Government Relations Manager

Job Details

Description

About Us

The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness, and accountability in government. Help support democracy worldwide by joining our team!

About the Role

The Government Relations Manager works under the direction of the Chief Government Relations and Communications Officer to increase support for international democracy assistance and the work of the organization. The Manager expands advocacy and external outreach to the U.S. Congress, the Executive Branch, and donors to increase support and understanding of NDI’s role in promoting international democracy, credible and fair elections, and open and transparent governance. This position will assist in developing strategies to deepen ties with existing democracy champions, expand support, and assist NDI teams across the Institute in external outreach and advocacy.

Your Purpose and Impact

• Manage and develop strategies to engage the U.S. Congress and the Executive Branch to ensure NDI programming is well-known to donors, and teams are actively engaged in coordinated and effective outreach.
• Expand congressional outreach with Members of Congress and staff to increase support and understanding of NDI’s role in promoting international democracy, credible and fair elections, and open and transparent governance.
• Manage and maintain persistent and persuasive written and verbal communication to educate the U.S. Congress on legislative policies that promote democracy assistance.
• Manage bipartisan congressional strategy and outreach for NDI teams, international staff, visiting members of parliament, and democracy partners.
• Create and manage strategies to secure long-term funding for democracy promotion through annual appropriations outreach and congressional forms.
• Create and manage new opportunities and strategies for Hill engagement, including NDI-sponsored events that feature local partners and highlight democracy defenders.
• Create and manage email updates for targeted Hill audiences to provide on-the-ground updates and inform about democratic developments and trends in countries where NDI has programming.
• Create, manage, and edit talking points and briefing materials that highlight NDI programs to have the greatest impact on Hill audiences.
• Monitor legislation, congressional hearings, and markups on democracy assistance, human rights, and foreign policy issues to keep NDI teams informed of relevant legislation.
• Liaise with NDI teams, including conducting virtual and in-person training for NDI staff and local partners on strategy and best practices for external outreach, advocacy, demonstrating impact, and ensuring legal compliance.
• Assist the Officer in training and educating other team members on best practices in public advocacy and outreach.
• Assist the Officer in onboarding, development of tasks, and day-to-day management of temporary project assistants on matters pertaining to public advocacy and outreach.
• Assist in drafting congressional testimony for NDI experts.
• Maintain a strong coalition network within the democracy community, think tanks, academia, and allied organizations to maximize NDI’s public profile.
• Incorporate best practices on external outreach and advocacy into NDI’s day-to-day operations.
• Act as a back-up for other team members as needed.
• Participate in cross-functional initiatives as needed.
• Actively seek and engage in professional development opportunities to enhance knowledge in project/program management.
• Maintain a general working knowledge of relevant program trends and issues occurring external to NDI.
• Perform other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; a combination of experience and education in lieu of degree will be considered.
• Minimum of eight years of experience implementing government relations outreach and advocacy strategies.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills, including the ability to communicate effectively and project a professional image when giving and receiving information in writing, in person, and through various communications media.
• Understanding of strategic outreach, advocacy, and building the skills capacity of teams.
• Demonstrated critical thinking and analytical skills, particularly with audience and stakeholders data and the ability to draw conclusions, determine options, and recommend next steps.
• Nuanced understanding of audience, and experience working on complex, politically sensitive issues in dynamic environments.
• Basic proficiency in Google Suite tools and Microsoft Office preferred.
• Excellent organizational, planning, and time management skills with demonstrated flexibility and the ability to manage multiple and often changing priorities and issues of varying complexity while meeting time-sensitive deadlines and deliverables.
• Attention to detail and creating accurate work products with a focus on quality is a must.
• Knowledge of WordPress, Salsa, and contact management systems a plus.
• A high level of confidence, integrity, interpersonal skills, and a professional executive presence for effectively interacting with and influencing others, internal and external to the organization.
• Capacity to work effectively both independently and as a member of a team required.
• Excellent writing, proofreading, and editing skills.

What We Offer

We offer an environment committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging as a core part of our culture. We strive to foster empowerment and belonging as these values are central to our mission and to our impact. We believe that diversity in thought helps us solve the complex problems we face around the globe.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes health, dental, vision, a generous PTO policy, flexible schedules, and a 10% employer contribution to the retirement pension.

Additional Information

This position offers an anticipated salary range of approximately $88,200 – $110,200.

While there may be flexibility for remote/hybrid work environment and to comply with tax and legal obligations, successful candidates must be residents of MD, DC, or VA, or relocate prior to the start of employment at NDI.

This is a union position to be represented by the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 2.

Candidates must be legally eligible to work in the U.S. NDI does not provide sponsorship.

NDI is an equal opportunity employer (EEO). As such, NDI makes employment decisions and provides equal employment opportunity without regard to an applicant’s or employee’s race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, and local laws. As an equal opportunity employer, NDI encourages individuals with disabilities, including disabled veterans or veterans with service-connected disabilities, to apply.

If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please notify NDI’s Human Resources department at [email protected]. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c).

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