Senior Managing Director, Global Policy and Public Affairs

Unicef USA; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 200,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

UNICEF USA seeks a Senior Managing Director, Global Policy and Public Affairs, to lead a team shaping federal policy and funding for children worldwide. The role drives outreach to U.S.

policymakers, builds coalitions, and oversees advocacy plans with close collaboration with senior leadership in Washington. The position requires deep Washington policy experience, strong writing and speaking skills, and a commitment to UNICEFUSA’s mission to help children globally.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 12 years of advocacy, policy or political experience.
• Bachelor’s degree required; MA/MS degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Government, or Law degree strongly preferred.
• Direct experience with and strong working knowledge of the U.S. Government and the political landscape in Washington.
• Experience working with Congress, specifically regarding the appropriations process, preferred.
• Experience or demonstrated familiarity with international development preferred.
• Ability to work in a non-partisan environment to advance UNICEF USA’s mission on behalf of the world’s children in a bipartisan way.
• Strong writing, public speaking, and coalition-building skills. Demonstrated experience managing, developing, and mentoring staff, preferably within a global policy, public affairs, and/or government relations-related environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to UNICEF USA’s and UNICEF’s stated mission(s).

Responsibilities

• Lead a Government Relations and Public Affairs strategy focused on Congress, Congressional staff, Executive Branch officials, and third-party validators/skeptics across Washington and the United States to advance UNICEF USA global advocacy (federal) priorities.
• Influence and advance legislation/funding through U.S. Government appropriations and funding to support UNICEF USA’s mission.
• Define and refine UNICEF USA’s policy and advocacy priorities annually.
• Serve as a spokesperson for UNICEF USA on policy issues including foreign policy and foreign aid.
• Engage with U.S. stakeholders including NGOs, coalitions, think-tanks, commodity groups, and trade associations on policy initiatives.
• Participate and play leading role in advocacy groups and coalitions supporting UNICEF USA’s mission.
• Oversee the Global Policy and Public Affairs team to deepen U.S. public sector support for foreign assistance and humanitarian engagement.

Skills

Public policy

Coalition-building

Government relations

Policy analysis

Written & oral communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

MA/MS in Public Policy or related

Job description

Position: Senior Managing Director, Global Policy and Public Affairs

Location: Washington, D.C.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Overview

The Senior Managing Director, Global Policy and Public Affairs leads a team that drives the organization\'s efforts to influence and advance federal policies that positively impact children and to secure funding from the U.S. Government, mainly through appropriations, in support of UNICEF\’s global work. The team leads outreach to U.S. policymakers and mobilizes support through coalitions and with UNICEF USA partners, volunteers, and influencers. The Senior Managing Director reports to UNICEF USA\’s Chief Legal and Global Policy Officer to develop a strategy that delivers on this objective with close involvement from UUSA\’s CEO.

The SMD guides and inspires the Global Policy and Public Affairs team to implement this strategy and actively manage government relations and public affairs plans and will lead engagement with external stakeholders to advance the team\’s work.

Responsibilities

• Lead a Government Relations and Public Affairs (advocacy) strategy focused on Congress, Congressional staff, Executive Branch officials, and third-party validators/skeptics across Washington and the United States to advance UNICEF USA global advocacy (federal) priorities.
• In line with this federal advocacy strategy, lead the process to influence and advance legislation/funding to secure the following – through U.S. Government appropriations and funding – which support UNICEF USA\’s mission to ensure every child is healthy, educated, protected and respected: (1) core resources ($175 million in FY 27); (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.
• Lead the process to define and refine UNICEF USA\’s policy and advocacy priorities annually.
• Serve as a spokesperson for UNICEF USA on specific policy issues including but not limited to foreign policy and foreign aid.
• Lead engagement with U.S. stakeholders including select NGOs, coalitions, think-tanks, commodity groups, and/or trade associations on policy initiatives and issues relevant to UNICEF core resources, foreign aid, and international food assistance.
• Participate and play leading role in advocacy groups and coalitions that support UNICEF USA\’s mission and purpose.
• Oversee Managing Director of Global Policy and Public Affairs and team to guide and strengthen efforts that deepen (U.S.) public sector support for foreign assistance, humanitarian assistance, and multilateral engagement.

Position Qualifications

• Minimum of 12 years of advocacy, policy or political experience required; or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Bachelor\’s degree required; MA/MS degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Government, or Law degree strongly preferred
• Direct experience with and strong working knowledge of the U.S. Government and the political landscape in Washington.
• Experience working with Congress, specifically regarding the appropriations process, preferred.
• Experience or demonstrated familiarity with international development preferred.
• Ability to work in a non-partisan environment to advance UNICEF\’s mission on behalf of the world\’s children in a bipartisan way.
• Strong writing, public speaking, and coalition-building skills. Demonstrated experience managing, developing, and mentoring staff, preferably within a global policy, public affairs, and/or government relations-related environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to UNICEF USA\’s and UNICEF\’s stated mission(s).