Director of Policy & Advocacy

Internews seeks a Director of Policy and Advocacy to lead its efforts to educate policymakers and mobilise powerful coalitions to advance the organisation’s mission: ensuring that everyone has trustworthy news and information to make informed decisions and hold power to account.

The Director of Policy and Advocacy will work with Internews’ CEO and senior leadership to set policy and advocacy priorities and work closely with internal and external stakeholders to advance them.

The Director of Policy and Advocacy will create and maintain strong bipartisan relationships on Capitol Hill and within the Administration, closely track legislative developments, and educate policymakers on key issues as necessary.

Responsibilities

Government Relations

• Lead all aspects of Internews’ engagement with US-based policymakers.
• Create and maintain bipartisan, bicameral member and staff relationships relevant to Internews’s work.
• Develop and maintain principal and staff relationships throughout the executive branch, namely at the State Department and USAID.
• Keep a close eye on Capitol Hill regarding relevant legislation, committee and subcommittee markups, and hearings. Alert and advise Internews leadership when action is needed.
• Lead policymaker education efforts on matters that may impact the work of the organization.
• Arrange Hill briefings for Internews staff, including leadership, technical leads, and country directors visiting Washington DC.

Coalition Engagement and Reputation Management

• Serve as the primary Internews representative in Washington DC policy and foreign affairs circles. Represent Internews in various coalitions focused on international development, including organisations such as U.S. Global Leadership Coalition.
• Actively engage with an ad-hoc group of leading democracy and human rights NGOs that have common cause in advocating these issues on the Hill and within the Administration.
• Work closely with colleagues on the External Affairs team to manage Internews’ reputation in Washington, DC and beyond.

Policy Development and Promotion

• Develop a vision for and build Internews’ in-house policy practice, institutionalising the approach throughout the organisation.
• Lead policy development for Internews, meeting regularly with the Internews CEO and senior leadership to set priorities and identify emerging issues.
• Engage with various country and technical teams to understand the nuances of media and information issues on key countries where we work, so that you can effectively educate policymakers on behalf of the people we serve.
• Advise on matters related to foreign affairs policy in Europe, where Internews has a robust presence.

Values and Flexibility

• In all duties, uphold Internews’ Core Values and demonstrate commitment to fostering a culture of belonging.

Required qualifications

• University degree or equivalent lived/professional experience.
• 12+ years of progressively senior experience in an advocacy-related field, including at least 5 years of experience educating Members of Congress or staff on policy issues.
• A network of contacts on Capitol Hill; experience with foreign affairs appropriators or authorizers is a major plus.
• Knowledge of foreign relations/aid policy and players is required.
• Experience working in coalitions to advance common legislative agendas; direct experience with coalition management is a plus.
• Experience with or contacts in the US State Department or USAID are a plus.
• Excellent communication skills in English: speaking, presenting, writing, and listening.
• Ability to work both independently and as an effective team member.

How to apply

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. To learn more and apply, please click here.