Assistant Director, International Food Assistance Advocacy

Reporting to the Director of Global Policy, the Assistant Director for International Food Assistance Advocacy plays a key role in supporting efforts to develop and execute strategies to advance advocacy for nutrition and food security and outcomes for children globally and in the U.S. that align with UNICEF and UNICEF USA’s priorities. These efforts will establish opportunities to generate visibility and goodwill toward UNICEF and UNICEF USA, 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. 

The Assistant Director works to maintain a robust network of contacts in the U.S. Congress, particularly within the House/Senate Agriculture Committees and House/Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture to support education and advocacy on UNICEF USA’s constituent support for UNICEF-implemented nutrition programs. 

The Assistant Director will be primarily focused on supporting the Director for Global Policy in devising and executing strategies to engage Congress.

The Assistant Director will support the Global Policy team and its activities aimed at driving policy change, engaging with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and supporting coalition building, and informing strategies through data inputs and analysis and use of digital platforms. They will track key performance indicators (KPIs) aligned with our engagement and policy change strategies. 

The ideal candidate will have experience working on Capitol Hill on the agriculture/food security portfolio, with working knowledge of U.S. foreign assistance, and be motivated and passionate about advancing UNICEF USA’s mission, work well in a team, have a problem-solving attitude, and think creatively. Experience working within the federal government on these issues is a plus.

This position is based in Washington, D.C.; candidate must be willing and able to work out of the D.C. office or participate in meetings on/around Capitol Hill and in the D.C. area on a weekly basis.

This role collaborates closely with UNICEF’s Public Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Division (PPR) to ensure cross-team alignment, seamless organizational buy-in, and global support of U.S. advocacy efforts.

•    Bachelor’s degree (BA) or equivalent combination of education and experience required.

•    A minimum of 6 years of related experience in foreign and/or federal policy and legislative affairs, issue-advocacy work, and/or civic engagement, with strong preference for candidates with experience working in the U.S. Congress, either in a personal office or Committee, and associated deep understanding of Congressional practice and policy.

•    Experience working on Capitol Hill on the agriculture/food security portfolio, with working knowledge of U.S. foreign assistance. 

•    Knowledge and experience in the legislative process and familiarity in grassroots and grasstops advocacy. Understanding of international development, humanitarian, and food assistance. 

•    Must be highly organized and possess strong critical thinking skills. Must be analytical, detail-oriented, and self-motivated with demonstrated ability to compile, organize, and analyze data. 

•    Must be a proficient internet researcher and in Microsoft Office (Outlook- 2010 preferred, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint); experience with BBCRM, Quorum, and other CRM/ stakeholder mapping and engagement tools is a plus; social media networking skills/experience a plus.

•    Excellent writing and presentation skills and strong public speaking skills required. Strategic communications background and/or experience developing/editing tailored content for various audiences on a variety of platforms preferred.

•    Must be an excellent team player with strong interpersonal skills, relationship building/management skills, and collaborative approach. 

•    Must possess 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, make responsible decisions, and exercise discretion including considerations for data maintenance and privacy.

•    Knowledge of UNICEF's programs is a plus. 

•    Must share a strong commitment to international humanitarian relief and embrace the mission of UNICEF USA.

•    Master’s degree in public policy, public affairs, international relations, political science, or related field.

•    Experience overseas in settings where UNICEF works.

Don’t meet every single requirement? That’s okay. UNICEF USA values diverse experiences and we’re always looking for people who will add to our culture and further our mission. If you are excited about this role and unsure about whether your past experience aligns with the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway.

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.