Government Affairs Lead

Founded in 1981 in partnership with whistleblowers, the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) is a nonpartisan independent watchdog that works to expose waste, corruption, abuse of power, and other instances where the government fails to serve the public. We champion reforms to achieve a more effective, ethical, and accountable federal government that safeguards constitutional principles. POGO has an over $7 million annual budget that supports a staff of over 50 employees.

POGO is looking for a talented Government Affairs Lead to help advance POGO's legislative priorities by executing and organizing legislative and executive branch focused advocacy campaigns. The Government Affairs Lead is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with congressional and executive staff relevant to advancing POGO's strategic policy priorities and serving as a conduit between POGO's policy teams and those policy makers. This position reports to the Director of Advocacy.

We encourage potential applicants to apply even if they only have experience or familiarity in some of the areas described below. We fully recognize that many great candidates will not have experience in all of the areas we list, or may have relevant experiences and skills that we have not listed or considered.

Responsibilities include:

• Execute legislative and executive based advocacy campaigns to make meaningful progress on strategic policy priorities, including but not limited to identifying potential vehicles for accomplishing policy change, identifying key targets, identifying what materials would be useful to drive the campaign forward, and advising on optimal sequencing of campaign steps. This position will focus primarily (though not exclusively) on advancing POGO’s priorities related to legal/constitutional and good government policy.

• Develop relationships with key legislative, executive, and external stakeholders to advance POGO’s strategic policy priorities.

• Strategically disseminate POGO’s investigative and policy work to Congressional offices and various coalitions and listservs POGO participates in.

• Advise subject matter experts on one-sheeters, hearing questions, oversight letters, agency public comments, reports, analysis pieces, testimony, op-eds and other articles.

• Represent POGO at high-level meetings with Executive Branch officials and Congressional staff.

• Represent POGO’s policy analysis and positions in the news media (print, radio, TV, podcasts, etc.).

• Utilize and develop expertise in public affairs tools, including but not limited to Quorum software.

• Other duties as required to accomplish POGO’s mission. 

Qualifications include:

• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in congressional offices, committees, federal agencies, or civil society – or demonstrated equivalent experience

• Demonstrated commitment to working in a nonpartisan, collaborative, respectful manner with diverse stakeholders.

• Strong working knowledge of Congressional procedures and the legislative process.

• Ability to think critically and apply POGO’s previous work/policy positions to new issue areas, with an eye toward identifying the system reform angle

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with an emphasis on the soft skills that make an effective advocate including high social and emotional intelligence.

• Ability to work independently, displaying an understanding of POGO’s mission and priorities.

• Ability to proactively seek opportunities to further POGO’s policy work, especially as those opportunities relate to legal/constitutional and good government issues, keeping a particularly close eye on Congressional developments such as hearing announcements and communicate those to the larger POGO team when necessary.

• Commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

• (+) Familiarity with legal/constitutional and good government issues preferred.

Compensation, benefits, and other information:

This is a work from home position; however, the candidate must be in the Washington, DC region and available for travel regularly to DC for in-person meetings.

This is a full-time position and includes the listed benefits:

• Competitive nonprofit salary in the range of $68,000 - $83,000

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• 403(b) employee investment plan available, with employer retirement contribution once eligible

• Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage

• Paid holiday, vacation, and sick leave

To Apply: Submit cover letter and resume. No phone calls please.

Application Deadline: April 1st

 POGO is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. We encourage all interested and qualified individuals to apply.