Policy Associate

The New Foreign Assistance•Washington, DC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The New Foreign Assistance is a conservative aid reform advocacy group focused on building a more effective American foreign assistance system after the end of USAID. It supports private-sector-led development, cost-effectiveness, flexible procurement, government accountability, simpler program design and procurement, and commercial diplomacy. The organization works with Congress and the State Department to advance its goals through policy and practice. The Policy Associate will work with the Executive Director, Chief of Staff, and VP of Policy Innovation to develop and expand initiatives, translating ideas into white papers, State Department programs, and legislative proposals. The role also supports internal operations, including board preparation and event logistics. The position offers direct work with senior staff, participation in meetings with congressional offices and State Department officials, and early ownership of projects. The position is based in Washington, D.C., with in-person work expected several times per week, generally along the Orange Line. Candidates must be able to get to D.C. on short notice; relocation is not covered. Regional and international travel is expected to be 10% or less.

Requirements

Typically three to five years of professional experience; relevant graduate study counts toward this experience.
Ability to learn quickly and support a wide variety of policy, programmatic, partnership, and operations tasks.
Strong writing and clear thinking.
Ability to turn ideas into ambitious, credible, thoughtful programs, emphasizing clarity, specificity, analytical honesty, and implementation feasibility.
Comfort with ambiguity and working on a small team.
Ability to balance moving quickly with working strategically and appropriately.
Principled, nonpartisan approach and familiarity with the conservative and Republican policy world, including awareness of the limits of government action.
Ability to get to Washington, D.C. on short notice.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a think tank, government, the private sector, the aid world, or the advocacy world.
Relevant graduate study.
Ability to use AI tools effectively; AI use is expected and encouraged.

Responsibilities

Research and help design flagship initiatives, including in trade and investment, health, and support for pioneer firms.
Conduct research for white papers, briefing memos, and analyses for the State Department and Congress, including work on procurement reform.
Share research through op-eds, presentations, and social media.
Support briefings for the State Department, White House, and congressional staff.
Work with advocacy organizations to build bipartisan support where possible.
Support partnerships, events, and board meeting preparation, including logistics.
Assist senior staff with policy, programmatic, partnership, and operational tasks as needed.
Help build and expand the organization and its initiatives.