Jobs

Policy Counsel, The Constitution Project

Founded in 1981 in partnership with whistleblowers, the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) is a nonpartisan independent watchdog that works to expose waste, corruption, abuse of power, and other instances where the government fails to serve the public. We champion reforms to achieve a more effective, ethical, and accountable federal government that safeguards constitutional principles. POGO has an over $7 million annual budget that supports a staff of over 50 employees.

The Constitution Project at POGO is looking for a talented Policy Counsel to manage TCP’s policy and legal advocacy portfolio to protect constitutional rights, particularly when threatened by our government’s national security and domestic law enforcement surveillance practices. The Policy Counsel reports directly to the Director of The Constitution Project.

We encourage potential applicants to apply even if they only have experience or familiarity in some of the areas described below. We fully recognize that many great candidates will not have experience in all of the areas we list, or may have relevant experiences and skills that we have not listed or considered.

Responsibilities include:

• Serve as legal advisor to TCP and POGO concerning government use of new technologies that threaten fundamental rights and perpetuate inequality
• Proactively identify new issue areas for TCP policy development and advancement, and monitor and respond to a rapidly changing legal landscape and technological advancements
• Ability to center racial justice and the impact of surveillance on disenfranchised groups and communities, including people of color and indigenous peoples, migrants, LGBTQ community members, and others in advocacy
• Develop and manage progress on POGO’s strategic plans relating to ending over broad government surveillance and policing
• Implement advocacy and public education campaigns

• Outreach to and education of Members of Congress and the Executive Branch—and their staff—in support of TCP policy goals
• Develop relationships with and coordinate advocacy coalitions and stakeholders to advance TCP policy
• Conduct original policy and legal research
• Draft reports, letters to Congress, coalition letters, and other advocacy materials
• Respond rapidly to media inquiries on relevant issues and draft original analysis and opinion pieces for publication in local and national media

• Serve as one of the public faces of TCP at POGO, including public speaking at conferences and events
• Work collaboratively with internal teams to advance POGO’s goals and to ensure coordination, including POGO’s communication, investigation, and development teams
• Work with prominent law firms on amicus briefs supporting TCP’s policy goals in the courts
• Other duties as needed or required to accomplish POGO’s mission.

Qualifications include:

• A law degree and minimum of 2 years of work experience in law and public policy.
• Knowledge of the legal and political landscape concerning government surveillance, national security, and domestic policing.
• Experience working with communities affected by overboard government surveillance and building coalitions of impacted communities and grassroots organizations
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work on internal teams, with external organizations and independently when necessary.

• Ability to work respectfully and collaboratively with POGO staff, i.e., a strong commitment to POGO’s values of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Demonstrated ability to multitask, take direction, and meet strict deadlines.
• Must be well organized with strong attention to detail.
• Consistently take initiative to solve problems and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Sound judgement in handling sensitive and confidential matters.

• Demonstrated commitment to working in a nonpartisan, collaborative, and respectful manner.

Compensation, benefits, and other information:

This position is eligible for remote work from anywhere within the United States provided you are available during POGO’s core working hours in the Eastern Time Zone. Otherwise, the position and POGO are based in Washington, DC. This is a full-time position and includes the listed benefits.

• Competitive nonprofit salary commensurate with experience in the range of $65K-$82K
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 403(b) employee investment plan available, with employer retirement contribution through a SEP IRA once eligible
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage

• Metro SmarTrip benefits participation available
• Paid holiday, vacation, and sick leave

To Apply: Submit cover letter and resume. No phone calls please.

Application Deadline: February 13th

Please contact careers@pogo.org with any inquiries about our open jobs and any other questions about a career at POGO.

Job posted: 2023-01-30