Advocacy Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to serve the poor and vulnerable overseas, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, providing relief and development assistance without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The organization is committed to improving the lives of those in need through various programs, including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS has a collaborative, mission-driven culture and welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values. The agency prioritizes safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, reflecting its commitment to the dignity and rights of all people. The organization has a diverse workforce and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment for its staff and the communities it serves.

Job Overview:
The Advocacy Specialist will play a crucial role in developing, leading, and implementing an advocacy strategy that aligns with the agency's priority advocacy activities. This includes areas such as U.S. foreign policy, global hunger, global health, emergency response, international assistance funding, aid effectiveness and reform, climate change, and specific regional or country issues. The Specialist will work to advance CRS's issues in Congress and within the Executive Branch, collaborating with various partners, including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and other coalitions, to ensure that U.S. government policy and funding decisions create a supportive environment for CRS programming. The position requires a proactive approach to advocacy, utilizing strategic communication and relationship-building skills to influence policy outcomes that promote integral human development and address social injustices.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Advocacy Specialist will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including: developing and leading the U.S. government advocacy and outreach strategy on sectoral and regional priorities; representing CRS at events and meetings with congressional offices and relevant administration departments; initiating and arranging meetings for CRS board members and executives; planning and coordinating communications to advocacy targets; developing resources such as policy briefs and fact sheets; soliciting and synthesizing CRS overseas experiences for policy development; working with country programs and technical staff to establish advocacy objectives; organizing advocacy tours for high-level partners; convening meetings with U.S. government officials and diplomatic corps members; collaborating with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; providing advice on constituent engagement; developing advocacy presentations and trainings; communicating updates on U.S. policy developments; and supporting team processes to assess advocacy efforts.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs, Political Science, Business Administration, Public Policy, or a related field, with a relevant Master’s degree preferred. A minimum of eight years of work experience in advocacy or a related field is required, along with demonstrated performance in developing and implementing advocacy strategies. Candidates should have a working knowledge of Catholic Church organizational structures and Catholic Social Teaching, as well as experience with web-based collaboration and communication technologies, including Microsoft Office 365, Salesforce, and Adobe Connect.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as International Affairs, Political Science, Business Administration, or Public Policy. A Master’s degree in a related discipline is preferred, indicating a higher level of expertise and understanding of the complexities involved in advocacy and policy development.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least eight years of relevant work experience, demonstrating a strong background in advocacy, policy development, and engagement with governmental and non-governmental organizations. Experience in a non-profit or governmental setting is highly desirable, particularly in roles that involve direct interaction with policy-making processes and advocacy efforts.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory for this position. While a second language such as French, Spanish, or Arabic is preferred, it is not a strict requirement. The ability to communicate effectively in multiple languages can enhance the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and constituents.

Additional Notes:
This position does not specify a deadline for applications. The role may require travel within the U.S. or internationally, up to 10% of the time, and candidates should be prepared to work flexible hours, including nights and weekends as necessary. The position does not have supervisory responsibilities. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a retirement savings plan. For candidates employed outside the U.S., salary and benefits will be based on the local country of employment. CRS is committed to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all individuals, particularly children and vulnerable adults, and candidates are expected to adhere to the agency's Code of Conduct.