How to apply for Human Resources Consultant

About Abortion Fund of Maryland

The Abortion Fund of Maryland (AFM) is a reproductive justice organization dedicated to ensuring abortion access for Marylanders by providing direct funding and practical support. As a mission-driven fund, AFM operates at the intersection of social justice and direct service, making it a unique place for HR professionals passionate about reproductive freedom. Working here means contributing to a cause that directly impacts people's lives and bodily autonomy.

About the role

This contract HR Consultant role is a hybrid of ongoing HR advisory and project-based work, supporting AFM's staff and leadership on employment law, policy development, and HR infrastructure. You'll be instrumental in building a compliant, equitable, and supportive workplace that aligns with AFM's values, while also handling sensitive disciplinary and grievance matters. The impact is twofold: you'll strengthen AFM's internal operations and help sustain its mission to protect abortion access.

A typical day

A typical day might involve reviewing and updating AFM's employee handbook, advising a manager on a disciplinary procedure, and researching salary benchmarks for a new role. You could also be on a call with AFM leadership to discuss upcoming employment law changes and how they impact the fund. The work is varied, remote, and deeply connected to supporting the people who make abortion access possible in Maryland.

Who Abortion Fund of Maryland is looking for

• Demonstrated experience providing HR consulting to small nonprofits or mission-driven organizations, ideally in reproductive health, justice, or advocacy spaces.
• Deep knowledge of federal and Maryland employment law, with the ability to provide proactive updates and practical guidance on compliance.
• Proven track record in developing and updating employee handbooks, HR policies, and employment contracts, with a focus on equity and inclusion.
• Strong facilitation and conflict resolution skills, with experience managing disciplinary and grievance procedures confidentially and fairly.

Tips for this application

• Tailor your proposal to explicitly address AFM's listed needs: ongoing HR support and ad-hoc project support, using their exact terminology to show you've read the RFP carefully.
• Highlight any prior experience with abortion funds, reproductive justice organizations, or other social justice nonprofits—this demonstrates cultural alignment and sector knowledge.
• Provide concrete examples of past projects: policy creation, salary benchmarking, or grievance management, with measurable outcomes where possible.
• Include a clear budget and timeline for 2026/2027, showing flexibility for scope extension, as AFM values transparency and planning.
• Mention your familiarity with Maryland-specific employment laws and any relevant certifications (e.g., SHRM, HRCI) to establish credibility.

What to cover in your cover letter

1. Your commitment to reproductive justice and how your HR expertise can support AFM's mission. 2. Specific examples of developing HR policies or managing employee relations in a nonprofit or mission-driven setting. 3. Your ability to provide both strategic project support and day-to-day HR advice remotely. 4. Your understanding of the unique HR challenges faced by small abortion funds, such as confidentiality, staff care, and legal compliance.

Research before applying

• Review AFM's website, annual reports, and any public materials to understand their mission, values, and current staff size/structure.
• Research Maryland employment laws, especially those related to reproductive health organizations, such as paid leave, accommodations, and whistleblower protections.
• Look into HR best practices for abortion funds and reproductive justice spaces, including trauma-informed management and security protocols.
• Explore AFM's recent advocacy or funding campaigns to understand their external pressures and how HR can support staff resilience.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you approach creating an employee handbook that reflects AFM's values around reproductive justice and equity?
• Can you describe a time you managed a sensitive disciplinary or grievance case? What was your process and outcome?
• What strategies would you use to stay updated on employment law changes and proactively inform AFM?
• How would you conduct salary benchmarking for a small nonprofit like AFM, ensuring competitiveness and internal equity?
• Describe your experience with remote HR consulting: how do you build trust and maintain confidentiality without in-person interaction?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a generic HR consulting proposal that doesn't address AFM's specific needs or reproductive justice context.
• Failing to demonstrate knowledge of Maryland employment law or nonprofit HR challenges.
• Overlooking the contract nature of the role and proposing a full-time employment arrangement or inflexible scope.