Policy Consultant (Contract Role - Reproductive Healthcare) (Washington)

Policy Consultant (Contract Role - Reproductive Healthcare)

Join to apply for the Policy Consultant (Contract Role - Reproductive Healthcare) role at Upstream USA.

Contraceptive care is basic health care. Yet too many patients in the U.S. struggle to access the care they want, when they want it.

A national nonprofit founded in 2014, Upstream USA partners with healthcare organizations to provide free training, education, and technical assistance to improve their contraceptive services and meet their patients’ needs – at no cost to them. Over ten years, we’ve supported 200+ healthcare partners (including primary care practices, federally qualified health centers, health systems, and more) with a transformative approach that empowers patients to access the contraceptive care where they already receive most of their healthcare.

We’re on a path to partnering with health care organizations that collectively serve 5 million patients by 2030.

We do not accept funding from pharmaceutical companies or the government. Our work is made possible by generous support from venture philanthropy. That privilege comes with high expectations about growth and scale and a focus on measurable outcomes and impact.

We’re a 2023 Audacious Project recipient that continues to garner attention from many leading publications, including Harvard Public Health, Bloomberg, MedPage Today, Baltimore Sun, the Fresno Bee, and WBUR. We welcome individuals interested in career opportunities, partnerships, or philanthropic endeavors seeking additional information to visit our website ( or email us at View email address on apply.placed-app.com.

Policy Consultant Duties and Responsibilities

This is a part time, temporary contract role beginning on January 5, 2026 that will end on or around June 29, 2026. The individual must be based in the Washington DC metro area and be available up to 25 hours per week.

Scope of work

• Monitor activity related to federal programs, initiatives, rules, and regulations; provide detailed summary and analysis to internal stakeholders; draft public comments
• Monitor updates from other national contraceptive access stakeholders regarding policy priorities, new programs or partnerships, etc., and brief internal stakeholders
• Lead efforts in Congress to advance specific legislative and funding priorities
• Maintain and build Congressional relationships and execute specific activities with Congressional offices
• Support state policy work as needed
• Support other special projects as needed

Required Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Ability

Upstream fosters a mission-oriented workplace and welcomes applicants of all backgrounds. The ideal candidate upholds our mission of accessible, patient-centered contraceptive care, builds trust through empathy and honesty, and contributes to a collaborative culture. They bring enthusiasm to their work, creating opportunities for connection and celebration.

• Direct federal policy and advocacy experience, such as working in Congress, a federal government agency, or another health-related nonprofit organization
• Technical expertise in Medicaid and/or domestic family planning
• Ability to synthesize technical policy information for non-policy audiences
• Political acumen and a demonstrated track record of advancing policy priorities on both sides of the aisle
• Relevant relationships that could help to advance Upstream’s mission, including (but not limited to) Congressional or administrative relationships, state Medicaid agency relationships, and Medicaid managed care organization relationships
• Previous experience supporting clients on temporary, fixed-term engagements
• While we are a remotely based organization, we maintain an on-camera culture during meetings to support connection, engagement, teaming and collaboration. Must be comfortable and able to participate in this environment

Travel Requirements

This role will require some local business travel in the greater Washington, DC metro area.

Hourly Rate and Duration

• The hourly rate for this role is $100 – $125/hour based upon experience – working up to 25 hours per week.
• January 5, 2026 through June 29, 2026

Pay Transparency

Final offers for this position will be based upon several factors including the scope of the role, market compensation analysis, position requirements, candidate’s experience level and capabilities, fairness in internal pay considerations and will be made within the parameters of Upstream USA's compensation framework and philosophy.

Other Upstream Staff Expectations

• All Upstreamers must be able to attend work-related in-person meetings and functions as needed.
• In our hybrid work environments, there is a basic expectation that our Upstreamers will ensure that their work from home setups will have reliable access to phone and Internet to ensure connectivity to their teams.
• At Upstream we gather for moments that matter for training, teaming and connection. Our teams come together for occasional in person meetings and organizational retreats. As part of our hybrid work practices, this travel expectation will be applicable for all Upstreamers, even those based remotely.
• Engage in organization-sponsored learning & development

Hiring Process

Candidates who advance in our preliminary review process will have an opportunity to discuss the position, their employment background and lived experience with a member of our talent acquisition team by telephone. Those who advance to subsequent steps in our interview process may participate in up to three rounds of meetings by Zoom or in person and in a thought exercise/case study assignment. Each round could consist of multiple meetings with various Upstreamers. If you need anything in advance of your interviews, please reach out to your recruiter.

Our Culture

We are dedicated to fostering a fair and accessible talent lifecycle, ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to thrive. From recruitment to career development, we strive to create a workplace where talent is recognized, supported, and empowered to contribute meaningfully. Building a strong, representative workforce is essential to our success, and we prioritize collaboration, transparency, and shared leadership to cultivate an environment where all voices are heard and valued.

Our commitment extends beyond hiring – we invest in professional growth, mentorship, and inclusive workplace practices to support long‑term success for our employees. You can learn more about our organization on our career site.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Upstream is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know. Upstream USA participates in E-Verify.

No phone calls please.

Be advised that we do not ever conduct hiring interviews via text or email.

Please protect yourself by learning more about our hiring practices and common red flags to look out for.

Job Details

• Seniority level: Director
• Employment type: Contract
• Job function: Other
• Industries: Technology, Information and Internet