Systems Advocacy Fellow

Jane Doe Inc. (JDI) is a vibrant and effective statewide social justice coalition that is working to create a safer, freer, and healthier Massachusetts beyond abuse. With our 65 member programs, other state and territorial sexual and domestic violence coalitions, and key local and national partners, JDI strives to create social change by addressing the root causes of violence and promoting justice, safety, and healing for survivors. At its core, our work includes public policy and systems advocacy, prevention and movement building, messaging and communications, membership services, training, and education and advocating for racial justice and social change. JDI’s member programs provide advocacy and support to tens of thousands of survivors each year in the Commonwealth. Guided by the voices of survivors, JDI brings together organizations and people committed to ending sexual and domestic violence.

Position Summary

This is an exciting opportunity for an emerging leader with a demonstrated commitment to advancing survivor-centered systems change through a social justice lens. The Systems Advocacy Fellow is responsible for supporting cross-systems policy, research/analysis, and coordination efforts that impact survivors of sexual and domestic violence, with particular attention to those navigating courts, child welfare, housing, and other systems. Working closely with JDI's policy leads, full team, member programs, and statewide partners, the Fellow will help assess how policies and practices function in real time, identify gaps, and contribute to the development and implementation of responsive, survivor-informed solutions.

JDI’s office is located in Boston, MA. Candidates will be expected to be based in Massachusetts and/or neighboring New England states, be able to commute to Boston as required, and work in a hybrid setting. JDI holds in-person meetings 2-3 times per month, with additional onsite work for meetings as needed. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated the ability to work independently and remotely.

Responsibilities:

1.    Support and conduct research to identify systems gaps, barriers to access, and emerging needs impacting survivors across family and probate court, district court, state agencies, and other intersecting systems, with a focus on informing policy and practice improvements

2.    Build and maintain collaborative relationships with legal service providers, civil legal practitioners, court personnel, and other key stakeholders to strengthen survivor access to justice

3.    Coordinate planning of statewide Court Summit during the Fall of 2026 to bring together advocates, survivors, judicial personnel, court staff, and attorneys to discuss system responsiveness

4.    Contribute to research, coordination, and implementation efforts related to JDI’s priority policy areas, including Massachusetts’ 2024 law that addresses coercive control and image-based sexual assault

5.    Support initiatives related to high-risk cases, including researching Massachusetts’ Fatality Review Board, and assisting with data collection, analysis, and tracking of domestic violence homicides in Massachusetts

6.    Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of current systems interventions by identifying gaps and continuing to make recommendations for improvement, such as access, service, and enforcement of protection orders

7.    Conduct research and support engagement related to understanding child survivor well-being within the child welfare system, including issues of visitation and child custody, and how systems impact survivors and children

8.    Collaborate with internal teams and external partners on housing and shelter-related advocacy, including participating in convenings, supporting cross-team coordination, and helping to identify and elevate survivor needs.

9.    Engage in sexual assault-specific policy and systems advocacy efforts, including advocacy related to survivorship, trafficking, and sex work.

10. Provide administrative, research, and coordination support for statewide data collection efforts, including DV Counts, rape crisis center surveys, and housing-related surveys, ensuring accurate tracking and analysis.

11. Represent JDI on relevant task forces, committees, and other relevant working groups, articulating the needs of programs and survivors with a lens that centers those most marginalized; address barriers that prevent survivors from accessing services and resources.

12. Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated commitment to the work of ending gender-based violence, and to upholding social justice and anti-oppression values; in-depth knowledge of sexual and domestic violence dynamics and root causes, and experience working with marginalized communities preferred.
• Excellent research and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information, identify trends and gaps, and translate complex information into accessible findings and recommendations
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities to manage; must be comfortable working on a team as well as independently and demonstrate expertise in multitasking.
• Excellent facilitation and communication skills, with the ability to sustain relationships across diverse stakeholders
• Working knowledge of MA laws as they pertain to sexual and domestic violence, as well as more broadly around systems impacting survivors.
• Substantive experience and knowledge in one or more of the following areas:
• Access to safety and justice (civil and non-carceral approaches to survivor safety)
• Housing/homelessness
• Child welfare/family policing
• Human trafficking and sex work
• Must have the ability to travel statewide and nationally as needed. Flexible schedule required at times.
• Competency in Microsoft Office; experience with data tracking or survey tools is a plus
• Must have a strong understanding of the civil and/or criminal legal system; Juris Doctor (JD) or survivor-focused legal advocacy experience preferred.

Compensation

This position is exempt from the wage and overtime provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. This is a Grant-Funded 12-month position (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027).

Salary: $95,000 & Generous benefits package:

o  JDI-subsidized Group Health and Dental Insurance.

o  JDI-paid life insurance, AD&D insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability.

o  14 paid holidays; Plus, the week between Christmas and New Years.

o  20 days of paid accrued leave (personal and vacation); paid sick leave.

To apply

• Please send a resume and a thoughtful cover letter with “Systems Advocacy Fellow” in the subject line to jobs@janedoe.org by April 30, 2026. No calls please.