Political Research Specialist
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. Planned Parenthood organizations serve all people with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.
Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates, which operate non-profit health centers across the U.S. PPFA also works to educate the public on and advocate for issues of sexual and reproductive health. Formed as the advocacy arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Planned Parenthood Action Fund is a separate non-profit membership organization tax-exempt under section 501(c)(4). The Action Fund engages in educational, advocacy, and limited electoral activity, including grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and voter education in furtherance of the Planned Parenthood mission. Committed to electing candidates who are steadfast in their support for sexual and reproductive health and rights in furtherance of the Action Fund's mission, Planned Parenthood Votes (PPVotes), an independent expenditure committee (SuperPAC) registered with the Federal Election Commission, conducts independent expenditures in federal races, and engages in state elections as permitted by state campaign finance laws.
Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and Planned Parenthood Action Fund (Action Fund) seek a politically savvy and detail-oriented Political Research Specialist. This job reports to the Director, Advocacy Research in the Research & Policy department. The Advocacy Research team provides opposition, mis- and disinformation, and political research on actors in the sexual and reproductive health and abortion access space and provides research assistance to PPFA's and the Action Fund's advocacy programs and separately, to Action Fund and PPVotes’electoral programs.
This role is expected to begin in March 2026 and end in December 2026.
\n- The Political Research Specialist will provide research support for advocacy and political campaigns across departments and local Planned Parenthood organizations in order to ensure materials are accurate and strategic.
- Enable Planned Parenthood national and local organizations to better understand the rapidly-changing political landscape around abortion, and then provide research support as they leverage that understanding to win real policy victories on the federal and state level. Separately, this role enables the Action Fund and PPVotes to better understand the political landscape around abortion and elections to provide research support as those national and local advocacy and political organizations leverage that understanding to make electoral gains at the federal and state level.
- Compile research on the stances and statements of elected officials and political figures around sexual and reproductive health to share with relevant staff across the organization.
- Represent the Research and Insights team at different external tables related to opposition research and build relationships with political research partners.
- Document successes of the program to share with internal and external stakeholders, including donors.
- Provide research support and fact-checking in key campaigns, including PPFA and Action Fund’s state and federal policy and issue fights, and Action Fund and PPVotes’ electoral work.
- Track in real time what political opposition, including elected officials, organizations, and candidates, is saying on issues related to sexual and reproductive health.
- Produce and maintain a trove of research for Action Fund and PPVotes on electoral races, including federal and state legislators, key nominees on the federal and state level, and state ballot initiatives.
- Compile, synthesize, and analyze public and internal polling on elected officials, candidates, and issues related to the mission of Plan
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required
- 2-3 years of professional experience (including internships) in politics, political campaigns, or doing research for advocacy organizations required
- Experience or academic training in research and research methods in a political or advocacy environment
- Familiarity with survey research and analysis
- A meticulous eye for fact-checking
- Professional confidence to provide guidance and manage up and sideways in the context of fact-checking
- Ability to independently drive complex work on many stakeholders and navigate competing priorities
- Ability to digest and communicate complex information to nontechnical stakeholders
- Flexibility to learn and adapt quickly
- Commitment to the mission, vision, and values of Planned Parenthood
Travel: 0-10% Domestic
The Planned Parenthood cultural ethos, "In This Together", reflects our commitment to building a workplace culture that fosters belonging, promotes learning throughout the employee lifecycle, and recognizes individual contributions to our mission.
Planned Parenthood Federation of America participates in the E-Verify program. Planned Parenthood Federation of America is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a non-discriminatory work environment, and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Planned Parenthood Federation of America is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus, and innovation.