Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 28 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 55 countries, our 8,990 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

Action Against Hunger USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network. As an independent NGO, Action Against Hunger USA currently manages operations in 8 countries: Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia and Haiti.

I. Job Summary

As a member of Action Against Hunger USA’s Technical Leadership Team, the Associate Director for US Government Relations will oversee Action Against Hunger’s engagement and positioning with the US Administration, Congress and Washington, DC-based advocacy coalitions and working groups. The incumbent will work closely with the Director of Technical Services, the Director of Resource Mobilization, the CEO, and the Associate Director for Global Advocacy to define strategic priorities, keep the network apprised of USG related foreign assistance developments, facilitate access to and engagement with high level government officials in both the legislative and executive branch, and position the ACF brand within the broader USG landscape.

Purpose: Monitors and influences developments within the US Foreign Assistance environment, develops and oversees implementation of Action Against Hunger USA’s US Government engagement strategy; mobilizes resources to achieve engagement objectives; and contributes to organizational efforts to positively influence the policies and practice of the USG to achieve the organization’s goal of ending hunger.

Engagement: Stays apprised of priorities and developments within the Action Against Hunger network, engages regularly with the ACF US Technical and Resource Mobilization teams, builds partnerships and coalitions with Washington DC-based non-governmental organizations, research and policy institutes, think tanks, and engages Congressional and Administration representatives to positively influence US government policies and practices to end hunger and undernutrition.

Delivery: Monitors Congressional appropriations processes and Administration policies and positions on US foreign assistance. In conjunction with the Director of Technical Services, provides regular updates on US Government policies, appropriations and other developments to the CEO. Formulates ACF positions and perspectives on evolving directions in US foreign assistance and works with leadership and the External Relations team to advance ACF interests and priorities. Facilitates CEO exposure to influential USG stakeholders and within high level USG forums with the aim of positioning the Action Against Hunger brand and influencing USG policy and practice.

II. Essential Job Duties

1. US Foreign Assistance Monitoring and Influencing: Stay abreast of evolving USG foreign assistance policies and directions and support leadership in understanding potential implications for Action Against Hunger.

a. Monitor sources of information on Congressional priorities, legislation, and appropriations processes and maintain an understanding of potential outcomes

b. Participate in relevant policy forums and Congressional briefings, hearings and events

c. Develop and maintain relationships with Congressional staff and others with inside information on the current state of play in Congress.

d. Provide summary updates to leadership and the broader ACF network

e. Formulate positions and recommendations around critical developments

2. USG Stakeholder engagement: Maintain an up-to-date understanding of the structure and leadership within USAID, USDA, CDC, PRM and other key USG agencies and departments and stay apprised of emerging priorities

a. Participate in routine partner meetings with USAID, PRM and others regarding ongoing priorities and partnership opportunities, including the Food Aid Consultative Group among others

b. Stay apprised of ACF’s ongoing humanitarian work, and position as a source of information and context for select government stakeholders on humanitarian needs and operations where ACF is delivering assistance

c. Maintain an up-to-date organizational chart for priority USG agencies and bureaus, including contact information where possible

3. Non-government coalition and partnership building: Together with the Associate Director of Global Advocacy, identify and ensure routine ACF representation in DC-based advocacy forums, including Interaction, the Global Health Council, and the CEO Nutrition Council, and establish and grow relationships with DC-based policy actors and think tanks.

a. In consultation with the Associate Director for Advocacy, define ACF’s strategic positioning within these coalitions and provide guidance and direction to leadership around coalition priorities, positions, and plans

b. Build alliances with NGOs, think tanks, and other actors in Washington, DC to advance ACF priorities

c. Prepare ACF’s leadership team to represent ACF interests to other organizations and in relevant forums, through the development of positions, talking points, decks, and other resources.

d. Play a direct representational role in relevant forums, and assume leadership roles where necessary to advance the ACF agenda

e. Provide summary updates to leadership and the broader ACF network on developments and positioning within these coalitions

4. Congressional positioning: Develop and execute a Congressional outreach plan targeting key Congressional offices to familiarize them with Action Against Hunger’s mission and work, educate them on our issues, and work with them to draft and advance priority legislation and appropriations.

5. Evidence-based Advocacy: In close collaboration with the Associate Director for Global Advocacy, position Action Against Hunger as the “go to” partner in the fight against hunger and undernutrition through the implementation of innovative and evidence-based USG-facing advocacy initiatives.

a. Support the Chief Executive Officer and other members of the Action Against Hunger-USA leadership team in the development and execution of a US government influencing strategy aimed at transforming the US Government’s approach to food and nutrition security.

b. Feature the experience, knowledge, and evidence generated by Action Against Hunger network wide field programming, program learning and research to strategically influence the policies and practices of key US stakeholders most critical to the objective of ending hunger.

c. Position the Chief Executive Officer as a credible voice in Washington, DC, to participate in strategic US Government engagement on food and nutrition security programming and advocacy.

d. Provide ongoing strategic and tactical support to Action Against Hunger staff engaged in US government advocacy.

6. Strategic Communications: Support the Action Against Hunger External Relations Team by reviewing and informing USG policy-related communications for external stakeholders. Support leadership in understanding the implications of network-wide messaging on USG relations and positioning. Lead the development of USG-facing calls to action as part of Action Against Hunger global campaigns and initiatives—including developing messaging, tactics and collateral materials.

7. Resource Mobilization: In close collaboration with the Action Against Hunger Resource Mobilization team, identify and secure advocacy-related funding opportunities.

8. Perform other duties as assigned

III. Supervisory Responsibilities

None

IV. Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with many interruptions. Must be able to proofread own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis.

To travel to the field, the employee must attest to a level of physical fitness capable of enduring physically difficult, highly stressful situations which may include the necessity to walk long distances, to eat a limited diet and/or to reside in potentially uncomfortable housing.

The physical demands described here 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.

V. Working Conditions, Travel and Environment

The duties of the job require regular job attendance at least five days per week. Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required by contact with the country offices, field security, or other obligations.

Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business travel as well as to the missions if appropriate. While visiting the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as to infectious diseases.

VI. Gender Equality Commitments & Zero Tolerance to Abuse

· Foster an environment that reinforces values of women and men, and equal access to information.

· Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.

· Promote a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all stakeholders, particularly for children, beneficiaries, and members of staff.

· Help to prevent any type of abuse including workplace harassment sexual abuse and exploitation.

· Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, and children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sex orientation, disability, religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status.

· Value and respect all cultures.

VII. Required Qualifications

· Minimum post-graduate degree (master’s degree or higher preferred) in International Development, International Relations, Public Policy, Public Health, Political Science, or related field

· Deep familiarity with the US congress, the US Administration, and US government foreign assistance. Existing relationships with US stakeholders in the field of foreign assistance a strong advantage

· A minimum of 10 years’ previous work in public policy and advocacy. Experience with an international humanitarian and development organization strongly preferred

· A minimum of 10 years’ experience engaging with the US government

· Eligibility to work in the US.

VIII. Required Skills & Experience

· Good working relationships with stakeholders within Congress, USAID (BHA, Global Health, BRFS), and PRM, among others.

· Demonstrated success in building alliances and coalitions to address global health, nutrition, food security and resilience.

· Ability to represent the communities where we work with respect and humility.

· Knowledge of humanitarian programming, with particular focus on food and nutrition security responses in fragile and conflict affected settings

· Demonstrated success in development of advocacy products (policy briefs, reports, letters, talking points).

· Strong interpersonal skills

· Ability to manage and prioritize competing demands.

· Ability to present clear ideas and arguments

· Ability to provide and receive feedback.

· Self-starter - proactive and takes initiative.

· Exceptional written and spoken English.