Advocacy Manager

TITLE:                 Advocacy Manager

LOCATION:        Washington, D.C.

REPORTS TO:     Policy Director

Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (“Friends”) works to end the worldwide burden of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. We educate, engage, and mobilize U.S. decision makers to support the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (“Global Fund”), the world’s largest public health financier. The Global Fund supports treatment, prevention and care programs for the three diseases – and larger health security and pandemic response capacity locally — in more than 100 low- and middle-income countries. In addition, we advocate with policymakers in support of the U.S. bilateral health programs (PEPFAR, PMI, and the USAID TB program), and advocate for global pandemic prevention, preparedness and response policies and institutions grounded in human rights and implementing country leadership. Friends works very closely with the Global Fund in Geneva, and with civil society partners and coalitions in the United States, in other high-income donor countries (e.g., in Europe and Japan), and in low- and middle-income countries around the world.

The Advocacy Manager is a part of the Policy team and will play a vital role within the organization. The position reports to the Policy Director.

Duties

The Advocacy Manager assists the Chief Policy Officer and Policy Director in four central elements of Friends’ advocacy work. First, the primary responsibility of the Advocacy Manager will be to play a significant role in Friends’ efforts to communicate with policymakers in Congress in particular, and also the Executive Branch. The Advocacy Manager will be encouraged to develop relationships with staff and principals to cultivate support for Friends’ goals to expand support for the Global Fund and other global health initiatives. They will also track legislative processes and advocate for policy decisions that advance global health.

Second, the Advocacy Manager will assist the Policy Director in maintaining relationships with a wide variety of advocacy coalitions and civil society partners in the U.S. and abroad. The Advocacy Manager will represent Friends in regular meetings with coalitions  of non-governmental organizations focused on advocacy for global health and foreign assistance programs.  

Third, the Advocacy Manager will also be the lead staffer in coordinating events to educate policymakers or discuss emerging ideas in global health policy. These events range from panel discussions, webinars and in-person events with experts, advocates, thought leaders and frontline health specialists.

Lastly, the Advocacy Manager will produce research and writing to support Friends’ advocacy objectives on HIV, TB, malaria, other global health access and preparedness, institutional arrangements and financing. This will include producing issue briefs, reports and policy memos based on empirical evidence for public or internal use. In addition, the Advocacy Manager will assist the writing and research of other members of the Friends team. .

In addition, the Advocacy Manager plays a key role in managing the operations of the policy team. This includes assisting with scheduling, contributing to regular reports to Friends’ Board and funders, and supporting the Policy Director in managing the Friends’ intern program.

The ideal candidate will bring experience and connections from the advocacy or legislative sectors, be energetic and motivated, work well in a team, and have a problem-solving attitude. This is a full-time, exempt opportunity reporting directly to the Policy Director based in our Washington, D.C. office.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Knowledge of/experience in the advocacy or think tank communities, preferably with a focus on global health or international relations.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities and occasional heavy workloads.
  • Ability to research and analyze various issues with reasonable speed, sourcing and accuracy and articulate how these interact with the Global Fund and U.S. policies, initiatives and procedures.
  • Possess strong analytical, oral, written and interpersonal communication skills, including attention to detail.
  • Comfortable facility with using databases, videoconference and digital platforms.
  • Experience with national and international public interest advocacy campaigns and international affairs, or demonstrated equivalent experience. 
  • Knowledge and understanding of global health issues, with a particular understanding of the Global Fund and its mechanics and processes, are considered a plus.
  • Possess the ability to interact effectively with leaders in public policy, global health and other partners in the U.S. and abroad and be responsive to these entities.
  • Ability and acumen for working with people reflecting gender, racial, ethnic, intercultural, political and ideological diversity with sensitivity and effectiveness.
  • Decisive and diplomatic, with a strong and demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and projects while working as a team member.
  • Ability to effectively manage workload and complete projects in a timely fashion.
  • Highly organized, detail-oriented, self-motivated and independent problem solver.

Required Education and Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree is required. At least 3-5 years of professional experience working on related issues.
  • An advanced degree or experience in global health, international relations or public policy is preferred but not required.
  • Experience working on Capitol Hill, including internships, is required.

How To Apply

Please send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample with the subject heading Advocacy Manager to [email protected]. No phone calls, please. Please note that due to the volume of applications we receive, we can only respond to applicants whose qualifications closely match the job description.

Compensation: Salary is competitive and depends on qualifications, plus we offer a competitive benefits package. Friends is an equal opportunity employer.

All Friends staff work from home but are routinely expected to be in-person in Washington, DC, depending on public health conditions and organization needs.