National Director of Policy, (Un)warranted

Role and Responsibilities 

ideas42’s (Un)warranted initiative seeks a seasoned policy professional with a track record of success to join the senior team and lead policy work. (Un)warranted focuses on reducing missed court dates, which are a leading cause of arrest/jail and disproportionately impact people of color and communities with low wealth. We work to expand the use of evidence-based interventions to improve court appearance rates using behavioral science, primarily focusing on two proven solutions: court date reminders and improved court date forms. These solutions result in a more efficient and equitable criminal legal system and help hundreds of thousands of people avoid unnecessary and ongoing entanglement in the system.

While we have worked directly with local and state jurisdictions to design new reminders and forms, the most impact will be created through legislative and other policy changes requiring statewide implementation. The National Director of Policy will be the lead architect and executor of (Un)warranted’s new campaign of policy, advocacy, and legislative activities, and set the overall strategic direction in consultation with the Managing Director. The National Director of Policy will be the primary liaison with state and federal stakeholders on policy matters and be a leading voice for our evidence-based, cost-effective interventions.

About ideas42 & (Un)warranted

We’re a non-profit using deep insights into human behavior to help improve lives, build better systems, and drive social change. For more than a decade, we’ve been at the forefront of applying behavioral science in the real world. And as we’ve developed our expertise, we’ve helped to define an entire field. Our efforts have so far extended to 40 countries as we’ve partnered with governments, foundations, NGOs, private enterprises, and a wide array of public institutions.

Our Safety & Justice team partners with local and state governments to improve outcomes and increase equity in the legal system. Through our (Un)warranted initiative, we bring our proven expertise in reforming court date communications to help courts and system partners across the country effectively reduce nonappearance and its harmful consequences.

• Lead the design and delivery of policy efforts for (Un)warranted initiative, including developing policy strategy/annual action plans and successfully executing on priorities.
• Promote policies that follow the scientific evidence and best practices, translating data and our behavioral insights into specific, actionable policy recommendations as well as legislative and regulatory language.
• Expand and leverage the (Un)warranted network to develop and cultivate strong relationships across the political spectrum with coalitions and advocacy organizations, elected officials, and legal system stakeholders, among others.
• Effectively collaborate with other stakeholders, organizations, and groups to amplify policy efforts and enact proposed policy changes, including providing expertise on these interventions and related information such as evidence, data, model bills, testimony.
• Identify target states, including power mapping, landscape analysis, and engagement with state-level advocates.
• Engage federal government and policymakers to encourage further state-level action.
• Conduct research on messaging with policymakers, court officials, and other legal stakeholders.
• Create and disseminate materials that support policy change and/or effective implementation of policy. This includes legislation, fact sheets, policy briefs, presentations, blog posts, opinion editorials, toolkits, talking points, and other communications and materials.
• Communicate widely about our work, through convenings, webinars, media outlets, interviews, and testimonies.
• Hold webinars and briefings for policymakers and advocates.
• Support fundraising efforts.
• Build and manage a policy team.
• Other responsibilities as needed to advance policy goals.

Minimum qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience in policy or related fields.
• 10-14 years of full-time relevant work experience, with substantial experience in policy matters related to the legal system.
• Highly effective and diplomatic communicator with demonstrated success influencing stakeholders to adopt evidence-based interventions.
• Track record of leading successful state policy work and campaigns to advance legislative change.
• Experience drafting legislative and regulatory language at the federal or state level.
• Experience building and working with broad-based coalitions to pass laws or regulatory change.
• Demonstrated success executing plans of action and driving projects to meet strategic goals.
• Problem-solver who works well independently, and can manage multiple responsibilities and projects simultaneously.
• Commitment to providing expertise and advocating for policies that are grounded in research, data, and evidence.
• General interest in field of behavioral science, and expressed interest in learning more.
• Experience managing others.
• Excellent writing, verbal, and public speaking skills with a commitment to high-quality output.
• Mission-aligned, self-starter, able to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Preferred qualifications 

• Master's degree or equivalent practical experience such as a JD, MPP or MPA. Law degree preferred.
• Leadership of multi-state policy efforts and campaigns that met feasibly ambitious goals.
• Deep expertise about the court system, and general knowledge of behavioral science.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We value diversity and inclusion and are dedicated to growing our teams with people who have diverse experiences, backgrounds, and skills. We are committed to fair and unbiased hiring practices that support equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, ethnicity, gender, national origin, age, abilities, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Candidates who identify as BIPOC, with lived experience and/or having been personally affected by the criminal legal system are strongly encouraged to apply.

Working with Us 

We seek curious, creative, rigorous people with an entrepreneurial spirit. A passion for understanding human behavior, pursuing innovation, and promoting the social good is critical, but prior expertise or training in behavioral economics or psychology is not required.  

Our core values are at the heart of everything at ideas42: 

• We live and breathe what we do. We look at everything through a BEHAVIORAL LENS. 
• We take OWNERSHIP. We don’t just work at ideas42, we take shared responsibility for it. 
• We DO GOOD. We use our expertise to improve millions of lives and create a better world for all. 
• We have fun. We let PLAYFULNESS inform the way we work and our approach to the world, helping to drive our creativity and improve our solutions.
• We live with a SPIRIT OF GENEROSITY. We approach our colleagues, partners and people whose lives we seek to improve with an attitude of selflessness and cooperation.
• We are TENACIOUS. We never take the easy route, but push to stretch the limits of what’s possible.
• We are RIGOROUS in how we think and how we tackle problems. 

Benefits and Compensation 

We hope that you are excited by the opportunity to work with us. We are proud to offer a comprehensive and behaviorally designed benefits package and other perks to support our team and allow us to focus on our work of solving tough social problems.  

• Insurance: We offer fully-covered medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance coverage for you and your families. 
• 401(k) Match: We contribute 3%, even if you don’t contribute at all. 
• Generous Vacation and Paid Time Off: We offer 24 days of vacation per year for full-time staff, plus paid holidays and sick leave.
• Paid Parental Leave 
• Fitness benefits
• Dependent Care Accounts
• Phone benefits including reimbursement towards a new smart phone
• Professional Development fund
• Loan Forgiveness: Based on our 501(c)3 status, you are able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. 

Application Process Overview

• Application: Submit your application and resume
• First Round Interview: Selected candidates will be invited to interview with an ideas42 program team member
• Final Round assignment: Selected candidates will be invited to complete a final interview assignment and will be asked to present this during their final interview.
• Final Round Interview: Selected candidates will be invited to interview with an ideas42 senior team member. References will also be requested and contacted during this time.

Submit your application here.