Senior Associate, Public Affairs

Organization Overview

UNICEF USA (“UUSA” or “We”) relentlessly pursues a more equitable world for every child, upholding the rights of all children and empowering every child, everywhere. We also support the fundamental belief that children should have a voice and role in shaping their futures and the futures of their communities.
Over eight decades, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has built an unprecedented global support system for the world’s children, and has boldly taken on the biggest, seemingly impossible challenges facing children. UNICEF relentlessly works day in and day out to deliver the essentials that give every child an equitable chance in life: health care and immunizations, safe water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. UNICEF USA advances the global mission of UNICEF by rallying the American public to support the world’s most vulnerable children.
We know that sustainable change is attainable, but it can’t be achieved alone. It takes a committed team – individuals, governments, corporations, volunteers and staff – who demonstrate a relentless commitment to working tirelessly, day in and day out in some of the toughest, hardest to reach places. Big problems need big solutions, and we harness our collective, global voice and energy to do more good, in more places for children. We will never stop supporting UNICEF to develop smarter, more cost-effective solutions; scaling up proven, data-driven programs; and harnessing new technologies to create measurable change for children.
UUSA is organized under the laws of New York State as a not-for-profit corporation. As such, UUSA is a tax-exempt organization as defined under Section 501C(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is governed by an independent, non-salaried Board of Directors.

Position: Senior Associate, Public Affairs

Location: Based in or within a commutable distance to Washington, D.C.

FLSA Status: Full-Time

Salary: $59,600 - $69,600 annually

Position Description

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Advocacy Strategy and Operations, the Senior Associate will support efforts to develop and execute strategies to advance outcomes for children globally and in the U.S. that align with UNICEF’s priorities. These efforts will establish opportunities to generate brand exposure, promote UNICEF USA as a credible thought leader in relevant policy spaces, and cultivate a wider domestic base of advocates invested in UNICEF’s mission and advancement of child rights. In line with key UNICEF and UNICEF USA priorities, the Senior Associate will provide support for engagements with policymakers and partners that advance these goals.

The Senior Associate will help maintain a robust network of contacts in Congress, state legislatures, and with various partner networks and provide a high level of support in planning, implementing, and evaluating UNICEF USA’s advocacy campaigns. The Senior Associate will provide support to develop and execute strategies to grow and maintain UNICEF USA’s base of U.S.-based advocates who are prepared to build support for UNICEF USA priorities and advance engagement and legislative outcomes, and will support internal coordination to ensure public affairs strategies are integrated with and take account of various managed relationships across departments.

The position also works to support staff and programs aimed at policy change, nongovernmental organization (NGO) coalition building, volunteer recruitment, retention, engagement, and stewardship, and data and digital platforms. They will help to gather and maintain constituent and group data and track key performance indicators (KPIs) aligned with our engagement and policy change strategies.

The ideal candidate will be motivated and passionate about advancing UNICEF USA’s mission, work well in a team, have a problem-solving attitude, and think creatively.

Key Responsibilities (including, but not limited to) :

• Support development and execution of UNICEF USA’s policy and government affairs strategy to build and maintain relationships that garner bipartisan support for UNICEF USA priorities.
• Assist in cultivating and maintaining effective relationships with U.S. policymakers to influence and advance legislation and funding related to UNICEF USA priorities. For domestic policy priorities, this will involve close collaboration with the Community Alliance for Child Rights (CACR).
• Support engagement with the U.S. NGO community on policy initiatives and issues relevant to UNICEF USA’s mission; provide substantive participation, analysis, and information sharing (including across UNICEF USA departments and with UNICEF HQ) in representing UNICEF USA’s positions externally with relevant partners, public interest groups, coalitions, and other organizations at working groups, partner meetings and events.
• Assist in tracking and advocating for prioritization of funding and policies that help deliver impact for children, including through appropriations and authorization legislation and amendments; develop new legislative ideas; and make recommendations on UNICEF USA’s policy agenda.
• Support organization of, and participate in, Congressional staff-level meetings and other events; assist in strategizing and preparing materials for senior UNICEF USA and UNICEF leaders including for meetings at key points in the appropriations process and at other points in which UNICEF presence can advance policy and/or funding outcomes. Work closely with CACR in organizing such efforts related to domestic policy priorities at the federal and state levels.
• Support the creation of grassroots events and other opportunities for engagement to advance UNICEF USA’s advocacy agenda.
• Assist in seeking/securing opportunities to deepen UNICEF USA’s strategic engagement with think tanks and research institutions to ensure UNICEF USA’s position is clearly voiced in spaces that reinforce UNICEF USA as the premier partner in advocacy for children worldwide.
• Liaise across teams, including Marketing and Communications (MarComms) and CACR, to draft and send external content including constituent emails highlighting advocacy campaigns. Maintain and update web content as assigned, and assist in creation of social media shareables and promote activations via UNICEF USA channels, including through Phone2Action.
• Support tracking of key legislators and policy priorities; support messaging updates tailored for various advocate networks and bipartisan audiences to help influence U.S. policymakers to provide resources and advance policy initiatives that support UNICEF USA’s policy priorities, including support for UNICEF’s global program work.
• Develop talking points and contribute to briefing materials for leadership.
• Provide support for a range of advocacy events, including with UNICEF, and support trainings with both internal and external audiences (in person and online).
• Support efforts to maintain data and assist with stakeholder engagement strategies involving tools like BBCRM and Quorum.
• Contribute to the Public Affairs team’s operational and strategic planning and evaluation processes.
• Provide support with administrative tasks as assigned, including monitoring and reporting of lobbying efforts at the state and/or federal levels, development of reports (including Phone2Action reports), and assistance in managing advocacy email account.
• Remain attuned to political dynamics, sensitivities, and happenings related to key Congressional committees of jurisdiction.
• Backstop other team members in support of collaborative strategy development and execution.
Support other duties and initiatives as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree (BA) with a minimum of two to four years of related experience in foreign and/or domestic policy and legislative affairs, issue-advocacy work, and/or civic engagement. Experience working on Capitol Hill preferred.
• Must have knowledge and experience in the legislative process and experience in grassroots and grasstops advocacy. Understanding of international development, humanitarian, and (global and/or domestic) policies related to child protection and children's rights a major plus.
• Knowledge of UNICEF's programs preferred.
• Highly organized, strong critical thinking skills, analytical, detail oriented. Self-motivated. Demonstrated ability to compile, organize, analyze data
• Proficient internet researcher and in Microsoft Office (Outlook- 2010 preferred, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint); Box; experience with BBCRM, Quorum, and other CRM/ stakeholder mapping and engagement tools as plus; social media networking skills/experience a plus.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills required. Strong public speaking skills preferred. Strategic communications background and/or experience developing/editing tailored content for various audiences on a variety of platforms preferred.
• Excellent team player with strong interpersonal skills, relationship building/management skills, and collaborative approach.
• Experience supporting trainings for grassroots and/or grasstops advocates preferred.
• Strong ability to both work well across teams and independently while managing multiple priorities under tight deadlines. Ability to be flexible, resourceful, and demonstrate resilience under pressure while remaining results focused.
• Ability to consistently prioritize, apply sound judgment, work autonomously with attention to detail, and make responsible decisions.
• Experience managing / supervising staff or interns preferred.
• Must be willing to undertake some domestic and international travel.
• Must share a strong commitment to international humanitarian relief and embrace the mission of UNICEF USA.

Other Special Requirements :

Must possess current and valid U.S. Work Authorization and be eligible to work for any U.S. employer without sponsorship.

Must possess current and valid US Work Authorization and be eligible to work for any US employer without sponsorship.

Due to the high volume of applications received, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. UNICEF USA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer

We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. UUSA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at peopleandculture@unicefusa.org .