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Strategic Issues Advisor for Foreign Aid - D 09 028
Source: Catholic Relief Services (CRS) - USA
VB
| Deadline: | 14 Dec 2009 |
| Organisation: | Catholic Relief Services (CRS) - USA |
| Location: | United States of America |
| Type: | permanent |
| Salary: | TBA (000's USD) |
| Description: | Req.#: D 09 028
Primary Function:
The Foreign Aid Strategic Issues Advisor (SIA) will analyze foreign assistance issues, coordinate formulation and advancement of recommended reforms for and policies on U.S. foreign assistance from the perspective of CRS as an operational, American Catholic relief and development agency, and will also provide input on related civil-military issues. The Advisor will manage support for policy development and advocacy on U.S. foreign assistance based on CRS' experience, strategic framework, and Catholic Social Teaching. Working in Catholic Relief Services' Overseas Support Department (OSD), the Advisor will coordinate policy and advocacy activities with relevant Overseas Support staff, Program Quality Support staff, CRS field-based Regional Directors and country program staff, Advocacy and Legislative Affairs headquarters staff, and with the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The Advisor will staff the executives' engagement with the Administration and Congress on Foreign Aid and Civil-Military issues. Specific Job Responsibilities: 1. POLICY DEVELOPMENT 1. Analyze foreign assistance issues (US and Global) from the perspective of the agency. 2. Coordinate development of recommended reforms for and policies on U.S. foreign assistance in close collaboration with CRS staff, drawing from CRS field experience and Catholic Social Teaching. 3. Develop understanding/knowledge of foreign assistance policy discussions within USAID, the State Department, Department of Defense and other U.S. government agencies and departments 4. Maintain awareness of foreign assistance positions and actions in the broader donor community, including multi-lateral organizations, other bi-lateral donors and European NGOs. 5. Ensure close coordination with CRS staff, including other Issues Advisors, Advocacy and Legislative Affairs, and work in close collaboration with USCCB. 6. Participate in process of determining priorities for CRS engagement on foreign aid issues 7. Ensure appropriate consultation with CRS field and headquarters staff to identify lessons and recommendations about US foreign assistance. 8. Track and analyze relevant legislative proposals impacting foreign assistance; where appropriate, initiate proposals in consultation with Legislative Affairs. 9. Review policy proposals emanating from State/USAID and other parts of the US Administration, and develop CRS' response. 10. Draft issue briefs, policy papers, congressional testimony, congressional letters, talking points, as needed. Develop CRS' contribution to joint USCCB/CRS foreign aid testimony. 11. Ensure timely dissemination of updates to field staff on issues relevant to their work. 12. Manage analysis, development, and approval of CRS policy positions on foreign aid, including annual positions related to foreign aid budgeting and appropriations. 13. Ensure appropriate analysis of and response to relevant civil-military issues (e.g. 1207/1210, CERP) through regular participation in the USIP Civil-Military Task Force and through discussion with other PVOs, organizations and institutions. Focus will be higher level policy, not operational. 2. ADVOCACY 1. Build and utilize relationships with policy makers, institutions and other PVOs to advocate for long-term reform of U.S. foreign assistance. 2. Influence authorizing and appropriations legislation and build support in Congress, State, USAID and other Administration offices, InterAction and potential coalition partners with CRS legislative staff and other Strategic Issues Advisors, as appropriate. Ensure CRS has a leading influential voice and role in foreign aid reform. 3. Draft legislative language expressing CRS' policy positions on foreign aid with Legislative Affairs and Advocacy staff. 4. Develop and implement strategy to influence U.S. administration budget submissions. 5. Maintain CRS visibility and assure input into policy discussions that affect programming and delivery of U.S. foreign assistance. 6. Draft op-eds, letters to the editor, and articles on development assistance with CRS Media Relations. 7. Analyze and contribute to strategy and content development for CRS poverty and foreign aid campaigns, including content review of grassroots advocacy materials. 8. Contribute as needed to education efforts supporting grassroots and grasstops advocacy. 3. REPRESENTATION Support Executives' representation at the highest levels by: 1. Participating in and maintaining agency leadership in coalitions on foreign assistance, including Inter-Action and other organizations. 2. Assure appropriate representation to the U.S. Administration, including State, NSC, Treasury, DoD, the U.S. Trade Representative and USAID's policy office. 3. Develop and maintain strong working relationships with other CRS staff, PVOs, think tanks, and administration officials. 4. OTHER 1. Related activities, as required. Supervisory Responsibilities: None Key Working Relationships: Internal: Executives, Strategic Issues Advisors, Advocacy and Legislative Affairs, Community Engagement, Program Quality, Field Managers and Staff, Overseas Support External: State/USAID, NSC, DoD, Congressional Staff, Interaction, US Conference of Catholic Bishops, other PVOs, academic institutions and think tanks. Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: 1. Demonstrated strong experience researching, developing, analyzing, and communicating US public policy. 2. Demonstrated superior written and verbal communication skills, including strong representation skills at high level meetings. 3. Demonstrated interpersonal, teamwork, leadership skills; demonstrated interest in and ability to work collaboratively as part of a cross-departmental, cross-divisional team. 4. Experience in successful coalition building and networking. 5. Strong knowledge of U.S. foreign policy and U.S. foreign assistance. 6. Strong understanding of CRS mission, strategy and unique approach to partnerships; 7. Ability to work under pressure and to prioritize among multiple tasks with appropriate engagement of agency senior management. 8. Proven ability to use office productivity software currently in use at CRS. 9. Must be available and able to travel frequently to DC and occasionally to CRS field offices. Qualifications: 1. Education: Masters in Public Policy, Political Science, International Relations, International Development or other related field required. 2. Minimum of 5 years of NGO overseas program management experience in a developing country, preferably with a faith-based organization. 3. Minimum 3-5 years public policy and U.S. foreign assistance advocacy experience. 4. Knowledge or awareness of civil military issues, strongly preferred. 5. Experience working with the Catholic church, strongly preferred. 6. Proven leadership skills in field of foreign aid. EOE/M/F/D/V NOTE: All interested applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. at the time of application. To apply please visit www.crs.org/about/careers |
