Manager, Advocacy / Government Relations – SOS Children’s Villages, USA Inc – Washington, DC

Manager, Advocacy & Government Relations

Title: Manager, Advocacy and Government Relations
Reports To: Senior Director, External Relations
Supervisory Responsibility: None

Organizational Profile
SOS Children’s Villages believes in a loving home for every child. SOS builds families for children in need, help them shape their own futures and share in the development of their communities. As the world’s largest organization dedicated to orphaned and abandoned children with a presence in 134 countries including the US, we provide stable, loving homes to more than 80,000 children in 545 villages. Our medical, education and family strengthening programs impact another 1.1 million people annually.

Position Summary
The Manager, Advocacy and Government Relations is responsible for the development, strategy, and administration of SOS Children’s Villages Advocacy and Government Relations program. This includes policy development, issue advocacy, policy communications, campaign development, coalition forming, and participation in strategic advocacy groups. S/He will develop and manage all aspects of the Advocacy program with help from the Marketing & Communications, Corporate Relations, and Individual Giving teams.

The Manager, Advocacy and Government Relations is an external facing position and will have the ability to manage a portfolio of relationships, communicate efficiently with stakeholders, and execute a long-term vision.

This is an exempt position and will report to the Senior Director, External Relations.

Responsibilities

Work closely with the international headquarters (SOS Children’s Villages – International) and advocacy offices to develop outreach and campaign plans.
With the CEO and the Senior Director, External Relations, represent SOS-USA at the United Nations and US federal government level.
Develop and implement advocacy campaigns; craft a compelling and engaging online campaign, including petitions, social media, white papers, etc. with a goal of recruiting new supporters.
Represents SOS-USA in coalitions (including but not limited to InterAction, Alliance for International Youth Development, Child Welfare League of America, US Campaign for the Ratification of the CRC, etc.) and other external meetings. Establish and maintain strong working relationships with coalition members, national partners and other outside groups.
Project manage all aspects of SOS-USA’s advocacy work both at the United Nations and the national level including outreach, partnership development, volunteer recruitment, and email outreach.
Manages the tracking of SOS-USA’s priority public policy issues. This includes policy research, analysis and development; extensive monitoring of child rights and child welfare policy; and employing strategic and creative thinking to advance SOS-USA’s mission.
Contributes to the development of SOS-USA’s policy positions and annual policy priorities.
Manages the data collection and recording functions of all government affairs efforts.
Develop content, and manage the creation and implementation of all campaign-specific materials, social media, micro-sites, etc.
Professionally represent SOS USA, attend and make presentations at events and conferences to reach target audiences.
Form or join coalitions to help put SOS-USA in a position to secure US government funding.
Develop content for e-newsletter, website, social media, and outreach emails.
Develop Key Performance Indicators and Milestones for Advocacy work.

Other Responsibilities:

In addition to Advocacy and Government Relations, this position will support the activities of the External Relations department as part of SOS Children’s Villages – USA and may assist with other projects including, but not limited to:
School and University outreach
Events
Research
Budget development and reporting
Participate in cross-departmental working groups.
Administrative and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in a related field, Master’s preferred.
Three to five years of directly related experience in a non-profit environment.
Directly related experience working on international child welfare, children’s rights, foster care, at-risk youth, and other child-focused issues.
Interest in expanding and deepening their child rights and child welfare policy expertise.
Familiarity with United Nations and US Government processes and procedures.
Comfortable meeting with and presenting to high-level constituents including Members of Congress, Ambassadors, etc.
Direct program experience preferred.

Skills

Strong organizational and planning skills with the ability to set priorities and meet deadlines, drive a project, and work independently to accomplish a goal.
Demonstrated ability to plan, implement and manage a multi-faceted program.
Ability to work collaboratively in teams, participate in cross-departmental planning and work with a diverse group of stakeholders.
Impeccable attention to detail while overseeing multiple projects simultaneously.
Excellent customer service skills and follow-up.
Excellent interpersonal communication and writing skills.
Excellent presentation skills.
Excellent computer skills, including and advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office suite.

Work Style

Entrepreneurial attitude and ability to multi-task and accomplish projects in a busy environment.
A collaborative and professional team spirit.
A high level of integrity and commitment to the highest quality of work.
A positive attitude and a strong work ethic.
Ready to make a significant contribution in a rapidly growing organization.
Strong affinity to the cause and mission of SOS Children’s Villages.

How to apply

Qualified and interested candidates should sumbit resume and cover letter to include salary history to jobs@sos-usa.org

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