Advocacy Advisor, Foreign Policy

## Role Purpose

The Advocacy Advisor will support OSF’s advocacy and policy strategies in Washington on U.S. foreign policy issues. The Advisor will be an expert on U.S. foreign policy towards at least two geographic regions (Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe/Eurasia, Latin America, the Caribbean, Middle East/North Africa), as well as have deep experience with several thematic foreign policy issues (foreign assistance, human rights, national security law, defense, technology, etc.). This is a senior-level position that collaborates closely with colleagues in other regions, as well as relevant outside partners and U.S. government officials. The Advisor will ensure coherence, rigor, and innovation across various priorities and lead collaborative work to develop organizational messaging narratives on issues of importance to OSF’s mission.

## Key Responsibilities

– Develop strategies and materials to move U.S. policy on related issues, including but not limited to position papers, letters, background memoranda, legislation, amendments, congressional letters, talking points, hearing questions, congressional record statements, and op-eds.
– Lead OSF’s direct advocacy with U.S. officials in Washington on relevant issues to advance policy accountability and innovation in their respective portfolios.
– Represent OSF in high-level policy events and processes. Develop and manage key relationships with intergovernmental institutions, governments, senior policymakers, legislative staff and Members, and economic, political, social, and cultural leaders.
– Where appropriate, serve as OSF’s spokesperson on specific issues.
– Maintain a network of relationships with high-level officials in the U.S. government and other key players within the policy community.
– Maintain and build a network of external stakeholders including partners, grantees, NGOs, think tanks, and regional experts.
– Monitor U.S. foreign policy, especially as related to assigned geographies and thematic issues.
– Develop, maintain, and strengthen strong U.S. government contacts as well as contacts in foreign embassies, multilateral institutions and offices, and the press corps.
– Solicit, vet, and recommend consultancies and grants, and evaluate grantee organizations.
– Interpret political events in the United States as they relate to U.S. foreign policy and serve as a resource for other OSF opportunities while contributing to multi-program efforts.
– Consider relevant foreign and domestic policy interplay and opportunities.
– Develop and manage tools, tactics, and partnerships for direct engagement with U.S. officials, and advise leadership accordingly.
– Design advocacy strategies for direct engagement with U.S. officials together with Advocacy Advisors, Opportunity staff, and other OSF offices and partners as needed; lead delivery as appropriate.
– Travel as required.
– Other duties as required.

## People Responsibilities (Total Team/DRs)

None

## Key Internal Relationships

US Policy Director; MD; Opportunities; Leadership/EO

## Key External Relationships

U.S. government, foreign embassies, think tanks, core NGO partners, multilateral institutions

## The Ideal Candidate

– Educated to bachelor’s degree level (or equivalent).
– Proven prior external foreign policy leadership experience in an international or non-governmental organization (public or private). This should include experience managing a team or a number of large/complicated projects over extended periods.
– Substantial practical experience, including extensive work relevant to policy advocacy and working with senior policymakers across a range of government agencies.
– Prior employment history in an Executive Branch agency or the U.S. Congress.
– Demonstrated experience creating and measuring impact when designing advocacy strategies for a global organization on a wide range of issues.
– Directly relevant geographical regional experience with a proven track record of leading advocacy across U.S. foreign policy toward at least two of the following regions: Africa; Asia-Pacific; Europe & Eurasia; Latin America and the Caribbean; Middle East & North Africa. Candidates should have experience working in the regions and/or in a policy role focused on those regions for at least a couple of years for each region.
– Experience with a minimum of three thematic issues related to U.S. foreign policy, such as foreign assistance, national security law, human rights, defense, and technology. Candidates should have spent at least a year dedicating a significant percentage of their time to these thematic issues in policymaking, advocacy, or private sector roles.
– Excellent knowledge of the U.S. political process and foreign policy formulation infrastructure, specifically the roles of Congress, the State Department, the Pentagon, USAID, and other relevant agencies.
– Ability to assimilate and understand data and information from various sources to draw appropriate conclusions and make relevant recommendations.
– Fluency in other languages depending on regional requirements.
– Demonstrated commitment to OSF’s core values: humility, commitment, collaboration, respect, inclusivity, and integrity.

## What We Offer

Exceptional opportunities to learn, grow, and make an impact, including a generous annual professional development allowance for every employee and onsite training and learning conversations with visiting experts.

Excellent benefits and perks to promote well-being and a healthy work-life balance, including:

– Generous time off and flexible work arrangements
– Staff required to work in an Open Society office 50% of working days per month
– Employer-paid health insurance and dental plans for individuals and families (no employee contribution required)
– Exceptional retirement savings plan (non-contributory for employees) and life insurance
– Progressive paid parental leave, reproductive and family planning support, and more
– A commitment to nurturing a diverse and inclusive workplace

**Salary range (U.S.):** $181,600–208,300. Final offer depends on factors including skill set and experience.

## Who We Are

Open Society Foundations aim to establish vibrant and inclusive democracies where governments are accountable to their citizens. Our operating model organizes grantmaking around specific, time-limited projects, developed alongside support for established partners, enabling swift responses to emerging needs. We are committed to promoting human dignity, equality, and rights; reimagining democratic ideals and practice; and advancing equity in governance systems.

Guided by our founder’s values and belief in the art of the possible, we engage directly with global entities, individuals, and policymakers through grants, advocacy, impact investing, and strategic human rights litigation to drive positive change. At the heart of our mission is a deep commitment to rights, equity, and justice.

## Additional Information

Open Society Foundations is committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We actively seek applications from talented individuals across all backgrounds, identities, and life experiences. Each candidate is evaluated solely on their unique qualifications without regard to race, age, sex, religion, ethnic origin, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, or any other legally protected characteristics.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities.

Competitive rates of pay apply.

Open Society Foundations is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to building a diverse staff that reflects the movements, issues, and communities our mission serves. Candidates from all underrepresented backgrounds, identities, and communities are encouraged to apply.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and colleagues with disabilities.

Apply here