Overview
Volunteer Director of Advocacy Jobs in Des Moines, IA at Gender Freedom Society
Title: Volunteer Director of Advocacy
Company: Gender Freedom Society
Location: Des Moines, IA
Gender Freedom Society is a 100% volunteer-run, 501(c)(3) nonprofit based virtually in the United States. We are dedicated to educating and supporting the transgender community while striving to normalize transgender existence within broader society. Through educational platforms, outreach efforts, and moderated social media, we cultivate a culture where transgender rights are respected, and gender diversity is celebrated as vital to human identity. Everyday our team of global volunteers comes together in an effort to make this world a better place for the Trans/GNC community.
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Volunteer Director of Advocacy
Position Overview
Gender Freedom Society (GFS) is seeking an experienced, compassionate, and strategic Volunteer Director of Advocacy to oversee all advocacy operations across the organization. This senior leadership role is responsible for guiding the vision, coordination, and effectiveness of GFS’s advocacy efforts in support of transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals.
The Director of Advocacy ensures that all advocacy work is mission-aligned, community-informed, and strategically coordinated across multiple focus areas, including policy advocacy, general community advocacy, and prison advocacy. This role works closely with executive leadership and serves as a key voice in shaping organizational priorities and responses to emerging threats or opportunities.
Scope of Oversight
The Director of Advocacy provides leadership and oversight for the following areas
- Policy Advocacy Program
- Overseen through the Policy Advocacy Manager
- General Advocacy Program
- Overseen through the General Advocacy Manager
- Prison Advocacy Program
- Overseen through the Prison Advocacy Manager
Each program operates with distinct goals while remaining unified under a shared organizational advocacy strategy.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and maintain an organization-wide advocacy strategy aligned with GFS’s mission and values.
- Identify priority issues affecting transgender and gender-nonconforming communities at local, state, and national levels.
- Guide long-term advocacy planning and ensure responsiveness to rapidly changing political or social conditions.
Program Oversight & Coordination
- Provide supervision, guidance, and support to advocacy managers.
- Ensure coordination, collaboration, and consistency across advocacy programs.
- Review advocacy plans, initiatives, and campaign strategies for alignment and effectiveness.
- Help remove barriers and provide problem-solving support to program leaders.
Collaboration with Executive Leadership
- Serve as a senior advocacy advisor to the Executive Director and leadership team.
- Provide timely updates on advocacy risks, trends, and opportunities.
- Contribute to organizational decision-making, strategy sessions, and leadership planning.
Community-Centered Advocacy
- Ensure advocacy efforts reflect the lived experiences and needs of transgender and GNC communities.
- Promote ethical, trauma-informed, and respectful advocacy practices.
- Support community engagement and feedback mechanisms across advocacy programs.
External Engagement & Partnerships
- Represent GFS in coalitions, advocacy networks, and partner discussions when appropriate.
- Support relationship-building with aligned organizations and advocacy partners.
- Coordinate cross-organizational advocacy efforts when beneficial.
Monitoring, Reporting & Impact
- Oversee tracking of advocacy outcomes, legislative developments, and program impact.
- Support development of advocacy summaries for internal use, public education, or grant reporting.
- Ensure consistent documentation and knowledge-sharing across advocacy programs.
Leadership Approach
The Director of Advocacy is expected to lead with empathy, clarity, and accountability. This role emphasizes collaboration over hierarchy and empowerment over micromanagement, ensuring advocacy leaders feel supported, heard, and equipped to succeed.
Qualifications
- Strong commitment to transgender rights, equity, and social justice.
- Demonstrated experience in advocacy, organizing, nonprofit leadership, or policy-related work.
- Ability to think strategically while remaining grounded in community needs.
- Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
- Experience supporting or managing volunteer-based or remote teams.
- Ability to navigate sensitive, high-impact advocacy issues with professionalism and care.
- Lived experience within marginalized communities is valued and welcomed.
Time Commitment
- Flexible, volunteer-based leadership role.
- Estimated 5–10 hours per week depending on organizational needs and current advocacy activity.
- Fully remote.
