Advocacy Associate

FWD.us•Washington, DC

3d•$65,000 - $72,000•Onsite

About The Position

FWD.us is a policy organization working to advance better and more politically resilient solutions on criminal justice and immigration. The Advocacy Associate is a full-time position based in FWD.us’s Washington, D.C. headquarters office and supports the organization’s immigration work. The role helps expand congressional engagement, monitor legislative developments, coordinate advocacy campaigns, and support strategic communications and stakeholder engagement. The Advocacy Associate contributes to the development, coordination, and execution of immigration advocacy and government relations priorities. Working across government relations, campaigns, communications, and external affairs, the position supports policy reform efforts, relationships with policymakers and advocacy partners, and initiatives that elevate the experiences of people and communities directly affected by the immigration system. The role also manages assigned projects and recurring workstreams, coordinates meetings and follow-up, and supports effective team operations. The application window closes November 22, 2026.

Requirements

2–5 years of relevant professional experience in government relations, public policy, advocacy, political campaigns, nonprofit organizations, or strategic communications; an equivalent combination of education and internships is considered.
Demonstrated understanding of the federal legislative process, congressional operations, public policy advocacy, or political engagement.
General knowledge of immigration policy and the U.S. immigration system, and the ability and commitment to deepen subject-matter expertise.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex information into clear, concise, audience-appropriate materials.
Demonstrated research, analytical, and critical-thinking skills.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and sustain effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
Excellent organizational and project coordination skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
High degree of accuracy, attention to detail, and commitment to quality.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism when handling sensitive or confidential information.
Demonstrated initiative, adaptability, problem-solving ability, and willingness to take ownership of assigned responsibilities.
Proficiency with standard workplace productivity tools, including document preparation, spreadsheets, presentations, and virtual collaboration platforms.
Strong commitment to FWD.us’s mission, values, and bipartisan approach to policy change.
Cultural awareness, empathy, and sensitivity when working with individuals and communities affected by immigration and criminal justice policies.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with congressional offices, federal policymakers, legislative staff, or government relations professionals.
Experience supporting immigration advocacy, legislative campaigns, coalition initiatives, or public affairs activities.
Familiarity with advocacy and communications platforms such as Quorum.
Experience with stakeholder relationship management, contact databases, media monitoring, or digital communications.
Experience coordinating public events, congressional briefings, fly-ins, press conferences, or advocacy mobilization activities.
Familiarity with project management tools and accountability frameworks, including MOCHA or comparable methodologies.
Experience supporting storytelling initiatives involving individuals directly impacted by public policy.

Responsibilities

Monitor congressional activity, legislative proposals, hearings, and political trends affecting immigration policy.
Conduct legislative and policy research, synthesize findings, and prepare summaries, briefing materials, talking points, and internal updates.
Support strategies to advance FWD.us’s federal immigration policy priorities.
Coordinate congressional meetings, including scheduling, preparing materials, briefing participants, tracking commitments, and following up.
Partner with the Federal Policy and Government Relations Director by providing congressional intelligence, stakeholder updates, and engagement recommendations.
Coordinate with external government relations consultants and lobbyists, including facilitating meetings, monitoring deliverables, and tracking next steps.
Maintain records of congressional engagement, policy developments, stakeholder interactions, and advocacy activities.
Support the planning, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of immigration advocacy campaigns.
Conduct background research and prepare written materials informing campaign priorities, policy positions, and advocacy strategies.
Coordinate across internal teams and external partners to maintain alignment with organizational objectives and timelines.
Support advocacy mobilization, including congressional fly-ins, legislative briefings, coalition activities, press conferences, and other engagement opportunities.
Identify operational challenges, elevate risks, and recommend solutions to improve campaign effectiveness.
Support outreach, recruitment, and ongoing engagement of directly impacted individuals participating in advocacy and storytelling initiatives.
Coordinate logistics for participants in congressional meetings, hearings, press conferences, fly-ins, interviews, and virtual or in-person events.
Prepare participants for advocacy engagements in collaboration with appropriate team members.
Use respectful, trauma-informed, and consent-centered practices when engaging directly impacted individuals, with attention to confidentiality and personal circumstances.
Help strengthen relationships with coalition partners, community advocates, national organizations, and other external stakeholders.
Draft, edit, and distribute advocacy communications, press materials, social media content, and campaign updates.
Create, update, and maintain media contact lists, stakeholder distribution lists, and influencer databases.
Assist with basic digital graphics, presentations, and social media materials that follow organizational messaging and brand standards.
Support interview scheduling, virtual events, and other communications logistics.
Manage assigned projects and recurring workstreams from initiation through completion, ensuring timely execution and accountability.
Coordinate meetings, prepare agendas and materials, document action items, and monitor follow-through.
Develop and improve standard operating procedures and administrative processes that strengthen coordination and operational effectiveness.
Represent FWD.us professionally with colleagues, external partners, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
Perform other related duties consistent with the scope and level of the position.