Senior Director, U.S. Government Relations

Washington, DC

About PAI

PAI is a nonprofit, civil society organization based in Washington, D.C. Founded almost 60 years ago, we work to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all people through U.S. and global advocacy, partnerships with multisectoral institutions and the funding of community-based organizations across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

PAI envisions a world where all people can fully realize their sexual and reproductive health and rights to achieve health equity, economic well-being, and gender equality. We believe that equitable progress for sexual and reproductive health and rights is central in achieving urgent and sustained gains for the health, equality and prosperity of women, youth, and at-risk communities around the world.

PAI advocates on the global stage and works with policymakers in Washington, D.C., to drive supportive and expansive U.S. foreign aid and policy for sexual and reproductive health care. We also provide flexible funding and strategic and technical advocacy support to community-based, women-led, youth-led and youth-focused organizations in over 30 countries so local advocates can advance sexual and reproductive health investment and policy priorities in their own countries and communities.

PAI has embarked upon a new era of impact and excellence. We are committed to sharing our strengths, elevating the achievements of peer civil society organizations around the world, and using evidence, data and policy insights to hold U.S. and global decision-makers accountable.

In the face of ongoing threats to sexual and reproductive health and rights in the United States and around the world, PAI and our network of advocates are not only tackling these threats, but also advancing an agenda for progress where rights can be respected and realized. We are excited to bring on new team members who are inspired by our mission and are committed to community-led advocacy, policy accountability, and collective action to demand, protect, and advance sexual and reproductive health care for all.

To learn more visit pai.org

About the Role

As Senior Director for U.S. Government Relations, you will build and drive an advocacy agenda to sustain and grow U.S. Government investments in global sexual and reproductive rights and international family planning and reproductive health programs, including through influencing congressional legislation and foreign assistance appropriations.

Working alongside the Senior Fellow, the Senior Director will serve as PAI’s chief liaison with Congress and the executive branch. They will proactively build, sustain, and grow a vibrant set of relationships with policymakers across the U.S. Government, and lobby them to champion and advance PAI’s policy priorities. They will also broker entry points for education and advocacy led by PAI’s Executive Leadership, Technical Teams, and partners.

In this role, the Senior Director will also mobilize coalition partners to define and successfully advance a clearly defined SRHR policy agenda, including through coordinated joint advocacy and communications. In addition, this role will conduct and manage research and analysis on the need for and impact of U.S. investments in global SRHR; and prepare policy and advocacy materials representative of PAI’s mission and objectives. Serving as a subject matter expert, the Senior Director contribute to new business development opportunities and proposal development. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

• Lead development and implementation of PAI’s U.S. Government advocacy strategy, leveraging the expertise and networks of the Senior Fellow and other team members.
• Build, sustain and grow relationships with U.S. congressional and executive branch policymakers and staffers.
• Position PAI as a resource to Members of Congress, Executive Branch leadership and U.S. Government policymakers in global reproductive health.
• Proactively monitor the policy and funding environment, identify trends and opportunities, navigate barriers, and maximize emerging opportunities to drive sustained progress in advancing PAI’s policy agenda.
• Co-chair the International Family Planning Coalition, providing leadership and coordination to partner with allies to define and successfully advance a clearly defined SRHR policy agenda, including through coordinated joint advocacy and communications.
• Develop written advocacy and policy documents, including talking points, one-pagers, letters, testimony, and other educational materials for congressional policymakers, committees, and staffers.
• Build thought leadership through social media, policy-audience oriented publications and panels and events to expand understanding and implications of U.S. policies and funding for global SRHR among new and existing audiences.
• Serve as spokesperson on U.S. advocacy issues of priority to PAI.
• Lead and support lobbying visits, congressional, White House, and agency staff briefings, hearings, and other engagements – including briefings with the Pro-Choice Caucus.
• Provide regular legislative updates to PAI’s Executive Team and staff, summarizing congressional, agency, and administration activity.
• Design annual workplans and monitor progress, and document learning and results from PAI’s U.S. Government advocacy, including conduct technical reviews (monitoring and evaluation, and reporting of indicators) and donor reports; ensure that activities and budgets are implemented in an efficient, effective manner that meets all grant objectives and donor deliverables.
• Key role in growing funding for PAI’s U.S. Government advocacy work, including briefing potential donors, and contributing to concept notes, proposals, and donor pitches.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Master's degree in international relations, Global Health Policy, Public Policy, Public Affairs, or equivalent experience.
• 5-7 years relevant experience in government relations, including lobbying and policy work on Capitol Hill, in the executive branch, or at like-minded nongovernmental organizations.
• Deep knowledge of federal policymaking institutions (including Congress, executive branch agencies, and the White House).
• Established network of congressional and executive branch relationships and involvement with policy coalitions.
• Strong analytical and writing skills, including efficiently drafting real-time responses to emerging advocacy opportunities.
• Excellent communication and advocacy skills and demonstrated effectiveness in influencing policymakers, engaging the media, and mobilizing coalition partners to deliver on shared agendas.
• Demonstrated success in leading and managing complex coalitions, including helping partners with divergent perspectives to identify and advance a coherent and aligned agenda.
• Impeccable organizational skills and ability to drive work under tight deadlines in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• Ability to develop and advance strategies and workplans independently, while efficiently liaising with key internal and external partners to ensure alignment and to build and sustain buy-in.
• Enthusiasm about thinking creatively and developing new strategies in order to mobilize new champions for PAI’s advocacy agenda, including allies from other sectors.
• Demonstrated experience dealing respectfully with partners and colleagues from diverse backgrounds, including leaders of advocacy and accountability organizations based outside the U.S.
• Excitement about and willingness to work closely with PAI’s global advocacy programs and partners to leverage technical team and partners’ expertise in efforts to educate and influence the U.S. Government.
• Prepared to register as a lobbyist with the U.S. Congress under the Lobbying Disclosure Act.

Salary Range:

This position is based in Washington, D.C., the salary range for this role is $150,000 - $160,000 USD, plus benefits. The final offer for a successful candidate will be determined by a combination of factors, including, but not limited to, skill set, level of experience, education, and market considerations.

PAI offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental and vision care, direct contribution 403(b) retirement plan, and flexible spending account.

Please note, the current position is on a hybrid work schedule. Three days a week, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays are required in the office with two days working from home.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and will be subject to a background check.

PAI believes it is strengthened by the diversity of its staff, and welcomes such diversity, including race, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, educational attainment, disability, and veteran status. PAI welcomes applications from people of all cultures, backgrounds, and experiences, and strongly encourages people of color and persons with disabilities to apply. PAI actively cultivates an institutional culture that reflects the values of respect, equity, and inclusion that it seeks to amplify in its work. PAI offers a flexible workplace and a competitive benefits package.

To apply, please visit the PAI career page at www.pai.org/careers