Overview
The Political Affairs Officer plays a key role in engaging with Congressional and Parliamentary offices and committees, monitoring and reporting on related processes and developments, and supporting FAO's partnerships with the U.S. Congress and Canadian Parliament.
Key Responsibilities
- Engage and build relationships with priority committee and staff of the U.S. Congress and Canadian Parliament to message FAO's added value.
- Monitor and identify national activities relevant to FAO's mandate.
- Support FAO participation in congressional and parliamentary forums.
- Produce a variety of information-related documents and reports and draft replies to inquiries from national partners.
- Support work to tailor FAO thematic issue resources to specific committee priorities and language.
- Work to raise FAO's profile and mobilize increased support for the Organization.
- Cultivate strong working level relationships with issue area organizational counterparts.
- Engage with the broader community around specific thematic issues, including the private sector and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
- Identify actors with the potential to be allies in advocacy to U.S. and Canadian government agencies.
- Support FAO colleagues on duty travel to the region and meetings with members or staff of the U.S. Congress or Canadian Parliament.
- Represent FAOLOW in UN weekly meetings in Washington D.C. to discuss national dynamics/priority areas.
Required Experience
- Five years of relevant experience in development work, interacting with Congressional and Parliamentary partners and with governments, international organizations, including research institutions, civil society and the private sector.
- Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
- Extent and relevance of experience in outreach for international/intergovernmental initiatives, particularly at the international level.
- Extent and relevance of experience in monitoring and advising organizational leadership on critical legislative matters, vote schedules and their significance.
- Extent and relevance of experience in preparing tailored materials for congressional and parliamentary audiences, including fact sheets and talking points.
- Extent and relevance of experience in drafting high-quality written materials for a wide variety of audiences.
- Extent and relevance of experience in the U.S. and Canadian parliamentary processes, offices and committees is desirable.
- Work experience in the multilateral sphere is highly desirable.
Qualifications
• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in communication, social science, journalism, political science, international relations or related fields.
