DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
The Mercy Corps Policy and Advocacy Team supports Mercy Corps' global mission by fostering a policy environment that enables the success of Mercy Corps' field programs.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor will be responsible for advancing Mercy Corps' policy objectives on a range of key issues related to Mercy Corps' global and country-level priorities. This role will involve representation and advocacy toward the US Administration, Congress, and United National officials; development of reports, briefing papers, and opinion pieces; support to Mercy Corps' grassroots advocacy efforts; and liaison with Mercy Corps field and HQ teams.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Advance Mercy Corps Policy Objectives
• Manage a portfolio of policy issues (both country-based and thematic) for Mercy Corps. Work with Mercy Corps internal stakeholders to develop mission-relevant policy objectives that support global Mercy Corps priorities; priorities in specific regions or countries; and other priorities identified by the Policy and Advocacy team.
• Devise high-impact strategies to achieve those objectives, applying a full range of advocacy, education, and outreach tools. Maintain strong awareness of the policy context to ensure that strategies are tailored to relevant political opportunities and constraints.
• In cooperation with the Communications and Web teams, develop analytical and written products that advance Mercy Corps policy objectives. Products will encompass a variety of formats, including policy briefs, case studies, op-eds, blog posts, white papers, and talking points, etc. for use with various audiences, including policy makers, media, web visitors, and the general public
• Help to craft the agency's legislative advocacy strategies and, in cooperation with the Communications and Web teams, develop related messaging for grassroots audiences.
Issue Expertise
• Develop deep expertise on Mercy Corps' priority policy issues through original research and analysis, key informant interviews, literature review, etc.
• Develop strong relationships with Mercy Corps field teams; build understanding of specific country programs and track developments in key countries.
• Conduct research visits to key Mercy Corps field programs several times per year. Understand and adapt to the cultural, political and religious environment in field visits.
• Track legislative developments on Capitol Hill and monitor relevant legislative initiatives from colleague agencies, Interaction, advocacy organizations and coalitions, and think tanks.
• Network with thought leaders on priority issues to stay abreast of new trends and developments.
External Representation
• Build effective, credible relationships key Administration contacts, including USAID, State Department, and White House officials.
• Build effective, credible relationships with key Congressional contacts, including Members and staff from Foreign Relations /Foreign Affairs and Appropriations Committees; key caucuses; and Pacific Northwest and New England delegations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with key external partners, including NGO colleagues, think tanks, and academic institutions.
• Represent Mercy Corps in collective advocacy efforts through Interaction, MFAN, USGLC, and other coalitions.
• When appropriate, and in coordination with the relevant country team leader, represent the agency in dealings with the media.
Team Support
• Provide policy analysis to Mercy Corps leadership and field teams to ensure that broad agency decision-making reflects an accurate understanding of the policy context.
• Contribute to Mercy Corps' external contacts database, archive correspondence and records of meetings.
• Other duties as assigned by the Supervisor.
Organizational Learning:
As part of Mercy Corps' agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities.
Accountability to Beneficiaries:
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None
ACCOUNTABILITY:
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Director of Policy and Advocacy
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Washington DC office staff, Communications Team, Web Team, Regional and Country Teams, Technical Support Unit.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
• Master's degree in relevant field (international development, international relations, public policy, etc.) preferred.
• 7 to 10 years relevant experience in the public policy and international development arenas. Experience with relief and development fieldwork strongly preferred. Experience with the US Administration or Congress, and/or development-related advocacy also highly valued.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in humanitarian and/or development sectors required.
• Specific experience working in or on Mercy Corps priority countries (including Haiti, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Horn of Africa, Sudan, and the Middle East), or priority issues (including aid reform, youth, the foreign assistance budget, food security , and the relationship between aid and national security) preferred.
• Proven ability in researching, analyzing, and reporting on foreign assistance issues. Strong analytical skills and the ability to effectively gather and summarize large amounts of information from various sources.
• Strong political and strategic skills, with a demonstrated ability to effectively advance policy priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Demonstrated sensitivity, skill and experience in working diplomatically and effectively within different cultural settings and in public relations and correspondence with a wide variety of public constituents.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with colleagues, peer groups, officials and stake-holders, and motivation to seek out and establish new relationships.
• Strong and strategic understanding of policy dynamics.
• Ability to effectively summarize complex information into clear, concise talking points of briefing papers
• A clear understanding of Mercy Corps' mission and collaborative style of operation.
• Ability to work simultaneously on multiple tasks in a fast paced, sometimes stressful environment and meet deadlines under those conditions.
• Ability to work as part of a team and coordinate with both HQ and country team personnel.
• Computer literate with strong organizational skills.
• Ability to operate with a significant degree of autonomy within agreed upon parameters.
• Flexibility and sense of humor.
LIVING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
This position is based in Washington, DC with the potential for international travel of up to 25%. Travel may be to insecure and/or austere locations.
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Staff are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws , customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Mercy Corps is an AA/EOE
How to apply:
Apply online at our website:
http://mercycorps.silkroad.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjo...
Closing Date: Sunday, 08 January 2012
The Mercy Corps Policy and Advocacy Team supports Mercy Corps' global mission by fostering a policy environment that enables the success of Mercy Corps' field programs.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor will be responsible for advancing Mercy Corps' policy objectives on a range of key issues related to Mercy Corps' global and country-level priorities. This role will involve representation and advocacy toward the US Administration, Congress, and United National officials; development of reports, briefing papers, and opinion pieces; support to Mercy Corps' grassroots advocacy efforts; and liaison with Mercy Corps field and HQ teams.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Advance Mercy Corps Policy Objectives
• Manage a portfolio of policy issues (both country-based and thematic) for Mercy Corps. Work with Mercy Corps internal stakeholders to develop mission-relevant policy objectives that support global Mercy Corps priorities; priorities in specific regions or countries; and other priorities identified by the Policy and Advocacy team.
• Devise high-impact strategies to achieve those objectives, applying a full range of advocacy, education, and outreach tools. Maintain strong awareness of the policy context to ensure that strategies are tailored to relevant political opportunities and constraints.
• In cooperation with the Communications and Web teams, develop analytical and written products that advance Mercy Corps policy objectives. Products will encompass a variety of formats, including policy briefs, case studies, op-eds, blog posts, white papers, and talking points, etc. for use with various audiences, including policy makers, media, web visitors, and the general public
• Help to craft the agency's legislative advocacy strategies and, in cooperation with the Communications and Web teams, develop related messaging for grassroots audiences.
Issue Expertise
• Develop deep expertise on Mercy Corps' priority policy issues through original research and analysis, key informant interviews, literature review, etc.
• Develop strong relationships with Mercy Corps field teams; build understanding of specific country programs and track developments in key countries.
• Conduct research visits to key Mercy Corps field programs several times per year. Understand and adapt to the cultural, political and religious environment in field visits.
• Track legislative developments on Capitol Hill and monitor relevant legislative initiatives from colleague agencies, Interaction, advocacy organizations and coalitions, and think tanks.
• Network with thought leaders on priority issues to stay abreast of new trends and developments.
External Representation
• Build effective, credible relationships key Administration contacts, including USAID, State Department, and White House officials.
• Build effective, credible relationships with key Congressional contacts, including Members and staff from Foreign Relations /Foreign Affairs and Appropriations Committees; key caucuses; and Pacific Northwest and New England delegations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with key external partners, including NGO colleagues, think tanks, and academic institutions.
• Represent Mercy Corps in collective advocacy efforts through Interaction, MFAN, USGLC, and other coalitions.
• When appropriate, and in coordination with the relevant country team leader, represent the agency in dealings with the media.
Team Support
• Provide policy analysis to Mercy Corps leadership and field teams to ensure that broad agency decision-making reflects an accurate understanding of the policy context.
• Contribute to Mercy Corps' external contacts database, archive correspondence and records of meetings.
• Other duties as assigned by the Supervisor.
Organizational Learning:
As part of Mercy Corps' agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities.
Accountability to Beneficiaries:
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None
ACCOUNTABILITY:
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Director of Policy and Advocacy
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Washington DC office staff, Communications Team, Web Team, Regional and Country Teams, Technical Support Unit.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
• Master's degree in relevant field (international development, international relations, public policy, etc.) preferred.
• 7 to 10 years relevant experience in the public policy and international development arenas. Experience with relief and development fieldwork strongly preferred. Experience with the US Administration or Congress, and/or development-related advocacy also highly valued.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in humanitarian and/or development sectors required.
• Specific experience working in or on Mercy Corps priority countries (including Haiti, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Horn of Africa, Sudan, and the Middle East), or priority issues (including aid reform, youth, the foreign assistance budget, food security , and the relationship between aid and national security) preferred.
• Proven ability in researching, analyzing, and reporting on foreign assistance issues. Strong analytical skills and the ability to effectively gather and summarize large amounts of information from various sources.
• Strong political and strategic skills, with a demonstrated ability to effectively advance policy priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Demonstrated sensitivity, skill and experience in working diplomatically and effectively within different cultural settings and in public relations and correspondence with a wide variety of public constituents.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with colleagues, peer groups, officials and stake-holders, and motivation to seek out and establish new relationships.
• Strong and strategic understanding of policy dynamics.
• Ability to effectively summarize complex information into clear, concise talking points of briefing papers
• A clear understanding of Mercy Corps' mission and collaborative style of operation.
• Ability to work simultaneously on multiple tasks in a fast paced, sometimes stressful environment and meet deadlines under those conditions.
• Ability to work as part of a team and coordinate with both HQ and country team personnel.
• Computer literate with strong organizational skills.
• Ability to operate with a significant degree of autonomy within agreed upon parameters.
• Flexibility and sense of humor.
LIVING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
This position is based in Washington, DC with the potential for international travel of up to 25%. Travel may be to insecure and/or austere locations.
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Staff are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws , customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Mercy Corps is an AA/EOE
How to apply:
Apply online at our website:
http://mercycorps.silkroad.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjo...
Closing Date: Sunday, 08 January 2012
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