World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading international conservation organizations, seeks an experienced policy advocate and government relations professional to join its Policy and Government Affairs team to help advance WWF policy and funding priorities with the United States government. The individual will be responsible for developing and leading lobbying and advocacy strategies around WWF priority issues of food system transformation and freshwater policy, working as part of a dynamic and transparent team environment and in close collaboration with relevant WWF substance experts from across the organization. The individual will also be responsible for building and managing strong and positive relationships with U.S. government stakeholders in both Congress and the Administration and for positively promoting WWF’s brand and reputation as well as its access to key decisionmakers and its ability to advance its overall priorities and policy objectives.

Salary Range: $89,600 - $112,100

Please note: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.  In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.  

• Creates, implements, and supports outreach and advocacy strategies to influence U.S. government stakeholders and their actions around one or more WWF priorities. Priorities will include food system strengthening and reducing food loss and waste, domestic and international freshwater access and ecosystem connectivity, and conservation priorities in the Great Plains. 
• Develops and supports lobbying strategies, devising compelling communications to influence U.S. government audiences, creating opportunities to highlight WWF projects and experts, representing WWF on advocacy coalitions with external partners (including leading these at times), and representing WWF and the Policy and Government Affairs team with the full range of external and internal contacts, including via public speaking opportunities on occasion.
• Represents, advocates, and is point of contact with government partners in the administrative and legislative branches on portfolio issues and priorities. Cultivates and manages strong relationships with U.S. government stakeholders to build and maintain WWF’s access and influence and its ability to advance its full range of federal policy priorities.
• Tracks legislation, appropriations, regulatory action, political processes and trends, and individual policymakers and their priorities to identify and capitalize on opportunities for WWF to advance objectives.
• Composes or contributes to memos, fact sheets, case studies, testimony, public comments, policy briefs, presentation materials, and speeches or other verbal remarks to be delivered by WWF representatives, including senior staff and leadership at times. Works with relevant WWF experts and staff, analyzes, redlines, and/or drafts U.S. government policy documents, including legislation, amendments, executive orders, presidential memos, regulations, agency guidance, etc.
• Actively promotes coordination, collaboration, and information sharing within and across teams to maximize results across WWF’s full set of priority issues and ensure its capacities and expertise are deployed efficiently and effectively in pursuit of the organization’s objectives. Collaborates closely with other Policy and Government Affairs staff, particularly where portfolios and responsibilities overlap or are cross-cutting.
• Manages consultants, budgets, and projects, as necessary, and helps to manage and mentor junior staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Key Competencies

• Interpersonal communication skills: Communicates clearly, effectively, and accurately with internal and external audiences, including government stakeholders in Congress and the Administration. Adapts communication style to the appropriate audience and understands the value of different communication and behavioral styles to build rapport and fosters positive relationships and collaboration. Translates technical information into clear and actionable policy recommendations for government stakeholders.
• Leadership and Advocacy: Skillfully and effectively advocates for policy positions and recommendations with external audiences, including with government stakeholders and as part of collaborative efforts with NGO partners. Demonstrates the ability to develop and implement successful advocacy strategies that achieve priority policy objectives, working effectively as part of a team and in coalitions. Demonstrates a strong ability to influence, persuade, and negotiate effectively in order to advance WWF’s policy priorities with government and organizational partners.
• Initiative/Drive: Proactive in implementing strategic plans to advance team and organizational goals and personal workplans, while maintaining broad awareness of emerging opportunities to deliver on WWF’s policy priorities, as well as emerging challenges. Independently motivated and demonstrates initiative and creativity in implementing strategic plans to achieve PGA team priorities and deliver on personal workplans. Committed to WWF’s mission and delivering on team and individual goals.
• Collaboration and Inclusion: Fosters a culture of collaboration, internally within the PGA team, among teams contributing to Food and Freshwater Policy, and across the organization more broadly, as well as externally with organizational and coalition partners and government stakeholders. Builds strong relationships and leverages these to advance WWF policy priorities and enhance WWF’s overall reputation and influence with strategic partners on a range of issues. Is a committed team player and defaults to inclusion, transparency, and collaboration within and across teams.
• Time management and accountability/follow through: Establishes time-bound goals and workplans proactively, communicating to manager and teammates regularly on their progress. Adaptively manages time and workload to advance multiple workstreams and tasks while prioritizing outreach, engagement, and relationship management with government stakeholders. Takes ownership of projects and delivers results in a way that strengthens credibility and trust among both internal colleagues and external partners.

• A Bachelor’s degree with 6+ years of experience in conservation, policy, or advocacy.  Advanced degree preferred.  
• Strong existing working relationships preferred, including with relevant coalition players and Congressional, including Committee, and Executive branch staff. In particular, Agriculture Committees and USDA.
• Must be willing to register as a federal lobbyist.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including effective public speaking and the ability to communicate complex issues both verbally and in written form. 
• Ability to effectively prioritize and produce high-quality work under time constraints  
• Excellent organizational and project leadership skills  
• Proven ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment  
• Familiarity with Microsoft office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access).
• Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values:
  • COURAGE – We demonstrate courage through our actions, we work for change where it’s needed, and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet, which is our home.
  • INTEGRITY – We live the principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity, accountability and transparency, and we rely on facts and science to guide us and to ensure that we learn and evolve.
  • RESPECT – We honor the voices and knowledge of people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future.
  • COLLABORATION – We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.

To Apply: 

• Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page, Requisition #26031

• Due to the high volume of applications, we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone 

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) promotes equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals regardless of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.