David Paul Policy Fellow

AFSC job board; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) is a Quaker organization located in Washington, DC, promoting lasting peace with justice. The David Paul Policy Fellow supports AFSC’s public policy and advocacy work, applying academic, community-based, and professional knowledge to analyze developments, produce advocacy materials, and engage policymakers and coalitions.

The fellowship offers opportunities for learning and professional development in policy and advocacy, with hybrid in-office

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Political Science or related field.
• Minimum 1 year of relevant policy, advocacy, or research experience.
• Ability to research and analyze policy issues and synthesize information from multiple sources.
• Available to work evenings/weekends and travel as required.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and related technology.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines in a high-volume environment.
• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and to Quaker values.

Responsibilities

• Support thematic policy staff to advance AFSC’s policy goals and strategic plan.
• Gather, analyze, and share information from hearings, coalitions, and other sources.
• Draft communications and advocacy materials for policymakers and advocates.
• Schedule and participate in congressional and agency meetings with staff and visiting experts.
• Coordinate advocacy days, briefings, trainings, webinars, and events.
• Expand AFSC’s social media engagement on policy issues.

Skills

Policy research

Advocacy

Policy analysis

Written communications

Public policy

Stakeholder engagement

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Political Science

Equivalent education/experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker religious organization that promotes lasting peace with justice, as a practical expression of faith in action. Drawing on continuing spiritual insights and working with people of many backgrounds, we nurture the seeds of change and respect for human life that transform social relations and systems.

Join Our Team! Make A Difference.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

JOB CATEGORY: Non-Exempt (Hourly)

STATUS: Full-Time

TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT: Specific Term, One year

DIRECT SUPERVISOR: Director of Public Policy and Strategy

LOCATION: Washington, D.C., USA Hybrid, two days per week in-office required.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: November 9, 2026

GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION

The David Paul Policy Fellow serves as an integral member of AFSC's public policy and advocacy team, contributing to policy research, analysis, advocacy strategy, and grassroots engagement in support of AFSC's mission and strategic priorities. Working collaboratively with OPPA staff, the Fellow applies relevant academic, community-based, or professional knowledge to analyze policy developments, develop advocacy materials, and support engagement with policymakers and coalition partners. The fellowship also provides opportunities for continued learning and professional development in public policy and advocacy.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Support thematic policy staff in a range of functions to advance AFSC’s strategic plan goals related to policy change.
• Contribute to strategy and planning processes to identify openings, key contacts, and priority activities.
• Gather, analyze, and share information from congressional hearings, coalition meetings, and other sources.
• Draft communications and advocacy materials for a range of audiences, including policymakers, grassroots advocates, and others.
• Schedule, support, and participate in congressional and agency meetings for staff and visiting experts from the field on a range of issues relevant to AFSC experience and policy concerns.
• Coordinate advocacy days, briefings, trainings, webinars, and other events.
• Expand AFSC’s social media engagement for policy change.
• Occasional travel for meetings and conferences.
• Regular attendance and punctuality are required.
• Operates safely in all conditions and follows policies and procedures.
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as Political Science, Public Policy, International Relations, Sociology, Social Justice, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education, community-based learning, lived experience, and relevant policy research or advocacy experience, preferred.
• Minimum of one (1) year of relevant applied experience in public policy, advocacy, research, legislative affairs, or related work. Qualifying experience may be gained through paid employment, internships, community-based advocacy, volunteer service, or substantive academic research and policy projects.
• Demonstrated ability to research and analyze policy issues, synthesize information from multiple sources, prepare written materials for different audiences, and contribute to policy advocacy and engagement activities.
• Ability to work evenings and/or weekends and to travel, as required.
• Ability to work effectively independently and within a team environment.
• Experience with standard Microsoft Office and related technology.
• Must be capable of working under tight time constraints in a high-volume environment with multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.
• Respect for Quaker values and testimonies. Knowledgeable and supportive of the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee including non-violence and the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.
• Respect for and sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, racial, gender and religious diversity and familiarity with non-violent approaches to problem solving.
• Ability to organize, plan ahead and prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated dedication to the principles of fairness, equity and inclusion in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

COMPENSATION

The AFSC offers a competitive Total Rewards package. This position is Non-Exempt Salary Family: Fellow Job Code Fellow Minimum Starting Salary $53,000. Comprehensive medical and hospitalization plan; term life, Short Term Disability & Long Term Disability, defined benefit pension plan, 403b match, plus other benefits including vacation, Paid Time Off, sabbaticals, extended leaves, holidays.

The American Friends Service Committee provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. The policy applies to all terms and conditions or employment including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

AFSC’s Central Office and some of its offices in the U.S. are unionized workplaces. This position is represented.

AFSC maintains a deep commitment to a mandate of care for our staff and communities. The American Friends Service Committee is a smoke-free workplace.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This position is an at-will employment, meaning that the employment relationship can be terminated by either the employer or the employee at any time, for any reason, with or without notice. In addition position duties and expectations change over time. This job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive, exclusive or exhaustive list of the job functions that an employee in this position may be asked to perform from time to time. The employee may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. If there is ever a time that you are unsure what is expected of you, you are expected to meet with your manager and ask questions. If you are unsure how to perform a certain task, ask your manager before performing.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.