Director of Policy (Volunteer)
Mentor A Promise, new york, ny, United States
Director of Policy (Volunteer)
Organization
Mentor A Promise (MAP)
Location
Hybrid / Remote
Type
Volunteer
Reports To
Chief of Policy & Advocacy
Works Closely With
Advocacy Team, Government Relations Lead, PromiseMeasure, PromiseLearning, PromiseBridge
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. In addition to direct service, MAP is committed to advancing policies that address systemic barriers affecting students and families.
About PromisePublic | Policy, Advocacy & Public Engagement
PromisePublic is MAP’s public-facing division responsible for policy development, advocacy, and systems change. The division ensures that MAP’s work is informed by research, aligned with community needs, and positioned to influence meaningful change.
Role Overview
We are seeking a Director of Policy to lead policy research, development, and strategic positioning for MAP. This role focuses on identifying key policy issues, developing evidence‑based positions, and supporting the organization’s long‑term policy agenda. The Director ensures that policy work is grounded in data, aligned with program insights, and structured for impact.
Key Responsibilities
Policy Research & Development
- Lead research on issues impacting youth experiencing housing instability
- Develop policy briefs, memos, and position statements
- Identify emerging policy opportunities and risks
Strategy & Policy Agenda
- Support development of MAP’s policy priorities and strategic direction
- Align policy work with program insights and community needs
- Ensure policy recommendations are actionable and evidence-based
Cross-Team Collaboration
- Work with Advocacy and Government Relations to translate policy into action
- Collaborate with PromiseMeasure to integrate data and impact insights
- Engage with program teams to ground policy in lived experience
Documentation & Communication
- Produce clear, structured policy documents and summaries
- Support development of materials for leadership, partners, and stakeholders
- Ensure policy positions are consistent and well documented
Compliance & Alignment
- Ensure policy work aligns with nonprofit guidelines and advocacy boundaries
- Support clarity between policy development and lobbying activities
- Coordinate with leadership on sensitive or high‑impact issues
Systems & Responsiveness
- Maintain organized documentation of policy research and outputs
- Support tracking of policy initiatives and developments
- Maintain timely, professional responsiveness via Google Workspace
Qualifications
Required
- Experience in public policy, research, or related field
- Strong analytical, writing, and research skills
- Ability to synthesize complex information into clear recommendations
- Strong organizational and strategic thinking skills
- Alignment with MAP’s mission and dignity‑centered values
Preferred
- Experience in nonprofit, government, or policy organizations
- Familiarity with NYC or state‑level policy environments
- Experience writing policy briefs or reports
- Background in education, housing, or social policy
Commitment
- Volunteer role
- Approximately 5–10 hours per week
- Minimum 6‑month commitment preferred
- Hybrid / remote with optional NYC‑based collaboration
What You’ll Gain
- Experience leading policy development in a mission‑driven organization
- Opportunity to shape policy positions impacting youth and families
- Collaboration with advocacy, research, and leadership teams
- Professional references and letters of recommendation
- A meaningful role advancing systems‑level change