Deputy Director, Policy & Advocacy

Freedom House•Washington, DC

2d•$110,000 - $130,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Deputy Director of Policy and Advocacy reports to the Director of Policy and Advocacy and helps advance Freedom House’s policy priorities and advocacy agenda in support of democracy and human rights worldwide. The role works across the organization and with partners in the democracy and human rights community to strengthen Freedom House’s external policy and advocacy presence through coalition engagement, thought leadership and policy publications, public events, and participation in international convenings. It also helps formulate and refine policy positions using Freedom House research, regional and thematic expertise, and perspectives from frontline partners, then translates those positions into engagement with Congress, the executive branch, and foreign government officials. The role works across multiple geographic and thematic portfolios, with a particular focus on international religious freedom and additional issues including political prisoners, democratic resilience, accountability for human rights abuses, and transnational repression. It advances these priorities through bipartisan policy advocacy. The position is full-time and based in Washington, DC. The Policy and Advocacy team currently works in a hybrid format, with regular in-office days required. Essential functions are typically performed in an office setting or remotely. The role may require long hours, including evenings and weekends. Travel to some countries may be inadvisable or impossible because of high security risks. Freedom House is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization working to defend and expand freedom globally. It identifies and analyzes threats to freedom, mobilizes decision makers, and supports activists and organizations working to defend and expand freedom. Employees are expected to demonstrate a strong commitment to the organization’s mission and nonpartisanship, and to contribute to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in international affairs, political science, human rights, or a related field.
At least 9 years of directly relevant professional experience, including substantial hands-on policy or advocacy experience and a demonstrated ability to advance legislation, policy priorities, or advocacy agendas.
Experience working on human rights, democracy, or related foreign policy issues and advocating with U.S. and international policymakers.
Ability to research, analyze, and communicate complex policy issues, including experience producing policy memos, recommendations, testimony, legislative analysis, or other policy and advocacy writing.
Ability to build consensus and work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, civil society organizations, human rights defenders, and coalition partners.
Experience exercising sound strategic and political judgment, navigating sensitive policy environments, and building broad, bipartisan support around shared democracy and human rights priorities.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce persuasive materials and represent the organization in external meetings, briefings, and public settings.
Strong analytical skills and attention to detail, including the ability to distill complex information into concise summaries, recommendations, and talking points.
Ability to assess complex policy questions and recommend positions consistent with bipartisan, pragmatic, and principled advocacy.
Strong organizational and project-management skills; ability to manage multiple workstreams and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Initiative, ownership, sound judgment, and ability to move projects from idea to execution.
Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, including the ability to collaborate with colleagues and external partners, policymakers, funders, and other stakeholders.
Ability to exercise discretion, maintain confidentiality, and demonstrate integrity and professionalism.
Familiarity with social media and other digital platforms as tools for policy advocacy and external engagement.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to respond promptly to inquiries courteously and professionally.
Ability to work collaboratively with employees, management, external partners, and funders.
Authorization to work in the United States independent of Freedom House sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Previous experience working in the U.S. Congress.
Experience in relevant executive branch agencies, foreign legislatures or ministries, think tanks, or advocacy organizations.
Familiarity with Freedom House’s core issue areas.
Familiarity with Salesforce, KnowWho, Airtable, or similar advocacy, CRM, or project-management platforms.

Responsibilities

Deepen engagement with Congress and the executive branch through bipartisan advocacy, and identify and cultivate congressional and policy champions across priority issue areas.
Develop advocacy campaigns around key thematic and country priorities, particularly international religious freedom or belief.
Author and contribute to policy briefs, recommendations, congressional testimony, op-eds, talking points, letters, statements, and other advocacy and thought-leadership products.
Strengthen systems for tracking and documenting external policy engagement, including tools and processes for recording relationships, meetings, outreach, follow-up, and advocacy activity across the organization.
Develop and maintain relationships with civil society organizations, human rights defenders, policymakers, and other partners; identify opportunities for coalition-based advocacy.
Prepare human rights defenders and other frontline partners for meetings, hearings, briefings, public events, and other engagement with policymakers and influential audiences.
Strengthen Freedom House’s participation at major international conferences and policy convenings, including securing speaking and programming opportunities, developing side events, and coordinating substantive participation.
Organize and support Freedom House-led meetings, roundtables, briefings, and public events tied to advocacy priorities, and represent Freedom House in external engagements as appropriate.
Monitor policy, legislative, and political developments; recommend advocacy opportunities, policy positions, and timely interventions; and respond to requests from policymakers and partners for information and expertise.
Support major Freedom House events and initiatives, including the annual Freedom Awards and the Mark Palmer Prize, in coordination with senior leadership and colleagues.

Benefits

Medical insurance plans available on the first date of hire.
Dental insurance available on the first date of hire.
Vision insurance available on the first date of hire.
403(b) retirement plan with up to a 10% employer match.
Paid time off that increases with tenure, with 17, 21, or 25 days depending on years of employment; director level and above start at 25 days.
10 days of sick leave per year, with unlimited rollover.
14 paid holidays, with the ability to float a day later within the same calendar year.
8 weeks of paid caregiver leave.
5 days of paid bereavement leave.
30 days of paid jury duty leave.
Flexible, hybrid work culture.
Free gym at the DC office.
Flexible spending accounts.
Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
Supplemental or voluntary life insurance.
Employee assistance program.