Policy and Advocacy Advisor

Job Summary

The Policy and Advocacy Advisor at FHI 360 is a dynamic and experienced professional responsible for coordinating the policy comment process, managing advocacy projects, and contributing to the development and implementation of the organization’s global advocacy strategy. This role requires extensive experience and deep knowledge in policy and advocacy work, the ability to develop complex models and solutions, and a strong understanding of different disciplines. The Policy and Advocacy Advisor guides policies, handles intricate issues, devises methods for new tasks, and adapts communication styles for a broad audience. They also advise on complex matters and lead others, using strong interpersonal skills to collaborate with diverse teams and build alliances and coalitions addressing global health, nutrition, humanitarian response, climate, and other international development issues. Additionally, the advisor will report to the Director, Policy & Advocacy, support the development and implementation of FHI 360’s advocacy objectives and initiatives, maintain a strategic overview of legislative issues, ensure active engagement on key issues, and build, develop, and grow partnerships across the organization. 

RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

Complexity & Problem Solving: 

• Contributes to global advocacy strategy implementation to support our global foreign assistance and policy priorities, including increased investments and more effective policies. 

• Manages the USG policy and rulemaking comment process. 

• Conducts advocacy for increased foreign assistance and better policies from program design and implementation. 

• Represents FHI 360 at various policy forums and advocacy opportunities at national and international levels, as directed. 

• Supports FHI 360 leadership to articulate organizational advocacy issues or influence objectives. 

• Supports advocacy communications to ensure delivery of high-quality communications and documentation. 

• Demonstrates strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills in strategizing, planning, and managing resources for successful completion of projects. 

• Involves understanding and working on complex issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors, determining methods and procedures on new assignments, and exercising judgment in selecting methods, evaluating, and adapting complex techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results. 

Expertise & Influence: 

• Strong consultative and negotiation skills. 

• Ability to motivate, influence, and collaborate with others. 

• With a minimum of 8 years of experience in public policy and advocacy communication, the Policy and Advocacy Advisor operates with a high level of autonomy and plays a crucial role in influencing organizational advocacy issues and objectives. 

• Contributes to stakeholder engagement, represents FHI 360 at policy forums, and supports leadership in articulating organizational advocacy issues. 

• Significantly impacts projects, organizational outcomes, and stakeholders by leveraging their expertise to guide decision-making within their area of expertise. 

Collaboration & Interaction: 

• Establishes and maintains contacts with Members of Congress, relevant staff, and key federal officials through joint letters, policy briefs, legislative proposals, Hill outreach, scheduling, and attending joint meetings. 

• Works closely with knowledge management, research and evidence, and program teams to build systems for research, analysis, and documentation that underpin an evidence-based advocacy and influence agenda. 

• Close collaboration with the broader Impact Office, including the Change Management and Project Management offices, DEI, and other OCEO teams, on strategic priorities. 

• Develops dissemination and communication strategies for key advocacy messages, in coordination with the external communications team. 

• Produces and/or manages the production of reports, briefing papers, and presentations for internal and external audiences, as needed. 

• Adapts communication style and uses persuasion in delivering messages that relate to the wider firm business, frequently advising others on complex matters, and is accountable through the team for the delivery of tactical business targets. 

• Interacts with various career levels, including senior leaders, and engages with cross-functional teams. 

Task Management & Efficiency: 

• Develops in-depth knowledge of quality standards through a formalized system that documents processes, procedures, and responsibilities for achieving quality policies and objectives. 

• Coordinates and directs activities to meet organizational and regulatory requirements. 

• Builds the capacity of junior staff and interns. 

• Manages competing demands, motivates, and collaborates with others, ensuring the development of global policy and advocacy communications plans. 

• Produces high-quality reports, briefing papers, and presentations for internal and external audiences, contributing to evidence-based advocacy and influence agendas. 

• Supports work quality and efficiency, effectively distributing and managing resources, involvement in process improvement, and collaboration with peers and teams to achieve project or task goals. 

• Embrace other duties as assigned, contributing to the team’s multifaceted and evolving responsibilities. 

QUALIFICATIONS :

Knowledge & Skills: 

• Experience with policy and advocacy work. 

• Strong interpersonal skills and experience working with diverse teams. 

• Experience building alliances and coalitions addressing global health, nutrition, humanitarian response, climate, and other international development issues. 

• Familiarity with the U.S. budget and appropriations process; USAID (US Agency for International Development), State Department, Development Finance Corporation, and/or other relevant U.S. Government agencies. 

• Excellent working knowledge of computer software, MS Office, including data management systems. 

• Ability to manage and prioritize competing demands. 

• Ability to present clear ideas and arguments. 

• Flexible, adaptable, curious, dynamic, and enthusiastic team builder. 

• Ability to provide and receive feedback. 

• Proactive and takes initiative. 

• Exceptional written and spoken English. 

• Ability to work independently and manage sensitive work. 

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work closely with and provide support to executive staff. 

• Highly responsive to internal and external requests. 

• Knowledge and experience in communications related to international public health and/or development. 

• Sensitive to cultural differences and the political and ethical issues associated with international health and development work. 

• Advanced wide-ranging experience using in-depth professional knowledge, acumen, concepts, and company objectives to develop and resolve complex models and procedures, providing solutions to issues in creative and effective ways. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Policy, International Relations, Political Science, Communications, or a related field. 

• Minimum of 8 years related experience in public policy and advocacy,; or 5 years with a master’s degree; or 2 years with a PhD; or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience to perform job responsibilities effectively. 

• Professional demeanor and able to communicate in a clear, positive manner with clients and FHI 360 senior executives. 

• Exceptional written skills and a proven ability to translate technical content into compelling communication materials for policy audiences. 

• Must be able to read, write and speak fluent English. 

• Prior experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO). 

• Experience working with Capitol Hill and/or development government agencies. 

• A demonstrated ability to cultivate strong relationships with congressional staff, U.S. Government stakeholders, partner organizations, and media. 

• Experience working with diverse, global coalitions. 

• Experience engaging with philanthropic donors. 

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer. 

• Ability to travel internationally and domestically, as needed. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Advanced degree (e.g., Master’s or Doctorate) in Public Policy, International Relations, Political Science, Communications, or a related field. 

• We welcome candidates with additional relevant certifications or their international equivalents. 

TRAVEL:

Travel requirements may vary but could involve up to 10%, depending on the needs of the role. 

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Typical office environment. Constantly uses a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer. Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time. 

TECHNOLOGY:

Computer/Laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e., Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment. 

The expected US Based hiring salary range for this role is listed below. Candidate FHI 360 pay ranges represent national averages that vary by geographic location. When determining an offer amount, FHI 360 factors in multiple considerations, including but not limited to: relevant years of experience and education possessed by the applicant, internal equity, business sector, and budget. 

Base salary is only one component of our offer. FHI 360 contributes 12% of monthly base pay to a money purchase pension plan account. Additionally, all US based staff working full-time, which is calculated at 40 hours/week, receive 18 days of paid vacation per year, 12 sick days per year, and 11 holidays per year. Paid time off is reduced pro rata for employees working less than a full-time schedule.

US Based Hiring Salary Range: $110,000 - $150,000

International hiring ranges will differ based on location.

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant’s tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

FHI 360 will never ask you for your career site username or password, and we will never request money, goods or services during the application, recruitment or employment  process. If you have questions or concerns about correspondence from us, please email CareerCenterSupport@fhi360.org.

FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others — and yourself.

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