Public Affairs and Government Specialist - Domestic Policy - Islamic Relief USA

Job Title:   Public Affairs and Government Specialist - Domestic Policy
Status:       Full-time
Division:    Public Affairs Department
Location:   Alexandria, VA

The Public Affairs and Government Specialist will be responsible for supporting DC centric public engagement and advocacy efforts of the Department of Public Affairs. The overall focus of the Department’s work is to promote Islamic Relief’s advocacy priorities among domestic government entities, strengthen IRUSA’s relationships with peer NGOs and advocacy coalitions, and to protect IRUSA’s reputation with various stakeholders. The candidate must show commitment to IRUSA’s faith inspired values and principles as well as a commitment to the vision and mission of the organization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Public Affairs

• Assist in the Public Affairs Department’s representation of Islamic Relief USA’s mission, programs, and advocacy priorities, to Congressional offices, Executive Departments, and state/local government officials.
• Assist the Manager in planning and implementing a yearly advocacy strategy to engage strategically selected Members of Congress, multilateral stakeholder and state/local officials.
• Track and engage selected congressional legislation relevant to IRUSA domestic legislative and policy priorities (i.e. poverty reduction, food security, refugee resettlement, climate change, gender-based violence).
• Regional research and data collection on issues related to IRUSA’s domestic policies.
• Work with IRUSA’s US Programs Department to identify any US based grantees, or program partners that might be relevant to engagement with various government officials and lead those efforts.
• Maintain and update a contacts database of Congressional staff, government officials, coalition chairs & members, NGO staff and interfaith leaders etc.
• Prepare briefing folder/ materials for engagement meetings with government officials.
• Attend advocacy and coalition meetings and draft summary memos.
• Support on organizing some of our seasonal events inviting these stakeholders including Ramadan activities on Capitol Hill and the annual Partnership Gala
• Help identify and recruit and supervise interns interested in the domestic policy space
• Other public affairs tasks assigned.

Outreach

• Attend and participate in city, community and networking events; charity and volunteer service events; and donation and sponsorship events.
• Schedule advocacy meetings with Congressional offices, NGOs, beneficiaries and interfaith stakeholders
• Assist with planning and coordination of regional congressional engagement.
• Attend regional Congressional meetings relevant to IRUSA domestic policy priorities, and draft summary memos for Manager’s review.
• Analyze and track effectiveness of all outreach activities.
• Other outreach tasks as assigned.

Qualifications and Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy or Political Science preferred; Master’s degree a plus.
• Minimum of 3-5 year’s work experience in domestic policy advocacy, public affairs, government relations, or communications.
• Prior Capitol Hill employment or internship experience, a plus.
• Understanding of regional government, politics and press.
• Able to handle a fast-paced work setting with diplomacy and composure.
• Ability to independently handle multiple, simultaneous, varied assignments and meet tight deadlines, while providing a consistent level of quality and accuracy.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and maintain a good driving record.
• Possess basic understanding of the Congressional legislative calendar
• General awareness of the leading domestic social services organizations, multilateral organizations, and advocacy organizations.
• Strong communications skills, including writing, public speaking, and social media.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to engage with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, NGO representatives, and interfaith leaders.
• Ability to attend frequent off-site and regional meetings, after business hours’ events or weekends.
• Confident and proficient user of MS Office and various social media platforms.
• Highly organized and self-directed.
• Must be available to travel.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States.

 At Islamic Relief USA we are committed to safeguarding and protecting all individuals we come into contact with through our work. IRUSA representatives must adhere to its organizational values: Sincerity, Excellence, Compassion, Social Justice, and Custodianship. In accordance with these values, IRUSA operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Code of Ethics, and Anti-Harassment and Discrimination.