, and other organizational meetings.
• Prepare meeting agendas, presentations, supporting documentation, and other materials.
• Take meeting minutes or notes when requested and maintain records of decisions and assigned action items.
• Track follow-up responsibilities and provide reminders regarding outstanding items and deadlines.
• Assist with Board-related scheduling, documentation, meeting preparation, and administrative support as assigned.
• Support organizational events, trainings, community meetings, and special initiatives.

Projects & Operational Support

• Assist the Co-Director with special projects and organizational initiatives.
• Track project deadlines, deliverables, and assigned responsibilities.
• Conduct basic research and compile information to support executive decision-making.
• Assist with preparation and organization of information related to grants, contracts, reports, audits, or compliance requirements as directed.
• Coordinate with program and administrative staff to collect information needed by executive leadership.
• Identify opportunities to improve administrative processes, organization, and workflow.

Confidentiality & Records Management

• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding employee information, organizational matters, financial information, community members, and other sensitive information.
• Exercise discretion and sound judgment when handling confidential communications and documents.
• Maintain accurate and organized executive and organizational records.
• Follow Mother Africa's policies regarding confidentiality, data security, document retention, and privacy.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Required:

• Demonstrated commitment to equity, anti racist, anti oppression, anti colonial, healing justice, and utilizing a community-centered mindset in practice.
• Experience working with African or Middle Eastern communities or living/working in Africa or the Middle East.
• Associate's or bachelor's degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Social Sciences, Public Health, Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Communications, or a related field.
• Minimum of 2 years of administrative, executive support, office coordination, or related experience.
• Previous experience supporting an executive, Executive Director, Co-Director, or senior leadership team.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines with limited supervision.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise professional judgment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Zoom, Canva and other common office technology.
• Ability to work effectively and respectfully with individuals from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Preferred:

• Experience working in advocacy, public policy, or a related field.
• Familiarity with specific areas of focus (e.g., human rights, environmental policy, healthcare).
• Experience with grassroots organizing or public awareness campaigns.
• Previous nonprofit or community-based organization experience.
• Multilingual abilities relevant to the communities served by Mother Africa.
• Experience coordinating Board meetings, community events, grants, or nonprofit administrative activities.

Physical & Work Requirements

• Ability to perform administrative work for extended periods using a computer and other office equipment.
• Ability to attend meetings, community events, or organizational activities as required.
• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required depending on organizational activities and events.
• Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please apply via Indeed.com If you have questions about this position, please contact our Co-Director, Risho Sapano at 253-249-8811.

Employment Practice Mother Africa is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications are considered without regard to race, age, sex, color, creed, religion, disability, national origin, marital status, mental or physical handicap, sexual orientation (heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality), and expression of gender identity or any other classification protected by law.

Mother Africa is an equal opportunity employer.We encourage African candidates to apply.

Pay: $28.00 - $34.00 per hour

Expected hours: No less than 30.0 per week

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Application Question(s):

• What languages do you speak
• What experience do you have working with African or Middle Eastern communities?
• Do you have multilingual abilities relevant to the communities served by Mother Africa

Education:

• Associate (Preferred)

Experience:

• Executive administrative support: 2 years (Preferred)
• communication and coordination: 2 years (Preferred)
• Policy Monitoring: 2 years (Preferred)
• Project Support: 1 year (Preferred)
• Community Outreach: 1 year (Preferred)
• Content creation: 1 year (Preferred)
• Grassroots non-profit: 2 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Kent, WA 98032 (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Kent, WA 98032