SENIOR POLICY ADVOCATE

Job Description

The Senior Policy Advocate (SPA)’s primary responsibility is to analyze USG policies, draft CARE policy positions and develop appropriate advocacy and implementation strategies related to global food and nutrition security (FNS). The SPA represents CARE to Congress, the Administration, non-governmental organization (NGO) coalitions and others as required. In coordination with relevant internal stakeholders, the SPA develops specific internal and external policy communications, drafts USG policy objectives and plays an active role in developing and implementing cross-departmental strategies (CDS), monitors and analyzes key legislation and regulations, and reports on progress to the organization. The SPA also provides support to the CARE Action Network in implementing CARE’s advocacy agenda and providing guidance and information about how CARE supporters around the country can help educate their Members of Congress. The SPA will also contribute to the overall success of CARE’s advocacy portfolio.

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Government Relations, the SPA is a key member of the Government Relations (GR) team that handles multiple development policy issues that impact millions of people in the developing world and ensure that CARE’s annual public policy priorities and advocacy agenda are accomplished vis-a-vis Congress and the administration. The SPA works in a fast-paced and collaborative environment within the Policy and Advocacy Department.

Responsibilities:

• Provide political analysis and develops advocacy strategies regarding US government FNS policies, legislations and initiatives
• Implements food and nutrition security advocacy initiatives
• External representation and coordination
• Internal representation and coordination
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• BA in Political Science / International Relations or related field or equivalent combination of education and work experience
• At least seven years’ experience in a relevant organization or government agency focused on food and nutrition security policy and advocacy
• Substantial experience working with Congress and U.S. government agencies
• Substantial experience in the design and implementation of policy advocacy interventions, especially in policy analysis, research and writing
• Deep knowledge of U.S. food and nutrition security policy and solid understanding of U.S. foreign assistance more generally
• Three to five years’ experience developing partnerships and building coalitions to advance organizational learning and program impact
• Proven ability to get things done in a complex, international organization
• Extensive background and knowledge of U.S. politics, the legislative process, the environment on Capitol Hill and related Executive branch departments
• Knowledge and understanding of issues surrounding food and nutrition security and international development assistance policy and programs as well as its accompanying budget and appropriations processes
• Sound technical understanding of food and nutrition security policies and field-based approaches
• Advanced written and interpersonal communication skills, particularly to convey information effectively and to write persuasively in a variety of styles for a variety of audiences
• Excellent data organizational skills including analysis and synthesis
• Sound computer knowledge and skills
• Visioning and strategic development skills
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate well with others and develop and maintain positive working relationships

About the Organization

CARE is an international NGO with local staff and community partners in more than 90 countries. We create local solutions to poverty and inequality and we seek dignity for everyone every day and during times of crisis. These solutions have a broad range, from clean water to access to education; from microfinance to ensuring that everyone has nutritious food; from agriculture and climate change to disaster response. CARE puts women and girls at the center of everything we do because they have proven to be the best hope for creating lasting change in the world. Our staff live where they work, which makes us effective at understanding the challenges they face. We’ve been doing this for over 70 years, since World War II. It started with the world’s first CARE Package® of food for the post-war hungry in Europe. Our work today is as important as ever, we believe that poverty and inequality are historic injustices that we can end within a generation, for good. If you share our core beliefs: poverty is an injustice; poverty is solvable; and together, we have the power to end it, join us.

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