Public Policy Assistant Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

Save the Children

For over 100 years, Save the Children has been fighting for the rights of children. The right to a healthy start in life. To have access to education. To be in a safe environment, protected from harm. We work in some of the world’s hardest-to-reach places – over 100 countries, including the U.S. No matter what your role is, when you join Save the Children, you’re creating positive, irreversible change for children, and the future we all share.

The Role

As the Senior Associate for Domestic Policy, you’ll be integral to our work in helping vulnerable children achieve a brighter future. You will support the advancement of Save the Children’s U.S. domestic policy objectives across key issue areas, including education (with a focus on the National Promise Neighborhoods Coalition), child care, nutrition, and rural development. This includes supporting efforts to influence Congress, the Administration, and other key stakeholders, as well as contributing to the development and implementation of Save the Children’s domestic policy and advocacy portfolio. The Senior Associate will also support policy research and analysis, stakeholder and coalition engagement, and coordination across internal teams to advance federal policy priorities. This role reports to the Managing Director, Domestic Policy and collaborates closely across Policy & Advocacy.

Location

Hybrid - Washington DC office location

What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

Conduct policy research and analysis in support of the Domestic Policy Team’s policy priorities. (50%)

• At the direction of the Managing Director, Domestic Policy, conduct policy analysis and research related to Save the Children U.S.’s domestic policy priorities with Congress and the Administration.
• Support development of policy and advocacy products for Save the Children, including those targeting U.S. policy makers, including developing materials such as one-pagers, issue summaries, and other documents.
• Analyze and review policy research generated by coalition partners, aligned NGOs and other organizations to inform Save the Children U.S.’s policy positions.
• Attend coalition meetings and occasional Hill meetings.
• Support Save the Children’s leadership of the National Promise Neighborhoods Coalition by advancing coalition policy priorities, supporting advocacy engagement with Congress and the Administration, and helping coordinate coalition-driven policy efforts.

Provide political analysis support to the Domestic Policy Team (30%)

• Track and keep team updated on Congressional and Administration policy developments including hearings, bill introductions, committee business meetings, agency announcements and other developments as needed.
• Monitor and update team on secondary policy areas that connect to SCUS policy priorities or our SCUS strategy or our domestic campaigns.
• Assist in congressional targeting, including by compiling updated information about vote records and policy positions of key members of Congress.

Provide logistical and administrative support to Domestic Policy Team. (20%)

• Contribute to operational needs of the Policy, Advocacy, and Campaigns division, including supporting procurement processes, tracking and coordinating internal reporting, and facilitating coordination across Save the Children teams, departments, and divisions.
• Analyze government relations plans and next steps, including updated information about vote records and policy positions of key members of Congress.
• Track Congressional and Administration policy developments including hearings, bill introductions, committee business meetings, agency announcements and other developments as needed.
• Support the management of interns, tracking related research and legislative projects
• Support the development and internal dissemination of policy and advocacy materials, as well as the planning and execution of strategic policy events, briefings, and convenings, as needed, including those related to the National Promise Neighborhoods Coalition.
• Given the ever-evolving nature of advocacy for children in need and the need for this position to react to new policies and developments, a percentage of time will be required to handle issues as they arise.
• Provide dedicated coordination and administrative support for the National Promise Neighborhoods Coalition, including supporting member engagement, meeting logistics, materials development, and coalition communications.

Required qualifications for the role

• Minimum of a High School Diploma or equivalent, plus at least 2 years of relevant experience
• Demonstrated experience supporting government, government relations, policy, advocacy, or public affairs.
• Familiarity with federal policymaking and the federal legislative process.
• Proven analytical ability, including the ability to produce written analytical and research materials.
• Demonstrated persuasive and politically astute communication and networking skills with a range of different audiences
• Enthusiasm for advocacy and government relations work
• Professional proficiency in MS Office suite
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English

Preferred qualifications for the role

• Experience organizing and executing events.
• Understanding of U.S. legislative process
• Experience with child-focused domestic policy, including (but not limited to): education, nutrition, or rural policy

Compensation

Save the Children is offering the following salary ranges for this position, dependent on candidate location:

• Geo 1 - NY Metro, DC, and other locations with labor costs significantly above national average: Target Salary for this position is $60,775 - $67,925 base salary 

• Geo 2 - Locations around the US National Labor Cost Average: Target Salary for this position is $53,975 - $60,325 base salary 
• Geo 3 - Locations significantly below the US National Labor Cost Average: Target Salary for this position is $49,725 - $55,575 base salary 

The salary ranges listed above are for US based candidates. For candidates located outside of the US, salary ranges will be based on the salary scales of the local employer of record. Actual base salary may vary based on, but not limited to, relevant experience, base salary of internal peers, business sector, and geographic location (more information on job structure is available here).

About Us

We are looking to build an  inclusive team at Save the Children. We offer a range of outstanding benefits to support this goal:

• Flexible schedules and time off: Flexible schedules, generous PTO, 11 paid holidays plus 2 floating holidays and hybrid working opportunities
• Health: Competitive health care, dental and vision coverage for you and your family
• Family: A variety of paid leaves: caregiver, parental/adoption, critical child illness and fertility benefits
• Employee Rewards Program: Annual merit increases and/or additional incentives for eligible employees
• Retirement: A retirement savings plan with employer contributions (after one year)
• Wellness: 15 safety and wellness days annually (if hired on or after July 1, safety and wellness days prorated to 8 days), mental health benefits and support through Calm and company-hosted events
• Employee Assistance Program: free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services
• Learning & Growth: Access to internal and external learning & development opportunities and mentorships

Click here to learn more about how Save the Children US will invest in you.

Save the Children is committed to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for the children it serves and helping protect the children with whom we are in contact. All Save the Children representatives are explicitly prohibited from engaging in any activity that may result in any kind of child abuse.

Save the Children is committed to minimizing safety and security risks for our valued employees, ensuring all are given training, support and information to reduce their risk exposure while maximizing the impact of our programs for children and families. Our shared duty, both agency and individual, is to seek and maintain safe working conditions for all.

If you require disability assistance with the application or recruitment process, please submit a request to applicantsupport@savechildren.org.