Business Unit Description

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million that helps people turn their goals and dreams into 'Real Possibilities' by changing the way America defines aging. With staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and promote the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare security, financial security and personal fulfillment. AARP also advocates for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the world's largest circulation magazine, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin.

Policy, Research and International Affairs (PRI) serves AARP by leading the development and articulation of AARP's public policies, research and insights on the 50+ and issues that matter to them, importing best global practices, and strengthening AARP's reputation for world class expertise and thought leadership.

Summary

Reporting to the Director, LTSS in the Public Policy Institute, the Sr. Strategic Policy Advisor is a senior level professional with policy development and research experience in LTSS who identifies solutions to major policy challenges related to: Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) including Home and Community-Based Services, Older Americans Act Services, Nursing Home Care, Managed LTSS, and LTSS Financing, including Medicaid LTSS. The regular activities of this position include complex and diverse policy analysis, solution development and thought leader outreach. The incumbent implements this work in support of AARP's efforts in addressing challenges in the above areas, and does so in collaboration with other members of the Family, Home and Community (FHC) team.

As a subject matter expert, this person develops policy options and reform strategies to enable AARP to advocate and promote transformational social changes in line with AARP's enterprise priorities. This includes conducting and overseeing the conduct of original research projects on high visibility and potentially controversial policy issues in areas of importance to AARP.

This issue expert critiques federal and state legislative and regulatory proposals, provides objective policy analysis to inform AARP's public outreach and advocacy efforts, represents AARP in important public policy forums, and serves as an expert resource to AARP staff and volunteer leaders, as well as to opinion leaders and policymakers outside AARP.
Responsibilities

1. Identifies LTSS policy challenges and solutions. Uses appropriate methodologies and data to conduct and oversee original research on highly visible and potentially controversial policy issues in AARP's areas of importance.
2. Supports the Enterprise goals in protecting and strengthening Medicaid LTSS, assisting the Director of LTSS and working across teams with the Director of Health and Federal programs on the Health Security Team on Medicaid issues. Advises AARP leadership as requested on state and federal health program & LTSS policy issues and contributes to cross-enterprise initiatives where appropriate, including workgroups and strategy development.
3. Provides objective policy analysis and expert guidance for timely use by key internal clients. Evaluates current policy positions and provides extensive input for the drafting of The Policy Book: AARP's Public Policies.
4. Develops policy options and forward-looking strategies to enable AARP to promote changes in public policy and the general marketplace that make it possible for 50+ Americans to live a better life.
5. Critiques legislative and regulatory proposals in area of expertise, and provides objective policy analysis to inform AARP's public outreach and advocacy efforts,
6. Represents AARP in public forums, and serves as a resource to AARP staff, as well as to stakeholders and organizations outside AARP.
7. Designs, writes, edits, and fact-checks reports and presentations in accordance to AARPs standards and using AARP's "People First" approach to research.
8. Researches and prepares materials and reports to support management decision-making.
9. Provides project support for the LTSS Choices initiative, the LTSS State Scorecard, and other related events and products.
10. Supports activities including research, communications, strategy, project/event planning and implementation.
11. Serves as an active member of the planning and implementation teams and provides input and insight.
12. Uses a range of research methods to identify LTSS problems, challenges and barriers and analyze policy solutions.

Requirements

• Completion of an advanced degree in Public Policy, Social Sciences, Law, Gerontology or a related discipline, and a minimum of 8 years of experience related to the position. Completion of a Doctorate degree preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the entire LTSS continuum of care and state and federal issues in LTSS including funding and operational issues related to home and community-based services; an in-depth working knowledge of Medicaid, including waiver programs and services (e.g., personal care, adult day services, assisted living), dual eligible programs (e.g., PACE); working knowledge of programs of the Administration on Community Living; state and federal regulatory processes; LTSS Finance.
• Strong analytical skills and experience analyzing LTSS data; ability to write data-driven fact sheets, policy briefs, and research reports.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills.
• Exceptional skills in presenting subject matter and data for all types of audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with audiences using different forms of communication (e.g. written, oral, print/broadcast media, and digital/social media).
• Excellent interpersonal and partnership development skills.

Success in this position requires:

• The ability to evaluate intangible factors, such as potential changes in the political, business or social environment, in order to advise on the development of multi-year plans that move progressively toward achievement of each goal.
• Technical expertise in quantitative research methods and analysis to complete independent research, provide oversight for contractors and collaborate with colleagues.
• The ability to initiate and complete work independently, plan and manage one's workload, and complete work under tight time pressures.
• The ability to think strategically when developing a work plan.
• The ability to excel in a team environment and to collaborate with others within the Public Policy Institute, across Policy, Research and International, and with other business units across the AARP enterprise.
• The ability to balance and manage short-term deliverables with long-term projects.
• The ability to exercise excellent judgment when dealing with internal and external stakeholders.
• A solution-oriented mindset.

At AARP, the health and well-being of our candidates, employees, and members is a top priority. As a result of the COVID pandemic, all non- essential employees will continue to work remotely through the end of 2020. AARP has established social distancing policies to ensure the safety of our essential employees.

Compensation and Benefits

AARP offers competitive benefits with a 401K, 100% company funded pension plan, health, dental, vision and life insurance, STD/LTD, paid vacation and sick, and other benefits.
Equal Employment Opportunity

AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.