US Advocacy Advisor

Center for Civilians in Conflict; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 76,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life & disability insurance

Flexible leave

Retirement plan match

Job summary

Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) seeks an US Advocacy Advisor in Washington, DC, for a hybrid role combining advocacy, research, and cross-organizational coordination. You will lead projects on US use of force, security cooperation, and civilian harm, engaging in direct advocacy and coalition-building with diverse stakeholders.

The ideal candidate has strong policy experience, excellent written and verbal communication, and the ability to manage multiple initiatives while representing

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in law, international affairs, human rights, or related field plus 5+ years in policy advocacy or humanitarian affairs.
• Strong knowledge of US foreign and national security policy and international law.
• Experience engaging with US government officials (Executive, Congress) to advance advocacy goals.
• Experience with civil society advocacy on US foreign policy.

Responsibilities

• Conduct policy and legal research; draft reports, briefs, and advocacy products.
• Advocate to and educate US government officials on civilian protection and security cooperation.
• Lead or coordinate civil society coalitions to achieve program objectives.
• Review CIVIC US and coalition products for policy and legal alignment.
• Represent CIVIC at external events and in media appearances.

Skills

Policy advocacy

Research methods

Written communication

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Education

MA/MS or JD degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Job description

About the Position

CIVIC’s US Program promotes the adoption of US government policies that help to track, prevent, mitigate, and respond to harm experienced by civilians in armed conflict. Our primary focus includes prevention and accountability for civilian harm related to US military operations, security cooperation activities, and conventional arms transfers. We also lead and work closely in coalitions and campaigns to strengthen transparency, accountability, and oversight of US national security policies and practices.

The US Advocacy Advisor will support an ambitious program of work that includes advocacy, research, and cross-organizational coordination with other CIVIC programs and country offices. The Advisor will lead projects and initiatives around US use of force, security cooperation, and civilian harm, including engaging in public and private direct and coalition-based advocacy; leading civil society coalitions; conducting advocacy-relevant research and analysis; coordinating project events; publishing policy briefs, reports, and op-eds; and representing CIVIC to external audiences, US policymakers, and the media.

This position requires independence, versatility, tact, and strong communication and project management skills. The ideal candidate enjoys variety in their daily work; embraces innovation; excels at relationship and trust building with diverse stakeholders; can write clearly and succinctly; is detail oriented with an eye for big picture; is able to communicate effectively with peers and supervisors and “manage up”; and while professional at all times, is comfortable with and committed to advocating on behalf of people and communities affected by conflict.

This is a full-time role based in Washington, DC on a hybrid work schedule. Washington-based employees are expected to be in CIVIC’s northwest DC office twice weekly. In-person meetings elsewhere in Washington, DC are frequent. The Advisor reports to the US Director. Opportunities may arise for 5–10% travel.

Application Deadline: September 29, 2026

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $76,014–$93,116 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

• employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage
• life and disability insurance
• flexible leave package
• 403(b)-retirement savings plan with employer-matched contributions of up to 5% of salary

Key Functions

• Conducts and supports policy and legal research and analysis for US program outputs and advocacy, including drafting of formal reports, articles, briefs, and advocacy products.
• Advocates to and educates the US government, including executive branch and Congress, regarding the protection of civilians and security cooperation.
• Leads, coordinates, and/or supports civil society coalitions to achieve US Program objectives.
• Conducts policy and legal review of CIVIC US and coalition products.
• Conducts analysis of legal texts, policy documents, and norms relevant to the job function.
• Arranges and participates in (or prepares the US Director for) meetings and events with government officials, Congressional staff, and others.
• Represents CIVIC and the US Program in public and private fora, including public events and with the media;
• Coordinates social and traditional media strategy and content and the dissemination plans for outputs with the CIVIC Communications team.
• Develops and maintains working level contacts in government and with other organizations.
• Attends external (coalition and campaign meetings) and internal meetings on behalf of the US program.
• Tracks US policy developments in select conflict-affected countries and coordinates meetings with officials on behalf of other CIVIC programs.
• Builds capacity of CIVIC staff to implement best practices in area of expertise.
• As required, assists with relevant program management tasks, including contributing to monitoring evaluation, and learning and monthly reporting and assisting with program fundraising and grant writing.

Requirements & Qualifications

• MA/MS or JD degree or equivalent (JD preferred) in law, international affairs, human rights, public policy, security studies, or related fields and at least 5 years of relevant work experience in policy advocacy, human rights, humanitarian affairs, foreign policy, protection of civilians, or related areas.
• Considerable demonstrated knowledge, expertise, and experience with US foreign and national security policy and law, human rights, civilian protection, and/or international law.
• Considerable demonstrated knowledge, expertise, and experience with US government policy advocacy, including familiarity with advocacy tools/approaches and experience engaging with US government officials (e.g., executive branch, Congress) to achieve advocacy goals.
• Experience and familiarity with the civil society landscape engaging in advocacy on US foreign policy.
• Demonstrated high standard of professional ethics and integrity; treats colleagues and others with dignity and respect and exhibits motivation and personal commitment.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills; ability to collaborate and communicate openly across teams.
• Proven ability to introduce new ways of thinking and doing business into an organization.
• Understanding of program lifecycle and optimal points to provide advice and support to strengthen US Program / CIVIC and ways of doing business, consistent with best practices in our field.
• Demonstrated experience or formal education in one or more qualitative research methods.
• Demonstrated ability to write in a clear, concise, and well-organized manner.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, flexibility, resourcefulness, and creative problem-solving skills.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Programs (especially Word and Excel).
• Proficiency in Spanish, French, or Arabic would be an asset.

Valid authorization to work in the United States without the need for current or future visa sponsorship.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

CIVIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. CIVIC does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, personal appearance, matriculation, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence or business, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Due to the high volume of applications, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.