Advocacy & Government Affairs Advisor - Islamic Relief USA

JOB                      Advocacy & Government Affairs Advisor

STATUS:              Full-time                                                       

DEPARTMENT:    Public Affairs, Research, and Advocacy (PARA)

LOCATION:          Alexandria, VA

The Advocacy & Government Affairs Advisor will be responsible for supporting the public engagement and advocacy efforts of the Public Affairs, Research, and Advocacy (PARA) Department, with a regional focus on Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. The objective of the Department’s work is to promote Islamic Relief’s advocacy priorities among US government and international multilateral organizations, strengthen IRUSA’s collaboration with peer NGOs and advocacy coalitions, and to protect IRUSA’s reputation with various stakeholders.  The Advisor will report directly to the International Affairs Manager of the PARA Department and focus on international issues with a focus on, but not limited to Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. The candidate will demonstrate a 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: 

• Assist in the representation of Islamic Relief USA’s mission, programs, and advocacy priorities to external stakeholders;
• Assist the PARA team in advising the Executive Team’s development of policies and program priorities;
• Assist the PARA team in planning and implementing a yearly advocacy strategy to engage select Members of Congress, Executive Department officials, Embassy officials, and multilateral stakeholders;
• Monitor the activities of congressional committees relevant to IRUSA’s international programs and priorities (i.e. Appropriations, Budget, and Foreign Affairs);
• Track Congressional legislation relevant to IRUSA’s international policy priorities (i.e. poverty focused development assistance, food security, forced migration, displacement and refugee resettlement, climate change, women’s protection and empowerment, etc.).
• Schedule advocacy meetings, and maintain relationships with select Members of Congress and staff on congressional committees of interests;
• Monitor, evaluate, and maintain copies of advocacy materials and letters generated by advocacy coalitions that IRUSA adds its name to;
• Track and document all work hours focused on congressional lobbying activities;
• Attend congressional hearings and Capitol Hill briefings relevant to IRUSA’s international policy priorities, and draft summary memos.
• Monitor the policy activities and messaging of Executive Departments relevant to IRUSA’s international programs and priorities (i.e. White House, State Department, USAID, Treasury Department, etc.)
• Schedule annual engagement meetings, and maintain relationships with Administration officials in relevant executive departments and agencies;
• Monitor relevant Treasury Department country sanctions regimes and related licensing for NGO operations and engage relevant officials when necessary;
• Develop relations with and schedule engagement meetings with select Embassies determined by PARA management, IRUSA Executives, and the International Programs team;
• Represent IRUSA at briefings and social events hosted by Embassies;
• Represent IRUSA at various conferences and NGO convenings;
• Represent IRUSA’s interests at various advocacy coalition meetings focused on international issues, and draft summary memos.
• Participate in periodic Capitol Hill advocacy day events organized by coalitions;
• Support the team in the monitoring of and engagement with international multilateral organizations (i.e. United Nations, World Bank, African Union, etc.);
• Represent IRUSA at events hosted by international multilateral organizations in Washington, DC, and New York City (i.e. UN General Assembly; World Bank Annual Meeting, etc.);
• Work with IRUSA’s International Programs Department to identify programs or program partners that might be relevant to engagement with various government officials.
• Research and draft memos, policy briefs, and talking points on issues related to IRUSA’s policy priorities;
• Work with the Marketing Department to produce materials required for engagement and advocacy for national and international stakeholders;
• Assist with follow up on any request directed to the PARA Department originating from Congressional offices, government offices, NGO partners, Embassies, and others;
• Assist with planning and coordination of team events, briefings, receptions and dinners held in Washington, DC. and New York City.
• Maintain and update a contacts database of congressional staff, government officials, NGO staff and leadership, Embassy staff, interfaith leaders etc.;
• Utilize IRUSA social media accounts to promote activities and events in real time;
• Work with the Marketing Department to write articles and blogs for external audiences.
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications and Competencies: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, International Relations, Development Studies or Political Science preferred; Graduate degree a plus.
• Minimum of three years’ work experience in international policy advocacy, public affairs, government relations, or communications. Completion of a relevant graduate program will be counted as one year of work experience.
• Demonstrated interests/competence with one or more of the following issues: poverty focused development assistance, food security, forced migration, displacement and refugees, climate change, women’s protection and empowerment, preferred.
• Possess awareness of the congressional legislative calendar and understanding of the annual budget & appropriations process, preferred.
• Prior congressional experience a plus.
• Able to handle a fast-paced work setting with diplomacy and composure.
• General awareness of the leading international humanitarian organizations, think tanks, multilateral organizations, and advocacy organizations.
• Strong communications skills, including writing, public speaking, and social media.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, NGO representatives, and faith leaders.
• Ability to attend frequent off-site meetings, after business hour events and/or weekends.
• Confident and proficient user of Google Suite and MS Office.
• Highly organized and self-directed.
• Able to travel internationally with a valid passport. Possible travel to visit and collect beneficiary data/narratives at Islamic Relief field programs that will support DC-based advocacy activities.
• 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.