Policy Specialist

Policy Specialist

World Relief Corp

Washington, D.C., United States

Are you a person of compassion? An advocate for justice? Someone who stands up for the rights of the vulnerable and speaks out for the marginalized, the exploited and the forgotten? Do you believe in our calling as Christians to welcome the least of these and love our neighbor?

POSITION SUMMARY:

World Relief is hiring a Policy Specialist to play a critical role in shaping and implementing policies related to our international development, humanitarian, refugee and immigration programs. This individual will work on our advocacy team and with governmental leaders and partner organizations in Washington, D.C.

ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES:

This person will serve as one of World Relief’s D.C.-based representative on public policy concerns, helping to both shape and represent World Relief’s positions on policies that impact the vulnerable communities that we serve around the world. This person will work closely with World Relief’s Vice President for Policy and Advocacy and World Relief’s Director of Government Relations to represent World Relief both with governmental leaders and in media. They should have or be willing to acquire expertise on policy issues related to foreign assistance programs, in particular.

Specific responsibilities include to:

• Build and sustain relationships with leaders in Congress and the administration and their staffs, representing World Relief’s policy positions in a biblically-guided, non-partisan way;
• Work with World Relief’s international and U.S. programs, marketing and strategic engagement teams to ensure close coordination across different divisions of the organization;
• Research, analyze, and monitor domestic and international policies, regulations, and trends affecting World Relief's programs and beneficiaries;
• Serve as a primary lead on policy issues affecting the vulnerable populations served by World Relief internationally – at present, in various countries within Africa as well as Haiti and Ukraine;
• Support the World Relief government relations team on policy issues related to refugee resettlement, immigration policy and other issues impacting the populations served by World Relief within the United States;
• Play a support role in pursuing and responding to media and public relations opportunities, including helping to support World Relief staff to respond to media inquiries and responding directly on issues of expertise regarding international programs and policy;
• Writing and speaking on policy issues of expertise, including for audiences that include governmental leaders and church leaders and congregant members;
• Assist in internal systems development to strengthen the advocacy team’s efficiency;
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Government Relations.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Mature and personal Christian faith;
• Committed to the mission, vision, and values of World Relief;
• Desire to serve and empower the Church to impact vulnerable communities;
• Able to affirm and/or acknowledge World Reliefs Core Beliefs, Statement of Faith, Christian Identity and National Evangelicals For the Health of The Nation document;
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in public policy, international relations, international development, or a related field preferred;
• Must be able to work independently and with limited supervision in a fast-moving environment;
• Must be passionate about seeking just, compassionate refugee, immigration and foreign assistance policies aligned with World Relief’s longstanding advocacy positions;
• Must be able to winsomely interact with an ethnically and denominationally diverse range of evangelical Christians as well as with media and elected officials;
• Up to 25% domestic and/or international travel required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 3 or more years’ experience in public policy, international development, humanitarian assistance, government service, and/or policy advocacy strongly preferred;
• Strong understanding of U.S. government structures and processes, with demonstrated experience or familiarity in engaging both Congress and the Executive Branch on policy advocacy;
• Strong understanding of global development issues, including migration and refugee issues, poverty alleviation, humanitarian aid, etc.;
• Proven ability to build and maintain strategic relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including policymakers, partner organizations, and faith-based leaders;
• Experience with biblical/theological studies and/or direct service to refugees/immigrants preferred;
• Strong writing and oral communication abilities in English;
• Candidate will work remotely from the Washington, D.C. area;
• Preference for applicants who have personal lived experience with migration and/or issues impacting vulnerable communities internationally.

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