Reporting to the Vice President of Global Policy and Public Affairs, the Director of Public Affairs is a strategic leader responsible for driving efforts to develop and execute public affairs and advocacy strategies that deepen the U.S. public’s support for child rights and foreign assistance, including development and humanitarian assistance and international food assistance, particularly as related to promoting healthy outcomes and opportunities for children in settings where UNICEF works.

The Director is responsible for conceiving, executing, and evaluating the efficacy of—in partnership with other UUSA departments and external networks/coalitions—comprehensive public affairs and advocacy campaigns (including grassroots and grasstops) in pursuit of UUSA policy goals and priorities.

Public affairs and advocacy strategies will include but not be limited to: mobilizing UUSA constituents and influencers (e.g., ambassadors; donors; corporate partners; youth; faith-based organizations); executing Calls to Action (CTA) and other ad/message placement; crafting op-eds and other materials; as well as designing and executing advocacy-focused events in Washington, D.C. and target states.

The Director will collaborate closely with the Director of Global Policy to develop public affairs and advocacy campaigns tailored to federal government officials and Congressional targets on Capitol Hill.

The ideal candidate will be a public affairs leader with a proven track record of utilizing the full suite of tactics to advance public affairs and advocacy objectives. The ideal candidate will also be deeply familiar with the federal policymaking process, have led public affairs and advocacy campaigns, and be passionate about advancing UNICEF USA’s mission.

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

This role collaborates closely with partners across UUSA to ensure seamless organizational buy-in and support of advocacy efforts.

Position Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive public affairs and advocacy campaigns (including grassroots and grasstops) in pursuit of UUSA’s global policy (federal) goals and priorities, with a focus on U.S. appropriations for UNICEF, child-centered foreign assistance funding, and international food assistance.
• In partnership with the Vice President, Global Policy & Public Affairs and Director of Global Policy, lead the organization’s federal advocacy strategy to influence and advance legislation/funding to secure the following – through U.S. Government appropriations and funding – which support UNICEF USA’s mission to ensure every child is healthy, educated, protected and respected: (1) UNICEF core resources; (2) funding for UNICEF’s programmatic work globally; (3) funding for foreign aid programs that support children globally; and (4) international food assistance and UNICEF’s work on nutrition.
• As part of UUSA’s federal advocacy strategy – and in partnership with departments across UUSA – conceptualize and lead execution of public affairs and advocacy campaigns that include the following components: mobilize UUSA constituents and influencers (e.g., ambassadors; donors; corporate partners; youth; faith-based organizations); execute Calls to Action (CTA) and other ad/message placement; craft op-eds and other materials. This includes conceptualizing and executing UUSA’s annual “Hill Day,” local community events with supporters in priority districts/states, and high level policy shaping-focused events in Washington DC.
• As part of UUSA’s federal advocacy strategy, collaborate closely with the Director of Global Policy to develop and execute public affairs and advocacy campaigns tailored to influence key Congressional Committees which govern authorizing and appropriating funding for the 4 funding lines outlined above. This includes committees that authorize/appropriate core resources and foreign aid and committees that authorize/appropriate Agriculture resources that fund international food assistance.
• Work alongside the Vice President of Global Policy and Public Affairs to cultivate and maintain effective relationships and serve as a relationship manager with key external stakeholders including select NGOs, coalitions, think-tanks, commodity groups, and/or trade associations who can help influence and/or advance U.S. appropriations for UNICEF, foreign assistance funding, and international food assistance.
• Participate in meetings involving federal government officials, including Members of Congress and their staff, that advance UUSA policy goals and priorities and Executive Branch agencies that allocate appropriated funding including the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
• Raise UNICEF USA’s visibility and credibility with policymakers and policy influencers through media/communications, publications, and events.
• Contribute to the development of engagement materials and advocacy toolkits to further the federal policy priorities outlined above.
• Serve as the Global Policy and Public Affairs team’s primary focal point for meetings and events with other UNICEF National Committees and with the UNICEF global advocacy teams.
• Partner with the Vice President, Global Policy and Public Affairs, to develop public affairs content including talking points, messaging, op-eds, and social shareables.
• Supervise other staff in the Public Affairs team.
• Support other duties and initiatives as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (BA) with a minimum of 10 years of experience in public affairs and issue-advocacy work, with a focus on international development policy and legislative affairs.
• Must have strong knowledge and experience in public affairs, grassroots and grasstops advocacy, international development, and child rights issues.
• Knowledge and understanding of UNICEF’s priority policy areas.
• Strong political acumen combined with interpersonal skills, discretion in handling confidential information, and an executive presence that inspires trust and confidence.
• Highly organized, strong critical thinking skills, analytical, detail oriented, self-motivated; ability to thrive in a fast-paced, creative, and evolving team.
• Demonstrated ability to compile, organize and 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, presentation, and public speaking skills required.
• Strategic communications background and/or experience developing/editing tailored content for various audiences on a variety of platforms.
• Excellent team player with strong interpersonal skills, relationship building/management skills, and collaborative approach.
• 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 apply sound judgment and make responsible decisions, and exercise discretion including considerations for data maintenance and privacy.
• Must share a strong commitment to international humanitarian relief and embrace the mission of UNICEF USA.

Preferred Qualifications (as applicable):

• Master’s degree in public policy, public affairs, international relations, political science, or related field.
• Experience working in the U.S. Executive Branch or on Capitol Hill.
• Experience overseas in settings where UNICEF works.