Policy Officer

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation•RWJF Washington, DC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is seeking a Policy Officer to ensure that relevant and timely nonpartisan research and analysis, advocacy, strategic communications, and grantmaking efforts work together to address pressing issues in health and social policy. This role reports to the associate vice president, Policy, and involves providing strategic guidance on policy issues across RWJF departments and contributing to Policy department activities. The position requires a passionate commitment to equity and the Foundation’s mission and Guiding Principles. RWJF is dedicated to transforming health by dismantling structural racism and other barriers to health, focusing on economic inclusion, equitable public health and healthcare systems, and healthy community conditions. The foundation fosters an inclusive, collaborative, and creative work environment.

Requirements

Commitment to racial and health equity and to the Foundation’s vision, values, and Guiding Principles.
Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in federal and/or state health policy, advocacy, or related policy environments.
Master’s degree in relevant field of study. Additional relevant experience equivalent can substitute for an advanced degree.
Knowledge of designing, implementing, and advancing programmatic or policy strategies, including work in public health, equity, philanthropy, advocacy, government, or closely related fields.
Knowledge of approaches in equity-focused systems change, including how institutional, network-level, or field-based interventions are designed, assessed, and refined to advance policy and systems outcomes.
Skill in facilitating strategic collaboration, shared learning, and alignment across diverse partners, disciplines, departments, and contexts in matrixed environments.
Ability to build, sustain, and leverage relationships and partnerships at the local, regional, and national levels to advance shared change and policy objectives.
Proficiency in clear, respectful written and verbal communication, including presenting complex or sensitive issues to internal leadership, grantees, funders, and external audiences.
Ability to manage multiple priorities independently and collaboratively, applying judgment to balance competing demands, advance program goals, and deliver results.
Judgment required to operate effectively in ambiguous and high-visibility contexts, including identifying risks, consulting appropriate internal partners (e.g., Communications, Legal), and exercising role-appropriate discretion.
Knowledge of philanthropy and grantmaking processes, and the ability to apply that knowledge to design, manage, and learn from strategic grantmaking initiatives over time.
Professional commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Ability to travel to Princeton or Washington, D.C. office for relevant internal meetings and other in-person events as requested by your people leader.
Ability to travel, as needed for grantee meetings, conferences, site visits, and community events.
Deep social justice values and commitment to the practice of racial justice, health equity, and the Foundation’s vision, values, and Guiding Principles.

Nice To Haves

Seven (7) years of experience in federal and/or state health policy, advocacy, or related policy environments.
Nine (9) years of experience in federal and/or state health policy, advocacy, or related policy environments.

Responsibilities

Contribute to Policy department activities, including strategy development, execution, and monitoring of grantmaking, government relations, and strategic alignment.
Monitor and learn from programs, grants, and government relations activities, and create impact through knowledge dissemination.
Center equity, structural racism, and intersectional forms of oppression in learning, program, strategy development, and program management.
Lead the design and management of strategic grantmaking initiatives that support Foundation-wide policy priorities and the department’s efforts in direct influence.
Identify potential policy and advocacy partners, understand their alignment with Foundation priorities, evaluate their capacity, and manage resulting grants.
Apply equitable philanthropic principles and learn from the work over time.
Assist in grantee information sharing and coalition-building to achieve external alignment of grantees working toward a shared vision.
Cultivate trusting relationships with grantee and field leaders to inform development, implementation, and management of programs, and to stay informed of field advancements.
Facilitate relationships, coordination, grantmaking, and strategy with other RWJF departments.
Develop and maintain an understanding of the policy agendas, priorities, and activities of the Foundation’s strategic portfolios and related departments.
Bring this understanding back to the Policy department to help shape grantmaking and direct influence strategies.
Facilitate collaboration around, and alignment with Foundation-wide and portfolio-specific priorities.
Identify the need for and develop cross-portfolio connections and coordination opportunities, including information sharing, shared learning, government relations activities, gatherings, joint strategic frameworks, or co-funding.
Facilitate support for, and learning from policy-focused grantee organizations that work with more than one department or portfolio.
Create and facilitate forums for staff from multiple RWJF portfolios for sharing insights and lessons on common grantees and aligning strategies.
Track and help to coordinate key areas (e.g., advocacy, public health, power-building) that cut across RWJF.
Identify appropriate ways for the Policy department to engage on these issues.
Work toward internal alignment across departments in the Foundation toward a shared vision.
Consult with Communications, the Law department, and other relevant resources to consider and mitigate legal and reputational risks for government relations and grantmaking work.
Facilitate and coordinate with other departments to develop and maintain institutional relationships with national, regional, state, and local funders.
Work with colleagues to evaluate, synthesize, and share lessons with other staff, grantees, and the field.
Participate in Foundation-wide strategic collaboration and learning activities.
Represent the Foundation publicly regarding advancing equity, policy priorities, funding, and results.
Engage with public and private funders in areas of focus.
Participate in conferences, seminars, and other professional development activities to maintain and enhance expertise and professional status.
Respond to public inquiries about the application process.
Participate in department activities and efforts to improve team functioning, including following team norms and providing support and backup for team members.
Perform other duties as assigned.