Job Summary

The Specialist will be responsible for developing, leading, and implementing an advocacy strategy to advance a subset of agency priority advocacy activities related to U.S. foreign policy, global hunger, global health, emergency response, international assistance funding and finance, aid effectiveness and reform, climate change, and regional/country specific issues.  

The Specialist will advance CRS’ issues bilaterally in Congress and within the Executive Branch, while working with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Church partners, coalitions, and peer organizations to ensure that USG policy and funding decisions promote a strong enabling environment for CRS programming, advance integral human development, and address root causes of social injustice.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Develop and lead USG advocacy and outreach strategy on agency sectoral and regional priorities to promote policies that advance integral human development and support CRS programs and that address root causes of social injustice.
• Represent CRS at events and in meetings with congressional offices, relevant administration departments  agencies, and DC-based multilateral institutions, including in international fora.  
• Initiate and arrange administration and Congressional meetings for CRS board members, executives, and visiting CRS field staff and partners as part of advocacy strategy. 
• Plan and coordinate key communications to advocacy targets, including but not limited to, letters to Congress and federal agencies, talking points, and Congressional briefings and testimony.
• Develop resources, including policy briefs, fact sheets, talking points, toolkits, and other materials for dissemination to policy makers, the media, partner organizations, and other advocates as appropriate.
• Solicit, analyze, and synthesize CRS experience overseas as input to development of policy positions and evidence-based advocacy, alone or with Policy Team and/or other Global Programs staff. 
• Work with relevant CRS country programs, humanitarian response staff, and technical staff to develop USG advocacy objectives; ensure consistency in CRS’ U.S.-facing engagement on these objectives; and arrange opportunities for program staff to engage with US government officials.
• Organize multi-day advocacy tours for visiting high-level Church partners and humanitarian partners, to advance joint priorities. Strategically convene partners and U.S government officials; members of the diplomatic corps, leaders of the U.S. Church; and D.C.-based foreign policy experts. 
• Collaborate closely with counterparts at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to ensure policy and advocacy alignment, communicate full consistency with Catholic Church teaching, and produce joint USCCB/CRS resources as they relate to international assistance.
• Collaborate with D.C.-based coalition groups and coordinate efforts to further legislative, administration, and other priorities.
• Provide advice to CRS constituent engagement efforts as they intersect with key portfolio issues, as part of integrated advocacy strategy.
• Develop and facilitate advocacy presentations and trainings for CRS staff, constituents, and partners, including Catholic Social Ministry Gathering.
• Communicate timely updates to key agency stakeholders regarding U.S. policy developments and implications for CRS programming.
• Support team MEAL processes to assess advocacy efforts and support implementation of lessons learned.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs, Political Science, Business Administration, Public Policy or another relevant field. Relevant Master’s degree preferred. 
• Minimum of eight years’ work experience in this or related field. 
• Demonstrated performance in developing and implementing issue advocacy strategies. 
• Demonstrated working knowledge of: (1) Catholic Church organizational structures and (2) Catholic Social Teaching.
• Experience with web-based collaboration and communication systems technologies, including but not limited to the Microsoft Office 365, Salesforce, Adobe Connect etc.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience in a non-profit/non-governmental aid and development organization or in public service at a relevant government agency.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of foreign policy and foreign assistance issues. 
• Accomplished advocacy skills including working effectively in a bi-partisan manner. 
• Demonstrated excellent writing skills for advocacy. 
• Accomplished verbal communication and representation skills. 
• Accomplished interpersonal skills, especially the ability to work in teams and collaborate effectively and proactively in a complex organization. 
• Ability to work independently and demonstrate initiative. 
• Ability to respond flexibly and with perseverance to challenges of advocacy. 
• Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Strong knowledge of the workings of the U.S. Congress, relevant parts of the Executive Branch, and political environment. 
• Demonstrated judgment in strategic relationship management. 
• Effective representation of Catholic teaching in all public settings. 
• Ability to think holistically, taking a comprehensive perspective as well as possessing a strong attention to detail.
• Ability and desire to work well with diverse staff in a cooperative and friendly manner.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with databases, Office 365, and other technical tools to support operations.
• Able to work flexible hours when needed.

Required Languages: English required, second language (French, Spanish, Arabic) preferred but not required. 

Travel: Ability to travel in the US or globally as necessary (up to 10%). Ability to work nights and weekends as required.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions. 
• Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission.  Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust - Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

WHAT WE OFFER

CRS offers U.S. based staff a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan.  Salary and benefits packages for successful candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment/in-country office where the candidate will perform the role.  CRS´ work culture is a collaborative, mission-driven culture committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Catholic Relief Services works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality.  Catholic Relief Services’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.  We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse.  The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults - to live free from abuse and harm.

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. 

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

General Requirements

CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements.  All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination.

CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.