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About Think of Us Think of Us (TOU) is transforming the child welfare system into one where young people and families can heal, develop, and thrive. We drive purpose-driven work aligned with meaningful systems change, powered by data and the insights of lived experience. Our focus is on prevention, keeping families strong before crisis, and on building kinship-first systems so children grow up with people they know and trust. Through bold collaborations with leaders and innovators across the public and private sectors — from Presidential Administrations to local providers — we identify leverage points and co-create solutions that re-architect child welfare for the future. Here’s what this looks like: Built the Lived Experience Engine into the largest dataset of its kind (51,000+ voices), powering AI tools and shaping reforms Partnered with California to launch the Kinship Accelerator in 8 counties, backed by $150M and a budget increase from $317M → $896M Drove a national kin-first shift: 39 states (plus 5 tribes) adopting kinship standards, unlocking $3B for families Operate one of the largest direct resource networks, connecting 1,827 families to $28M+ in support  Our team members share a commitment to driving systems change through creative problem-solving, obsessive curiosity, and a love of quickly driving innovative, measurable, and impactful results.  Position Overview Department: External Engagement  Reports to: Senior Director, Federal Lead Direct Reports: N/A Location: Hybrid; Washington, DC (min. 3 days in the office) Category: Full Time / Exempt The Senior Associate, External Engagement supports the External Engagement Team with developing and implementing advocacy strategies that engage policymakers and key partners, and building coalitions around Think of Us' mission that lead to systems change. This role goes beyond policy analysis: it requires someone who can lead lived-experience engagement, coordinate logistics, and support convenings. The Senior Associate will directly support the Senior Director of Policy and provide cross-functional support across the entire External Engagement team on advancing TOU priorities. We're looking for someone with strong attention to detail who is comfortable with an all-hands-on-deck approach to the work — moving fluidly across projects, contributing creative thinking, and partnering closely with the team. This is a key support role on a collaborative, fast-paced team united by TOU's common throughline: transforming the foster care system into a child and family well-being system. Driven by a commitment to centering lived experience, the Senior Associate provides critical support across a range of responsibilities: tracking, developing, and analyzing policy proposals, legislative activities, and relationships; preparing timely and compelling advocacy materials; leading logistics and ethical engagement for people with lived experience; project managing work plans and convenings; and using AI tools responsibly to strengthen the team's policy and knowledge work. Key Responsibilities Policy Analysis and Advocacy (30%) Support External Engagement staff by providing timely, accurate, and relevant research on issues relating to child and family well-being, flagging unexpected barriers or opportunities as they arise. Write and disseminate briefing documents to educate internal team members and community members. Monitor state and federal child welfare policy and proactively keep TOU staff abreast of emerging issues, partnership opportunities, and potential projects. Contribute to and develop content for external TOU policy communications, including public comments, web content, issue briefs, social media content, reports, fact sheets, policy memos, and white papers. Build and maintain a bench of relationships with congressional staffers to support consistent, well-prepared engagement on C