Job Description
Job description
About Us The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness, and accountability in government. About the Role The Government Relations Manager works under the direction of the Chief Government Relations and Communications Officer to increase support for international democracy assistance and the work of the organization.
The Manager expands advocacy and external outreach to the U.S. Congress, the Executive Branch and donors to increase support and understanding of NDI's role in promoting international democracy, credible and fair elections, and open and transparent governance. This position will assist in developing strategy to deepen ties with existing democracy champions and expand support, and assist NDI teams across the Institute in external outreach and advocacy.
Your Purpose and Impact:
Manage and develop strategies to engage the U.S. Congress and the Executive Branch to ensure NDI programming is well-known to donors, and teams are actively engaged in coordinated and effective outreach.
Expand congressional outreach with Members of Congress and staff to increase support and understanding of NDI's role in promoting international democracy, credible and fair elections and open and transparent governance.
Manage and maintain persistent and persuasive written and verbal communication to educate the U.S. Congress on legislative policies that promote democracy assistance.
Manage bipartisan congressional strategy and outreach for NDI teams, international staff, visiting members of parliament and democracy partners.
Create and manage strategies to secure long-term funding for democracy promotion through annual appropriations outreach and congressional forms.
Create and manage new opportunities and strategies for Hill engagement, including NDI-sponsored events that feature local partners and highlight democracy defenders.
Create and manage email updates for targeted Hill audiences to provide on-the-ground updates and inform about democratic developments and trends in countries where NDI has programming.
Create, manage and edit talking points and briefing materials that highlight NDI programs to have greatest impact for Hill audiences.
Monitor legislation, congressional hearings and markups on democracy assistance, human rights and foreign policy issues in order to keep NDI teams informed of relevant legislation.
Liaison with NDI teams, including conducting virtual and in-person training for NDI staff and local partners on strategy and best practices for external outreach, advocacy, demonstrating impact and ensuring legal compliance.
Assist the Officer in training and educating other team members on best practices in public advocacy and outreach.
Assist the Officer in onboarding, development of tasks, and day to day management of temporary project assistants on matters pertaining to public advocacy and outreach.
Assist in drafting congressional testimony for NDI experts.
Maintain a strong coalition network within the democracy community, think tanks, academia and allied organizations to maximize NDI's public profile.
Incorporate best practices on external outreach and advocacy into NDI's day-to-day operations.
Act as a back-up for other team members as needed.
Participate in cross-functional initiatives as needed.
Actively seek and engage in professional development opportunities to enhance knowledge in project/program management.
Maintain a general working knowledge of relevant program trends and issues occurring external to NDI.
Perform other duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree required; a combination of experience and education in lieu of degree will be considered.
Minimum of eight years of experience implementing government relations outreach and advocacy strategies.
Excellent oral and written communications skills, including the ability to communicate effectively and project a professional image when giving and receiving information in writing, in person and through various communications media.
Understanding of strategic outreach, advocacy and building the skills capacity of teams.
Demonstrated critical thinking and analytical skills, particularly with audience and stakeholders data and the ability to draw conclusions, determine options and recommend next steps.
Nuanced understanding of audience, and experience working on complex, politically sensitive issues in dynamic environments.
Basic proficiency in Google Suite tools and Microsoft Office preferred.
Excellent organizational, planning and time management skills with demonstrated flexibility and the ability to manage multiple and often changing priorities and issues of varying complexity, while meeting time sensitive deadlines and deliverables.
Attention-to-detail and creating accurate work products with a focus on quality is a must.
Knowledge of WordPress, Salsa and contact management systems a plus.
A high level of confidence, integrity, interpersonal skills, and a professional executive presence for effectively interacting with and influencing others, internal and external to the organization.
Capacity to work effectively both independently and as a member of a team required.
About Us The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness, and accountability in government. About the Role The Government Relations Manager works under the direction of the Chief Government Relations and Communications Officer to increase support for international democracy assistance and the work of the organization.
The Manager expands advocacy and external outreach to the U.S. Congress, the Executive Branch and donors to increase support and understanding of NDI's role in promoting international democracy, credible and fair elections, and open and transparent governance. This position will assist in developing strategy to deepen ties with existing democracy champions and expand support, and assist NDI teams across the Institute in external outreach and advocacy.
Your Purpose and Impact:
Manage and develop strategies to engage the U.S. Congress and the Executive Branch to ensure NDI programming is well-known to donors, and teams are actively engaged in coordinated and effective outreach.
Expand congressional outreach with Members of Congress and staff to increase support and understanding of NDI's role in promoting international democracy, credible and fair elections and open and transparent governance.
Manage and maintain persistent and persuasive written and verbal communication to educate the U.S. Congress on legislative policies that promote democracy assistance.
Manage bipartisan congressional strategy and outreach for NDI teams, international staff, visiting members of parliament and democracy partners.
Create and manage strategies to secure long-term funding for democracy promotion through annual appropriations outreach and congressional forms.
Create and manage new opportunities and strategies for Hill engagement, including NDI-sponsored events that feature local partners and highlight democracy defenders.
Create and manage email updates for targeted Hill audiences to provide on-the-ground updates and inform about democratic developments and trends in countries where NDI has programming.
Create, manage and edit talking points and briefing materials that highlight NDI programs to have greatest impact for Hill audiences.
Monitor legislation, congressional hearings and markups on democracy assistance, human rights and foreign policy issues in order to keep NDI teams informed of relevant legislation.
Liaison with NDI teams, including conducting virtual and in-person training for NDI staff and local partners on strategy and best practices for external outreach, advocacy, demonstrating impact and ensuring legal compliance.
Assist the Officer in training and educating other team members on best practices in public advocacy and outreach.
Assist the Officer in onboarding, development of tasks, and day to day management of temporary project assistants on matters pertaining to public advocacy and outreach.
Assist in drafting congressional testimony for NDI experts.
Maintain a strong coalition network within the democracy community, think tanks, academia and allied organizations to maximize NDI's public profile.
Incorporate best practices on external outreach and advocacy into NDI's day-to-day operations.
Act as a back-up for other team members as needed.
Participate in cross-functional initiatives as needed.
Actively seek and engage in professional development opportunities to enhance knowledge in project/program management.
Maintain a general working knowledge of relevant program trends and issues occurring external to NDI.
Perform other duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree required; a combination of experience and education in lieu of degree will be considered.
Minimum of eight years of experience implementing government relations outreach and advocacy strategies.
Excellent oral and written communications skills, including the ability to communicate effectively and project a professional image when giving and receiving information in writing, in person and through various communications media.
Understanding of strategic outreach, advocacy and building the skills capacity of teams.
Demonstrated critical thinking and analytical skills, particularly with audience and stakeholders data and the ability to draw conclusions, determine options and recommend next steps.
Nuanced understanding of audience, and experience working on complex, politically sensitive issues in dynamic environments.
Basic proficiency in Google Suite tools and Microsoft Office preferred.
Excellent organizational, planning and time management skills with demonstrated flexibility and the ability to manage multiple and often changing priorities and issues of varying complexity, while meeting time sensitive deadlines and deliverables.
Attention-to-detail and creating accurate work products with a focus on quality is a must.
Knowledge of WordPress, Salsa and contact management systems a plus.
A high level of confidence, integrity, interpersonal skills, and a professional executive presence for effectively interacting with and influencing others, internal and external to the organization.
Capacity to work effectively both independently and as a member of a team required.
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Government Relations Manager position is now open for candidates interested in the Government Job Alert sector. This role in Washington offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Government Job Alert is a plus.