Senior Policy Advisor, US Foreign Assistance

Company Description

Oxfam is a global organization that fights inequality to end poverty and injustice. We offer lifesaving support in times of crisis and advocate for economic justice, gender equality, and climate action. We demand equal rights and equal treatment so that everyone can thrive, not just survive.

Job Description

COORDINTES WITH

Government Relations & Public Policy team; Humanitarian team; Humanitarian Emergencies and Global Threats campaign team; Economic Justice team; Research Department; Oxfam country and regional teams. Works closely with external stakeholders including coalitions, networks, partners.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The Senior Policy Advisor, US Foreign Assistance will support Oxfam’s longstanding work engaging the United States government on the need to strengthen and shift its approach to foreign assistance and use the current aid landscape to present a new vision for US foreign assistance that confronts power asymmetries and inequality, advances justice, and helps to better define the US role in the world through doing so. Oxfam US (OUS) already possesses a strong focus and capacity on humanitarian assistance, reform, and system transformation; this position will help Oxfam expand its focus beyond humanitarian and develop its vision for the future of US foreign assistance, centering economic justice and rights in dignity and crisis. It would engage the need for change premised on the significant developments of the last year and longstanding critiques of foreign assistance, alongside other leading organizations in this space.

The position will also help lead Federal policy advocacy work for Oxfam on these issues.

This position will work closely with the Government Relations and Public Policy team and with the Humanitarian and Economic Justice teams to ensure Federal policy advocacy aligns with existing Oxfam’s policy agenda and the future of foreign assistance policy development supports the organization’s broader global vision.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

•Coordinate the design of updated OUS policy positions and lead the writing of a paper (or series of papers) on the future of US foreign assistance including funding and infrastructure; work to include conducting literature reviews, key information interviews (internal to Oxfam and externally), and convening internal discussions to ensure alignment with Oxfam’s broader policy agenda.
•Serve as policy lead on US foreign assistance funding and spending, coordinating closely with Government Relations and Public Policy team and existing Humanitarian Policy lead
•Continuously monitor policy landscape in order to inform Oxfam’s policy advocacy work in Washington, including helping ensure the highest possible funding levels of effective foreign assistance (especially lifesaving humanitarian aid)

•Serve as Oxfam representative in coalitions to keep foreign assistance visible and popular in Congress and public dialogue, alongside existing Oxfam representatives in such spaces
•Conduct lobby meetings and visits with Congressional offices as needed
•Serve as occasional Oxfam spokesperson on USG policy on foreign assistance
•Provide senior policy expertise across OUS and broader confederation spaces, supporting OUS advocacy and campaigning work, Government Relations coordination, the Humanitarian team, confederation aid discussions, and other relevant groups as needed
•Facilitate coordination of internal working group that convenes key Oxfam staff for periodic discussions and planning

POSITION EXPECTATIONS

•Demonstrate Continuous Learning: Stay current on developments in U.S. foreign assistance policy, funding trends, engagement strategies, and global humanitarian policy. Apply learning to strengthen OUS advocacy, policy, and external engagement.
•Build Collaborative Relationship: Work effectively across functions and teams to support a unified, team-based work culture. Treat all people with dignity and respect.
•Commit to Equity and Inclusion: Apply a working knowledge of gender justice, racial equity, and inclusive practices in all policy approaches and external engagement. Contribute to Oxfam’s mission to center equity in public engagement and leadership.

•Promote a Safe and Respectful Environment: Uphold Oxfam’s safeguarding policies and Code of Conduct. Ensure staff experience a culture of safety, mutual respect, and accountability.
•Support Strategic Engagement: Contribute to advancing OUS advocacy priorities by engaging with coalitions, policymakers and other stakeholders to elevate the importance of effective foreign assistance.
•Travel and Availability: Willing to travel domestically up to 10% of the time. Occasional evening and weekend work is required.

Qualifications

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