Manager, Public Affairs

Unicef USA; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

UNICEF USA seeks a Manager of Public Affairs to drive advocacy strategies that deepen U.S. public sector support for child rights and foreign assistance.

The role involves cultivating adult and youth advocates, coordinating with partners, and delivering campaigns and events that advance UNICEF's policy priorities. Reporting to the Director of Public Affairs, you will build organizing structures, recruit volunteers, design messaging for diverse audiences, and support Hill Day activities across

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with four+ years in civic engagement, public affairs, policy or issue advocacy.
• Knowledge of community organizing, grassroots and grasstops advocacy, and the legislative process.
• Excellent writing, public speaking and presentation skills.
• Experience training advocates and travel within the U.S. required.
• Strategic communications background and ability to tailor messaging for diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute public affairs and advocacy campaigns focusing on U.S. appropriations and foreign assistance.
• Lead advocacy mobilization to build a network of adult advocates in key states.
• Plan regional advocacy events and mobilizations, in person and virtual.
• Prepare advocates for meetings with Congressional offices and Hill Day events.
• Create engagement materials and toolkits highlighting UNICEF's impact and partnerships.
• Coordinate with MarComms and philanthropy to integrate partners into advocacy efforts.
• Draft tailored external communications for advocates in line with strategy.
• Develop messaging for diverse networks to influence legislation and funding.

Skills

Public affairs

Policy advocacy

Community organizing

Volunteer recruitment

Public speaking

Writing

Training advocates

Team collaboration

Project management

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

BBCRM

Quorum

Box

Microsoft Office

Job description

Location: Washington, D.C. or within a commutable distance

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Description

Reporting to the Director of Public Affairs, the Manager will serve as a strategic thought partner responsible for driving efforts to develop and execute public affairs and advocacy strategies that deepen (U.S.) public sector support for child rights and foreign assistance, including development and humanitarian assistance and international food assistance. Public affairs and advocacy strategies will include but not be limited to cultivating new adult advocates and mobilizing existing UNICEF USA constituents in key states and influencers (e.g., ambassadors; donors; corporate partners; youth; academics, faith-based organizations); executing advocacy campaigns featuring Calls to Action (CTA) and constituent email communications; as well as designing and executing advocacy-focused events.

In line with key UNICEF and UNICEF USA priorities, the Manager will support the Director of Public Affairs in the development and implementation of UNICEF USA’s grassroots and grasstops organizing structure, including building adult and youth advocate support in key states for advocacy at the federal level, in coordination with other departments, to achieve UNICEF USA’s objectives. The position also works to support UNICEF USA’s policy agenda through volunteer recruitment, retention, engagement, and stewardship; and maximizing data and digital platforms for advocacy purposes.

Position Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive public affairs and advocacy campaigns (including grassroots and grasstops) in pursuit of UUSA global policy priorities with a focus on U.S. appropriations for UNICEF, child-centered foreign assistance funding, and international food assistance.
• Lead advocacy mobilization efforts to build and manage a network of adult advocates in key states, driving recruitment and sustained engagement to support the organization's federal policy agenda.
• Project-manage a range of regional advocacy events and mobilizations with both internal and external audiences (in person and virtually) in collaboration with the Director.
• Support training and preparation for advocates meeting with Congressional offices and/or attending UUSA events, including local community events and UUSA’s annual Hill Day.
• Initiate the development of engagement materials and advocacy toolkits that highlight UNICEF’s programmatic expertise, unique value, and results achieved through partnership with the U.S. Government.
• Liaise across teams, including Marketing & Communications (MarComms) and Philanthropy (NextGen and Major/Individual Donors) to integrate UNICEF USA partners and constituents into the organization’s advocacy efforts.
• Draft and send tailored external communications content to advocates, consistent with the team’s email and social media advocacy strategy, in partnership with MarComms.
• In collaboration with the Director, develop messaging tailored to various advocate networks and bipartisan audiences to influence and advance legislation/funding to secure the following: (1) 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.
• Support reporting and analysis to inform key operational strategies and proactive and reactive advocacy opportunities to advance UNICEF USA’s goals and KPIs.
• Remain attuned to political dynamics, sensitivities, and happenings related to key Congressional committees of jurisdiction.
• Backstop Director of Public Affairs and other team members when needed in support of collaborative strategy development and execution.
• Support other duties and initiatives as assigned.

All other duties and responsibilities, as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree (BA) with a minimum of four (4) years of related experience in at least one of the following: civic engagement, volunteer recruitment, and organizing; public affairs; policy and legislative affairs; and/or issue- advocacy work.
• Must have knowledge and experience in community organizing, grassroots and grasstops advocacy, the legislative process and/or children's rights issues.
• Excellent writing, public speaking, and presentation skills required.
• Experience supporting trainings for grassroots and/or grasstops advocates required.
• Must be willing and able to travel quarterly within the U.S.Must share a strong commitment to international development and humanitarian relief and embrace the mission of UNICEF USA.
• Strategic communications background and/or experience developing/editing tailored content for various audiences on a variety of platforms preferred.
• 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.
• Ability to be flexible, resourceful, and demonstrate resilience under pressure while remaining results focused.
• Ability to consistently prioritize, apply sound judgment, work autonomously with attention to detail, and make responsible decisions.
• 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.