Vice President for Public Policy and Practice

• Expected to adhere to all responsibilities specified in the Board of Directors member at large position description
• Chairs the Public Policy Committee of the Board, including the following responsibilities, among others:
  • Develops meeting agendas with the Deputy Executive Director for Public Policy
  • Presides over committee meetings, both in person and virtually
  • Reaches consensus among committee members on issues that require decisions, or in rare cases where consensus is not possible, reaching a majority opinion
• As a member of the Board, actively participate in setting the strategic direction for the association in all goal areas, including the following responsibilities, among those other duties prescribed to Board members at large:
  • Engage the Board in discussion of key public policy matters
  • Recommends for Board approval public policy objectives for the Association’s strategic plan.
  • Contributes to the development of policies, priorities, and positions for the association and helping provide direction for the development and stewardship of NAFSA’s resources through the Strategic Plan.
  • Reviews and recommending to the Board the formation of subcommittees and reviews and approves task force requests to achieve specific objectives.
  • Represents the Board and Executive Committee in various venues.
  • May be asked to serve on committees or task forces of the Board.
• As the key official elected to communicate with the members about public policy and regulatory practice issues, communicate the results of the Board’s work and priorities to the committees and to the larger membership, including the following:
  • Encourages members and other grassroots advocates to be involved in the success of NAFSA’s advocacy efforts
  • Engages in social media and grassroots communication strategies
• Oversees the work plans and input of the EA-RP and ISS-RP Committees, ensuring that both the Strategic Plan priorities and the objectives of the EA-RP and ISS-RP subcommittees are addressed, including the following:
  • Coordinates the committees’ input to the refreshing of the Strategic Plan, and communicating the results of the Board’s work and priorities to the committees and to the larger membership
  • Provides leadership and direction to the EA-RP and ISS-RP Committees, ensuring their planned activities reflect the Strategic Plan, and monitoring progress toward fulfilling the objectives of the plan
  • As needed, recruits, selects and appoints members to the EA-RP and ISS-RP Committees working with the Leadership Development Committee, and staff
  • Coaches and mentors the committee members and holds them accountable for their objectives, consistent with the Strategic Plan
  • Working with the Deputy Executive Director, Leadership and Professional Development Services, resolves any issues arising where staff performance inhibits EA-RP and ISS-RP Committees’ ability to achieve objectives
     

The Vice President of Public Policy and Practice will champion NAFSA’s ongoing commitment to DEI as articulated in NAFSA’s strategic plan: “Advances diversity, equity, and inclusion in the international education profession” (goal 3(d)).

• Engages board committees to identify and implement strategies for increased personal outreach, recruitment, onboarding, and engagement toward diversity-focused and underrepresented groups. 
• Sensitivity to avoid unconscious bias in decision-making. 
• Leads the assessment of relevant practices, policies and procedures of the board.
• Fosters an inclusive environment by increasing accessibility and participation from underrepresented groups, individuals, and institutions. 
• Seeks to learn and understand the multicultural perspectives of member leaders, our constituents, and stakeholders to align with the NAFSA commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Ensures that NAFSA continues to incorporate diversity, equity and inclusion as we set international education policy goals and policymaking decisions.
   

Relationships with other members
The VPPPP works most closely with the members of the Public Policy Committee of the Board, the Chairs and members of the EA-RP and ISS-RP Committees, the Executive Committee members, and his/her colleagues on the Board of Directors. For the EA-RP and ISS-RP Committees, s/he serves as manager and coach and holds them accountable for meeting the objectives set in their annual work plans. The VPPPP also has representative duties with other leadership groups.

Relations with the Staff
The VPPPP works most closely with the Deputy Executive Director for Public Policy and with senior directors in the Public Policy and Professional Practice departments and may also work with other members of NAFSA’s senior management team in the fulfillment of his/her duties as a member of the Executive Committee.  The VPPPP’s relationship with the senior staff is that of partners.
 

The term of the Vice Presidency is three years.  Upon election, the in-coming VPPPP will shadow the sitting VPPPP in the fall prior to assuming the position in January and attends the new board members orientation session which is held virtually just after the December meeting of the Board of Directors. 

In each year of tenure, the VPPPP is expected to attend all Board meetings (March, September, December, and any special meetings) and any meetings of the Executive Committee called by the President and Chair, and all meetings of the Public Policy Committee of the Board.  Meetings are held in Washington, DC, or may be held virtually.  S/he is also expected to prepare for and attend the Washington Leadership Meetings (WLM) in late January and participate in fall planning activities (virtual meetings, email, etc.), as assigned. The VPPPP represents the Board at fall regional conferences and spring regional team meetings, as assigned, and serves on Board task forces, as requested.

Working with the Chairs of the EA-RP and ISS-RP Committees, the VPPPP will also attend virtual meetings approximately ten times a year and in-person meetings at the annual conference and WLM.  

The VPPPP is expected to review email daily and respond promptly to staff, leaders, and other members of the association and to report critical issues to the full Board or the President and Chair in a timely fashion. On-going work in coaching and managing the leaders in his/her purview and in reporting and answering questions should be expected. 

Like all board members, the VP PPP is expected to make an annual financial contribution to the Association, in keeping with your personal giving situation and plans.
 

Required Qualifications

• Understanding of public policy process 
• 10 or more years as an international educator, with strong preference for experience in both education abroad and immigration practice
• Proven experience in managing volunteers
• Demonstrated ability in chairing committee meetings and reaching consensus among various viewpoints
• Comfort with dissenting opinions and ability to explain the association’s policy positions effectively
• Excellent communication and relationship-building strategies and skills 
• Prior experience in a management position that required strategic and operational planning 
• Access to and skill in email communication
• Willingness and availability to travel

Desired Qualifications 

• Familiarity with non-profit finance and audit reporting
• Previous experience on an educational or non-profit board of directors
• Experience in other NAFSA leadership positions