Policy Specialist

Summary

Join World Relief, a global Christian humanitarian organization, as a Policy Specialist to shape and implement policies impacting international development, humanitarian, refugee, and immigration programs. Based in Washington, D.C., you will represent World Relief's positions to governmental leaders and partner organizations. Responsibilities include building relationships with congressional leaders, coordinating across organizational divisions, researching policies, serving as a lead on policy issues affecting vulnerable populations, supporting the government relations team, engaging in media relations, and writing and speaking on policy issues. A mature Christian faith and commitment to World Relief's mission are essential. The position requires a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field and the ability to work independently. Preference is given to candidates with relevant experience and strong communication skills.

Requirements

• Mature and personal Christian faith
• Committed to the mission, vision, and values of World Relief
• Desire to serve and empower the Church to impact vulnerable communities
• Able to affirm and/or acknowledge World Reliefs Core Beliefs , Statement of Faith , Christian Identity and National Evangelicals For the Health Of The Nation document
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in public policy, international relations, international development, or a related field preferred
• Must be able to work independently and with limited supervision in a fast-moving environment
• Must be passionate about seeking just, compassionate refugee, immigration and foreign assistance policies aligned with World Relief’s longstanding advocacy positions
• Must be able to winsomely interact with an ethnically and denominationally diverse range of evangelical Christians as well as with media and elected officials
• Up to 25% domestic and/or international travel required

Responsibilities

• Build and sustain relationships with leaders in Congress and the administration and their staffs, representing World Relief’s policy positions in a biblically-guided, non-partisan way
• Work with World Relief’s international and U.S. programs, marketing and strategic engagement teams to ensure close coordination across different divisions of the organization
• Research, analyze, and monitor domestic and international policies, regulations, and trends affecting World Relief's programs and beneficiaries
• Serve as a primary lead on policy issues affecting the vulnerable populations served by World Relief internationally – at present, in various countries within Africa as well as Haiti and Ukraine
• Support the World Relief government relations team on policy issues related to refugee resettlement, immigration policy and other issues impacting the populations served by World Relief within the United States
• Play a support role in pursuing and responding to media and public relations opportunities, including helping to support World Relief staff to respond to media inquiries and responding directly on issues of expertise regarding international programs and policy
• Writing and speaking on policy issues of expertise, including for audiences that include governmental leaders and church leaders and congregant members
• Assist in internal systems development to strengthen the advocacy team’s efficiency
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Government Relations

Preferred Qualifications

• 3 or more years’ experience in public policy, international development, humanitarian assistance, government service, and/or policy advocacy strongly preferred
• Strong understanding of U.S. government structures and processes, with demonstrated experience or familiarity in engaging both Congress and the Executive Branch on policy advocacy
• Strong understanding of global development issues, including migration and refugee issues, poverty alleviation, humanitarian aid, etc
• Proven ability to build and maintain strategic relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including policymakers, partner organizations, and faith-based leaders
• Experience with biblical/theological studies and/or direct service to refugees/immigrants preferred
• Strong writing and oral communication abilities in English
• Candidate will work remotely from the Washington, D.C. area
• Preference for applicants who have personal lived experience with migration and/or issues impacting vulnerable communities internationally

Benefits

• $65,000 - $70,000 a year
• World Relief offers a competitive benefits package and employee discount program for full-time and part-time employees
• World Relief is honored to be recognized with the Gold-level Cigna Healthy Workforce Designation for exceeding the core components of our well-being program including leadership and culture, program foundations and execution, and whole person health