Director, Government Relations

AMERICAN COUNCIL FOR VOL INTL ACTION•Washington, DC

11h•$125,000 - $150,000•Hybrid

About The Position

InterAction is the largest U.S.-based alliance of international non-government organizations (NGOs) and partners. We mobilize our Members to think and act collectively to serve the world’s poor and vulnerable, with a shared belief that we can make the world a more peaceful, just and prosperous place – together. Using our collective voice and convening power, we seek to shape important policy decisions and actions across a wide range of issues – including foreign assistance, humanitarian relief, development, economic equity, food security, and climate change. Our Members are premier international global development, humanitarian, and sector-supporting organizations that work in almost every country and manage more than $15.4 billion in programs annually. InterAction’s revenue comes from dues, government, private foundation and corporate grants, and fee-for-service programs. Additional information can be found at www.interaction.org. InterAction seeks a dynamic, experienced senior professional to join as a leader on our policy and government relations team, leading our foreign assistance budget and appropriations portfolio, among other priorities. We are looking for someone who believes in the power of advocacy to shape a more peaceful and prosperous world and who knows how to build and maintain bipartisan coalitions. This position plays a leadership role in the InterAction community by providing regular analysis to the coalition, developing and executing advocacy strategies, and fostering learning on appropriations and congressional advocacy among InterAction members. The prospective candidate will be expected to lead InterAction’s Public Policy Committee Steering Committee and Budget and Appropriations Subcommittee, provide written and oral budget analysis, manage InterAction’s government relations strategy, facilitate information sharing, and represent the interests of InterAction to key agencies within the Administration and relevant Congressional staff and committees. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of how U.S. development and humanitarian foreign assistance budgets are created and why they matter to the American people, as well as experience in developing and executing strategies to achieve policy objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and/or work experience commensurate in relevant field
At least 8 years of work experience, which should include direct experience on Capitol Hill, in the Administration, or conducting foreign affairs advocacy toward the Federal government
Experience tracking and analyzing legislation
Facilitation and coalition-building experience, including building and maintaining networks, synthesizing and navigating multiple points of view, and uniting a diverse group of members around common goals
Demonstrated experience with federal budget and appropriations processes, including strong understanding of the State and Foreign Operations/NSRP funding bill
Demonstrated experience with project management, including: developing workplans; managing and executing multiple concurrent efforts; and effectively managing data, communication, and work products across multiple platforms
Acute attention to detail, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and excellent oral and written communication skills
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with InterAction members, partners, and other external stakeholders
Ability to work well and contribute effectively under pressure, and in response to rapidly changing needs
Excellent organizational skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
Commitment to, and genuine interest in, InterAction’s core values and mission

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree and/or work experience commensurate in relevant field
At least 10 years of relevant work experience
At least 3 years of management experience
Multiple years of direct experience with federal budget and appropriations processes, specifically with development and humanitarian foreign assistance related accounts; prior experience working with or on an appropriations committee or federal budget office preferred
Experience leading working groups of coalitions
Experience working with or for international non-governmental organizations
Experience working directly on global development related issues, with a preference for candidates with expertise in Global Health

Responsibilities

Serve as a senior member of InterAction’s policy and government relations team and contribute to overall advocacy planning and direction
Develop and execute collective advocacy strategies, organize relevant educational briefings and advocacy meetings, coordinate sign-on letters and outreach to key policymakers
Create and disseminate InterAction budget analysis to InterAction’s Public Policy Committee System (PPCS). Budget analysis functions include: tracking historic data for the accounts and subaccounts that support humanitarian and development work, reviewing and providing context on the President’s Budget Request, providing updates on the appropriations process, etc.
Lead and Facilitate the PPC Steering Committee and Budget and Appropriations Subcommittee, and provide strategic guidance to InterAction’s broader membership
Manage the development, execution, and roll out of InterAction’s annual budget publications and other policy documents, including documents related to key foreign assistance accounts or sectors
Identify gaps in community understanding of US foreign assistance funding and the federal budget process and develop education materials, training and/or workshops
Build and maintain strategic relationships with relevant federal agencies and departments, including the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of State, and the National Security Council
Build and maintain relationships with key Congressional committee staff and strategic external partners
Coordinate among team members to drive government relations and policy objectives and ensure organizational and InterAction Member priorities are met
Manage external consultants
Represent InterAction in public events
Administrative and other duties as assigned