Director of Government Affairs

Department: Policy

LOCATION:

Washington, D.C.

REPORTS TO:

Vice President for Policy and Communications

COORDINATES WITH:

The Director of Government Affairs coordinates with and represents Oxfam America in the Congress; among executives in the Federal Government; before development agencies and International Financial Institutions; and with other non-profit organizations and associations. S/he coordinates with the Vice President for Policy and Communications; Special Advisor to the Vice President; Director of Outreach and Organizing; Director of Communications; Director of Private Sector Engagement; the Program Management Team; Oxfam America stakeholders such as regional offices; and Oxfam International.

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The Director for Government Affairs directs the development and implementation of strategies affecting the Congress, federal departments and agencies, the courts, and international development agencies and financial institutions to ensure that Oxfam America’s goals and objectives are met.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership

As part of an agency-wide program management team, leads and manages the planning and implementation of Oxfam America’s engagement with the Congress, the executive branch of the US government, and with international development agencies and financial institutions as it pertains to OA policy, advocacy and campaign activities and specific policy goals and objectives.
Contributes to the strategic programmatic leadership of Oxfam America through close interaction with the Vice President for Policy and Communications and the Special Advisor to the Vice President.
Directs OA’s engagement with the US government and international institutions and ensures the continued strategic positioning of Oxfam America within that context.
Helps to identify key emerging issues and opportunities in the Congress, the executive branch, and international institutions for OA’s policy and advocacy engagement.
Participates in and supports the Program Management Team and other key inter-Oxfam leadership structures.

Advocacy and Representation:

Assists in efforts to inform and influence government executives, Members of Congress and their staffs, international development agencies and financial institutions
Oversees and, as necessary, delivers OA’s testimony before the Congress and other governmental bodies.
Coordinates meetings with Members of Congress and their staffs; federal agency officials; policymakers in development and international financial institutions; and with partners and allies in non-profit and for profit organizations on governmental affairs and legislative matters.
Represents Oxfam at conferences, ally and partner meetings, and other public events.
Represents Oxfam in relationships with Oxfam affiliates, OI, allies, and other civil society organizations.

Strategy:

In conjunction with the Director of Policy and Research, Vice President, Special Advisor to the Vice President, and other Directors, develops government relations strategies for particular issues and campaigns.
Contributes to the overall policy, advocacy and campaign planning of Oxfam America and Oxfam International.

Management:

Responsible for managing OA’s government affairs office and staff and ensuring appropriate levels of expertise for engagement in both the House and the Senate, with relevant federal agencies, with international development and financial institutions, and with allies and partners.
Provides overall guidance, management direction, development and coaching to the government affairs staff.
Manages OA’s relationship with outside governmental relations organizations and firms contracted by OA to provide overall government affairs and policy guidance.
Works closely with the Vice President and Directors in developing and implementing the budget for government affairs activities.
In close coordination with the Director of Outreach and Organizing, campaign managers, the Special Advisor to the Vice President, and the Vice President, assists in aligning and guiding the government affairs and legislative strategy of OAs legislative campaigns.
Tracks and coordinates OAs lobbying and legislative activities and ensures compliance with federal lobbying rules. .
Promotes the efficiency, effectiveness and overall accountability of OA’s government affairs work.

Stakeholder Coordination:

Facilitates a high level of collaboration between internal Oxfam stakeholders and seeks to ensure close coordination and collaboration between the DC and Boston OA offices on matters related to government affairs and political activity in OA’s policy and campaign efforts.
Works with the Director of Outreach and Organizing to guide the development of important external relationships with strategic partners and allies.
Maintains working relationships with Members of Congress and their staffs, policy makers in executive agencies, and leaders in key for profit and not for profit organizations in conjunction with the Director of Policy and Research and the Vice President for Policy and Communications.

EXPECTATIONS FOR THE POSITION:

S/he will work effectively and collaboratively in support of building a team-based culture of work, in promoting the development and training of staff, will perform all duties appropriately for a multi-cultural environment, treating all persons with dignity and respect, and will be familiar with and committed to Oxfam America mission and goals.
S/he will be a visible leader and spokesperson for Oxfam and represent OA at numerous congressional, executive branch, and other agency functions. Must be able to attend meetings, events and functions on some evenings and weekends.
S/he will provide clear direction and guidance to staff and contribute to overall efforts to set realistic and measurable goals and objectives for OAs government affairs work that are to be reached in an efficient and effective manner.
Will require an ability to juggle multiple tasks, to work extended hours when necessary, and to keep the Vice President, Special Advisor to the VP, and others in the OA leadership fully informed about ongoing activities and issues within his/her area of responsibility.
The incumbent will stay abreast of professional standards, trends and issues affecting this set of responsibilities, demonstrating continuous learning of the field.
International and domestic travel will be required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

Graduate degree in relevant field (e.g. political science, government affairs, international development).

Experience and Core Competencies:

Work experience in Congress, an administrative agency in a legislative role, or an international development or financial institution in a similar capacity.
A minimum of five (5) year’s experience in policy and advocacy work related to international issues, development, or a related field.
An in-depth familiarity with the mechanics of policy making; the workings of the Congress, administrative agencies, international development and financial institutions; politics; and the legislative process.
Ability to develop and maintain relationships with key policymakers, their staffs, and key allies and partners.
Strong policy analysis and strategic planning skills.
Ability to organize and implement effective policy and legislative campaigns.
Ability to grasp and communicate complex policy and political issues effectively in written form and through public speaking, broadcast media, etc.
Proven ability to recruit, motivate and manage staff.
Demonstrated ability to work as a part of a team in developing and implementing a legislative campaign.
Affinity for the aims and purposes of Oxfam America.

Preferred:

Knowledge of lobbying rules as they apply to 501(c)3 and (c)4 organizations.
Experience in a relevant medium to large-scale organization.

Desired:

Experience within a multi-location organizational setting.
Professional experience abroad.
Ability to communicate in Spanish

Please see our How to Apply page for application information. Oxfam America is an Equal Opportunity Employer.