Senior Program Officer for Food and Freshwater, Policy and Government - 26031

World Wildlife Fund • Washington, DC

46d

About The Position

World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world's leading international conservation organizations, seeks an experienced policy advocate and government relations professional to join its Policy and Government Affairs team to help advance WWF policy and funding priorities with the United States government. The individual will be responsible for developing and leading lobbying and advocacy strategies around WWF priority issues of food system transformation and freshwater policy, working as part of a dynamic and transparent team environment and in close collaboration with relevant WWF substance experts from across the organization. The individual will also be responsible for building and managing strong and positive relationships with U.S. government stakeholders in both Congress and the Administration and for positively promoting WWF's brand and reputation as well as its access to key decisionmakers and its ability to advance its overall priorities and policy objectives. Salary Range: $89,600 - $112,100 Please note: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.  In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree with 6+ years of experience in conservation, policy, or advocacy. Advanced degree preferred.
• Strong existing working relationships preferred, including with relevant coalition players and Congressional, including Committee, and Executive branch staff. In particular, Agriculture Committees and USDA.
• Must be willing to register as a federal lobbyist.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including effective public speaking and the ability to communicate complex issues both verbally and in written form.
• Ability to effectively prioritize and produce high-quality work under time constraints
• Excellent organizational and project leadership skills
• Proven ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment
• Familiarity with Microsoft office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access).
• Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
• Identifies and aligns with WWF's core values: COURAGE - We demonstrate courage through our actions, we work for change where it's needed, and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet, which is our home. INTEGRITY - We live the principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity, accountability and transparency, and we rely on facts and science to guide us and to ensure that we learn and evolve. RESPECT - We honor the voices and knowledge of people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future. COLLABORATION - We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree preferred.
• Strong existing working relationships preferred, including with relevant coalition players and Congressional, including Committee, and Executive branch staff. In particular, Agriculture Committees and USDA.

Responsibilities

• Creates, implements, and supports outreach and advocacy strategies to influence U.S. government stakeholders and their actions around one or more WWF priorities. Priorities will include food system strengthening and reducing food loss and waste, domestic and international freshwater access and ecosystem connectivity, and conservation priorities in the Great Plains.
• Develops and supports lobbying strategies, devising compelling communications to influence U.S. government audiences, creating opportunities to highlight WWF projects and experts, representing WWF on advocacy coalitions with external partners (including leading these at times), and representing WWF and the Policy and Government Affairs team with the full range of external and internal contacts, including via public speaking opportunities on occasion.
• Represents, advocates, and is point of contact with government partners in the administrative and legislative branches on portfolio issues and priorities. Cultivates and manages strong relationships with U.S. government stakeholders to build and maintain WWF's access and influence and its ability to advance its full range of federal policy priorities.
• Tracks legislation, appropriations, regulatory action, political processes and trends, and individual policymakers and their priorities to identify and capitalize on opportunities for WWF to advance objectives.
• Composes or contributes to memos, fact sheets, case studies, testimony, public comments, policy briefs, presentation materials, and speeches or other verbal remarks to be delivered by WWF representatives, including senior staff and leadership at times. Works with relevant WWF experts and staff, analyzes, redlines, and/or drafts U.S. government policy documents, including legislation, amendments, executive orders, presidential memos, regulations, agency guidance, etc.
• Actively promotes coordination, collaboration, and information sharing within and across teams to maximize results across WWF's full set of priority issues and ensure its capacities and expertise are deployed efficiently and effectively in pursuit of the organization's objectives. Collaborates closely with other Policy and Government Affairs staff, particularly where portfolios and responsibilities overlap or are cross-cutting.
• Manages consultants, budgets, and projects, as necessary, and helps to manage and mentor junior staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees