Deputy Director, Policy and Advocacy

Job title:

Deputy Director, Policy and Advocacy

Company

Freedom House

Job description

ABOUT FREEDOM HOUSE

Established more than 80 years ago on the core conviction that freedom flourishes in democratic nations where governments are accountable to their people, Freedom House is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that works to defend and expand freedom globally to help secure a world where all are free. Around the world, repressive regimes are preventing billions of people from exercising their fundamental rights. We identify and analyze threats to freedom, mobilize decision makers to respond to those threats and seize opportunities for progress, and support activists and organizations working to defend and expand freedom. We are dedicated to ensuring that the United States serves as a positive model of democratic practice at home and a consistent champion of freedom globally. By gathering authoritative data and leveraging our global networks, Freedom House is an unwavering beacon in protecting human rights and promoting democratic governance.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Deputy Director of Policy and Advocacy for Asia reports to the Vice President of Policy and Advocacy and will play a leading role in crafting Freedom House’s policy agenda and advocacy strategy for the protection and promotion of democracy and human rights in Asia. This is a full-time position based in Washington, DC and. At present, the Policy and Advocacy team is working in hybrid format, with occasional in-office days required.

The Policy and Advocacy team is responsible for overseeing the creation of all of Freedom House’s advocacy plans and policy recommendations, in coordination with our subject matter experts. The team also oversees Freedom House’s work with other US-based human rights organizations and coordinates sign on letters and policy-focused events. The team conducts advocacy trainings and helps prepare Freedom House staff and partners for meetings, briefings, and testimonies.

The US government is our primary advocacy target, and the team meets regularly with executive branch officials, Members of the US Congress, and staff. We also engage in advocacy with foreign government officials on select issues and support the advocacy activities of our program staff at multilateral institutions, regional bodies, and in countries where we have programming. We also conduct advocacy toward the private sector on an issue-specific basis.

Working in close coordination with our in-house Asia experts, the Deputy Director of Policy and Advocacy for Asia will play a key role in determining Freedom House’s policy agenda, partner on the crafting of advocacy strategies to advance that agenda, and coordinate the implementation of the advocacy strategies. The primary advocacy focus for this position is the US government, with additional international and multistakeholder advocacy as relevant in accordance with the advocacy strategies.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead development of advocacy strategies related to democracy and human rights challenges in various countries in Asia, in close coordination with subject matter experts and within the framework of our institutional strategic plan.
• Determine policy positions to take, which USG and foreign government officials and advocacy targets to meet with, which written advocacy products to produce, how to promote existing publications and move existing policy recommendations forward, etc.
• Help update existing strategies on China and Afghanistan.
• Author policy recommendations, policy briefs, congressional testimony, op-eds, press releases, talking points, and other advocacy materials as necessary.
• Monitor developments related to Asia, including legislative proposals and advocacy initiatives in the United States, to keep colleagues informed and recommend policy positions and advocacy interventions.
• Review and recommend whether Freedom House should sign on to advocacy and coalition letters with partner organizations and other stakeholders around these issues. In addition, identify and oversee opportunities for Freedom House to draft and lead on coalition letters.
• Organize and lead meetings, roundtables, and events, and representing Freedom House at high level engagements related to Asia.
• Prepare human rights defenders from Asia and Freedom House staff for meetings, hearings, briefings, or speaking engagements on these topics.
• Respond to incoming requests from policymakers for information related to these issues.
• Work with research colleagues to determine creative methods of dissemination of findings, and helping organize and participate in briefings of research related Asia.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Asian studies, human rights, international affairs, political science, or a related field required. Master’s degree preferred.

Experience:

• Previous employment in the US Senate, US House, US Department of State, USAID, White House, or similar, required, with at least 9-12 years of directly relevant experience, including of hands-on policy or advocacy experience and the ability to demonstrate success at moving legislation or policy agendas.
• An eagerness to grapple with complicated policy questions, and previous experience working on Asia issues and advocating to US and international policymakers.
• Broad understanding of issues related to Asia, and detailed knowledge of topics related to fostering a diverse and reliable online information ecosystem, such as platform regulation, intermediary liability, or algorithmic accountability. Some familiarity with policy debates surrounding data protection, government surveillance, and cross-border data flows is desirable.
• Proven ability to research, analyze, and report on policy issues, including demonstrated experience drafting legislation, policy memos, and other written products relevant to policy and advocacy work.
• Detailed knowledge of democracy and human rights issues in Asia and their relevance to the broader foreign policy landscape.
• Proven ability to build consensus amongst a variety of diverse stakeholders.
• Track record of strategic leadership.
• Experience working in Asia preferred.

Technical Skills and Abilities:

• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize work, and multitask to meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to distill large amounts of complex information into short summaries preserving key points.
• Ability to assess and recommend policy positions based on Freedom House’s lens toward bipartisan, pragmatic solutions.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Proven ability to build consensus amongst variety of diverse stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.
• Ability to maintain the highest degree of confidentiality and exhibits unquestionable integrity, honesty, and forthrightness.
• Must be able to successfully work collaboratively with all levels of employees, management, external partners, and funders.
• Familiarity with social media for advocacy.
• Familiarity with the MS Office suite of applications.
• Familiarity with Salesforce, KnowWho, and AirTable a plus.
• Proficiency in regional language preferred.

Personal Attributes and Characteristics:

• Strong work ethic and desire for personal and professional development. Demonstrates a strong desire for personal excellence and can inspire others to achieve as well. Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; pursues training and development opportunities; strives to continuously build knowledge and skills.
• Deeply committed to nonpartisanship, exhibiting a strong and sustained commitment to the mission of Freedom House.
• Works as an effective team member, successfully balancing individual and team responsibilities.
• Committed to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace where all feel that they belong.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Diversity makes our work stronger. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all background to apply. Diverse backgrounds relevant to the countries in which we have programming are a welcome asset.
• Freedom House provides a strong benefits package, including a 403(b)-retirement account, commuter benefits, flexible hours, floating holidays, high employer contributions to medical, dental, and vision premiums, basic and voluntary life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability, flexible spending account, and more.
• Applicants are required to complete our online application form and to submit a resume and a cover letter that outlines interests and qualifications for this position.
• Salaries are commensurate with experience and based on pay grades that prioritize equity across the organization. Salary range for this role is $105,000 to $125,000/year annualized, dependent upon experience.
• Travel to some countries, for business or in some cases personal reasons, while a Freedom House employee, may not be advisable or even possible due to high security risks.
• Candidates must possess authorization to work in the United States independent from Freedom House sponsorship.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

General Working Conditions:

• General working office environment or telework.
• May require long hours including evenings and weekends to complete tasks.
• This role requires daily exposure to potentially distressing news content, research, and first-hand accounting of personal stories.
• Potential travel for events and initiatives less than 10 percent of the time.

Work Environment and Physical Demands: Essential functions are typically performed in an office setting or remote work. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Freedom House is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.

Expected salary

$105000 – 125000 per year

Location

Washington DC

Job date

Sun, 12 Nov 2023 07:07:50 GMT

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