Deputy Director of Policy and Advocacy, Eurasia

About Freedom House

Established nearly 80 years ago, Freedom House works to defend and expand freedom globally to help secure a world where all are free. Around the world, antidemocratic forces 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.

About the Policy and Advocacy Team

The policy and advocacy team advocates for leadership by democratic governments to vigorously oppose dictators and oppression and strengthen democracy domestically and around the world. We amplify the voices of those struggling for freedom in repressive societies and counter authoritarian efforts to weaken international scrutiny of their regimes.

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 based in Washington, D.C. 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.

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 the human rights defenders we work with to meet with, brief, and testify before policymakers.

Position Description

The Deputy Director of Policy and Advocacy for Eurasia will play a leading role in crafting Freedom House’s advocacy strategy to strengthen democracy and human rights in Eurasia.

This position will also coordinate Freedom House’s work on key global advocacy priorities and help lead advocacy strategy related to the Summit for Democracy.

Candidates should have detailed knowledge of these issues, and eagerness to grapple with complicated policy questions, and previous experience working on Eurasia issues, on the Summit for Democracy, and with advocating to US and international policymakers. This is a full-time position based in Washington, DC and reports to the Vice President of Policy and Advocacy.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading development of an advocacy strategy related to democracy and human rights challenges in Eurasia, in close coordination with subject matter experts and within the framework of our institutional strategic plan. This would include determining policy positions to take, which USG and other 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.
• Authoring policy recommendations, policy briefs, congressional testimony, op-eds, press releases, talking points, and other advocacy materials as necessary.
• Monitoring developments related to Eurasia and to the Summit for Democracy, including legislative proposals and advocacy initiatives in the United States, to keep colleagues informed and recommend policy positions and advocacy interventions.
• Reviewing and recommending whether Freedom House should sign on to advocacy and coalition letters with partner organizations and other stakeholders around these issues. In addition, identifying and overseeing opportunities for Freedom House to draft and lead on coalition letters.
• Organizing and leading meetings, roundtables, and events, and representing Freedom House at high level engagements related to Eurasia and to the Summit for Democracy.
• Preparing human rights defenders from Eurasia and Freedom House staff for meetings, hearings, briefings, or speaking engagements on these topics .
• Responding to incoming requests from policymakers for information related to these issues.
• Working with research colleagues to determine creative methods of dissemination of findings, and helping organize and participate in briefings of research related Eurasia.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• At least 10+ years of experience directly related policy and advocacy experience, with the ability to demonstrate success at moving legislation or policy positions with bipartisan support.
• Previous employment in the US Senate, US House, US Department of State, USAID, or White House strongly preferred.
• Previous advocacy experience required.
• Previous work on Summit for Democracy and knowledge of Summit process.
• Detailed understanding of issues related to democracy, human rights, and rule of law issues in Eurasia.
• Track record of strategic leadership.
• 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.
• Proven ability to build consensus amongst variety of diverse stakeholders.
• Experience working in Eurasia preferred.
• Fluency in English required.
• Proficiency in regional language strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in international affairs, political science, or a related field required, with Master’s degree strongly preferred.

Skills and Attributes:

• A personal belief in and commitment to the inherent value of freedom, democracy, and human rights.
• Strong writing and analytical abilities, including being able to synthesize large amounts of information, pulling out key points and drafting clear and concise language under tight deadlines.
• Excellent verbal communication and public speaking skills.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize between and manage competing urgent priorities and make progress on several projects simultaneously.
• Ability to assess and recommend policy positions based on Freedom House’s lens toward bipartisan, pragmatic solutions.
• High emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively with multiple people across the organization, navigating a variety of working styles and diverse views, to drive the creation of policy recommendations.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and professional comportment around senior government officials, dignitaries, and CEOs.
• Desire to help create safe, supportive learning and working environment among diverse group of staff.

Additional Information

Candidates must possess authorization to work in the United States.

Freedom House provides a strong benefits package, including a 403(b) retirement account, commuter benefits, flexible summer 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.

Salary is commensurate with experience. Pay grades at Freedom House prioritize equity across the organization.

This role requires daily exposure to potentially distressing news content, research, and personal stories. It may require light domestic and international travel to participate in conferences, briefings, and workshops, and occasional work on nights and weekends for events or during busy legislative sessions.

Staff are currently working remotely due to Covid-19, and Freedom House is continuing to evaluate when, and under what circumstances, staff will return to the office. This position will start remote and will require mandatory relocation to Washington DC once circumstances allow.

Diversity makes our work stronger. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.

EOE M/F/D/V

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, In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Freedom House, please call: 202-227-4308.