Director of Government Relations

About InterAction

InterAction is the largest U.S.-based alliance of international non-government organizations (NGOs) and partners. Celebrating our 40th anniversary this year, 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.

Position Description

InterAction seeks a dynamic, experienced senior professional to join as a leader on our public policy and advocacy team, and lead 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 PPC Budget and Appropriations Subcommittee, provide written and oral budget analysis, facilitate information sharing, and represent the interests of InterAction to key agencies within the Administration (i.e. OMB, State Department, and USAID) 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. This may include direct experience working with the State and Foreign Operations appropriations bill, analyzing annual bills as well as supplemental funding requests, and developing recommendations for a group of stakeholders.

Position Type

Full-time

This is a full-time position based in Washington D.C. InterAction maintains a hybrid work environment and employees are eligible to telework three days a week and work in the office two days a week. There is an expectation that employees will be based in the Washington D.C. region.

Essential Functions

• Serve as a senior member of InterAction’s policy and advocacy 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 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 education documents (e.g. Choose to Invest publication)
• 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 U.S. Agency for International Development
• Build and maintain relationships with key Congressional committee staff and strategic partners
• Supervise and mentor team members
• Represent InterAction in public events
• Administrative and other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and/or work experience commensurate in relevant field
• At least 7 years of work experience, which should include direct experience on Capitol Hill, in the Administration, or conducting budget 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 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

Preferred Qualifications

• 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 governmental organizations
• Experience working directly on global development related issues

Supervisory Responsibilities

The position supervises employees.

Compensation

Salary range $115,000 – $150,000 per year, commensurate with skills and experience. InterAction additionally offers an excellent benefits package.

Expected Start Date

As soon as possible

Reports to

Interim VP, Global Development Policy, Advocacy, and Learning

Travel

Minimal

In addition

InterAction is an equal opportunity employer that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. InterAction does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, and individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws.

There are no extraordinary physical requirements for the performance of the essential functions of this position. InterAction will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

All applicants must be able to provide documentation that they are legally eligible to work in the United States for an extended period.

InterAction does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of InterAction and InterAction will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.

To Apply

Please submit a cover letter and resume. All applications must be submitted through ADP for consideration. Incomplete applications will not be considered.