Senior Program Officer Food and Freshwater, Policy and Government

Senior Program Officer for Food and Freshwater, Policy and Government

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 decision makers 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.

• Creates, implements, and supports outreach and advocacy strategies to influence U.S. government stakeholders and their actions around one or more WWF priorities.
• 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, 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.
• 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.
• Actively promotes coordination, collaboration, and information sharing within and across teams to maximize results across WWF’s full set of priority issues.
• Manages consultants, budgets, and projects, as necessary, and helps to manage and mentor junior staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Interpersonal communication skills:
  Communicates clearly, effectively, and accurately with internal and external audiences.
• Leadership and Advocacy:
  Skillfully and effectively advocates for policy positions and recommendations.
• Initiative/Drive:
  Proactive in implementing strategic plans.
• Collaboration and Inclusion:
  Fosters a culture of collaboration and inclusion.
• Time management and accountability/follow through:
  Establishes time-bound goals and workplans proactively.

• A Bachelor’s degree with 6+ years of experience in conservation, policy, or advocacy. Advanced degree preferred.
• Strong existing working relationships, including with relevant coalition players and Congressional, including Committee, and Executive branch staff.
• Must be willing to register as a federal lobbyist.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including effective public speaking.
• 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…