U.S. Advocacy Manager

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is looking for a U.S. Advocacy Manager, an integral part of the Advocacy and Communications Department.

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Advocacy, the Advocacy Manager leads CPJ’s advocacy with the U.S. Government to shape its press freedom policies, legislation and initiatives, at the federal level and as reflected in its foreign policy. The role is responsible for driving the organization’s engagement with the U.S. Government and Washington D.C.-based organizations and cultivating allies for CPJ’s press freedom and journalist safety efforts in the U.S. and around the world.

This position oversees CPJ’s engagement with Congress, executive branch agencies and departments, among others, and institutionalizes relationships with U.S. policymakers as well as with the broader U.S.-focused policymaking and civil society community in D.C. The Advocacy Manager monitors press freedom developments as they relate to U.S. foreign policy and global influence. This position works closely with the Regional Program and Editorial teams.

A passion for press freedom, deep experience with U.S. government agencies, excellent news judgment, and the ability to work independently and proactively are essential to succeed in this role.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• In consultation with the department director and program staff, identify, develop and implement outreach and advocacy strategies to influence U.S. government stakeholders and their actions to advance CPJ’s priorities.
• Monitor press freedom developments and analyze relevant positions and policies; identify priority institutions and targets for advocacy and cultivate contacts at key departments such as the Department of State and the National Security Council and as needed, others such as the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, and the Department of Justice.
• Serve as an expert resource for program staff seeking to mobilize U.S. support; review or advise on proposed advocacy initiatives, including letters and other public advocacy appeals, ensuring adherence to CPJ standards and practices; where relevant, contribute to CPJ reporting focused on U.S. government actions regarding press freedom.
• Lead staff knowledge and capacity building on U.S. government bodies and targeted engagement for advocacy impact; support CPJ’s program teams in building relationships with appropriate desk officers and U.S. embassies in priority countries.
• Expand CPJ’s reach within the wider Washington D.C. policymaking, civil society and diplomatic community; increase CPJ’s visibility and the use of CPJ data and research in public messaging, hearings, resolutions, and events.
• Lead on the implementation of critical accountability tools for press freedom violations, such as the Khashoggi Ban and the Magnitsky Act, in coordination with program teams.
• Partner with CPJ’s U.S. and Canada Program Coordinator on select domestic advocacy initiatives; coordinate with the E.U. Advocacy Manager to ensure alignment on key issues, approaches, and priorities of transatlantic relevance.
• Draft or contribute to advocacy materials, including policy briefs, memos, press releases, social media content, and talking points, for internal use and/or publication.
• Lead planning and execution of virtual and in-person events; organize visiting delegations; support report launches, panel discussions, and other events CPJ hosts or sponsors.
• Serve as a spokesperson and represent CPJ publicly, as appropriate; contribute to outreach and media relations, including op-ed writing and reputation/crisis management.
• Propose lobbying activities and enforce tracking of such endeavors while ensuring staff awareness, knowledge, and compliance with lobbying.
• Maintain and analyze indicators and benchmarks to track and evaluate the impact of new and existing initiatives involving the U.S. government.
• Actively promote coordination, collaboration, and information sharing within and across teams to maximize results across CPJ’s full set of priority issues and ensure its capacities and expertise are deployed efficiently and effectively in pursuit of the organization’s objectives.
• Participate in wider-ranging departmental initiatives, campaigns and projects, as needed. Manage consultants, projects and related budgets, as necessary; help to mentor junior staff.
• Occasional work on evenings and/or weekends, required. Rotating weekends on-call.

Education/Qualifications and Work Experiences:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum 4 years’ experience in advocacy and campaigning.
• Knowledge of press freedom issues domestically and the U.S. role internationally; understanding of foreign policy and human rights.
• Experience working with the State Department and other executive departments, or government bodies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including effective public speaking and the ability to communicate complex issues both verbally and in written form.
• Capable of managing multiple projects at once and working on hard deadlines.
• Experience leading advocacy initiatives, especially involving the U.S. government.
• Knowledge of media relations and social media.

Preferred: 

• Experience working in partnership or coalitions with NGOs or advocacy groups.
• Fluency in a second language beyond English.
• Experience in journalism.
• Experience with rapid response and/or crisis management.
• Familiarity with lobbying regulations.

Additional Qualifications, Characteristics, and Competencies:

• Commitment to, and passion for, press freedom and the mission and values of the Committee to Protect Journalists.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent news judgment
• Ability to analyze and think strategically, strong problem solver.
• Highly organized, with keen attention to detail.
• Ability to set priorities, manage several tasks and priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, and work well both independently and in a team environment.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Carrying equipment for events, walking around Capitol Hill for meetings.

This position will be based in Washington, D.C., but working remotely. It will be possible to lease a co-working space if that is the successful candidate’s preference. Occasional travel as needed.

This advocacy manager position is part of a collective bargaining unit represented by the Writers Guild of America, East.

To apply please click here.