Program Associate for Policy
Program Associate for Policy
About Win Without War
Win Without War is a diverse network of activists and organizations working for a more peaceful, progressive U.S. foreign policy — and that’s put us on the forefront of the fight against some of the most frightening and inhumane foreign policies of this administration.
Working with Congress, grassroots activists, and progressive movement leaders, we’re leading campaigns to reprioritize federal spending away from militarism and toward human and environmental needs, block Trump from starting a war with Iran, end U.S. support for Saudi and Emirati-led war in Yemen, and take Trump’s finger off the nuclear button. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
We believe that by democratizing U.S. foreign policy and providing alternative progressive policy options, we will achieve more peaceful, just, and equitable outcomes that serve all people— regardless of borders, race, nationality, gender, religion, or economic status.
It’s a big, ambitious agenda, but our team is small and mighty: organizers, advocacy and issue experts, political strategists. Every day we bring our activists into Washington’s foreign policy debates and support a network of partner organizations as we advance progressive solutions. We’d love you to join us.
The Position
Since the election of Donald Trump, Win Without War’s programmatic work has grown exponentially, increasing our ability to set the progressive foreign policy agenda inside and outside Washington DC. We are seeking an Policy Associate to join our small but mighty team and help the Policy Director manage the day-to-day content creation and administrative needs of the policy program.
If you’re looking for an entry-level role in a fast-paced team working to advance a progressive vision for the United States’ role in the world, keep reading!
Here’s what you’d do in the job:
- Assist in the day-to-day operations of the policy program
- Develop subject matter expertise across a host of foreign policy and national security issues
- Scope, research, and draft issue briefs, messaging guides, legislative analysis, and other policy content in support of establishing a progressive foreign policy in the United States
- Draft, edit, and publish opinion articles
- Develop and help manage projects to help build the infrastructure and content output of the policy program, such as leading the scoping, research, and expert interviews for policy reports or helping build partner consensus for campaigns
- Assist in direct communications with foreign policy expert partners, WWW network partners, and current and former government officials through the drafting of emails and other content
- Maintain the expert network database and lead in sourcing new experts to work with in promoting progressive foreign policy ideas
- Schedule policy convenings, including policy roundtables, strategy calls, experts briefings, and delegation meetings
- Assist the policy director in the monitoring and evaluation of legislation and positions of members of Congress and the Administration
- Provide research, writing, editing, and copyediting assistance for cross-functional team products such as such as organizational sign on letters, policy memoranda, research backgrounders, talking points, fact-sheets, and other resources
- Assist in the strategic development, drafting and implementation of grassroots advocacy and public education resources and netroots actions, such as petitions and social media content, on an as-needed basis
- Learn how to build and scale a non-profit program area that has a direct impact on foreign policymaking in the United States
You could be great for this job if you have:
- A bachelor’s degree or 3 years of comparable work experience in organizing, project management, research, writing, or issue campaigning at the international, national, or local level
- 1+ year of experience in policy or academic research and writing (including intern and externships)
- A passion for developing creative ideas and a dedicated interest in reshaping U.S. foreign policy
- A strong track record of producing accurate and compelling written content quickly and often under pressure
- Project management experience or superior organization skills with the ability to handle many competing priorities on tight deadlines
- Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to learn new concepts quickly and connect the dots across silos of U.S. foreign policy and between domestic issues
Everyone at Win Without War has:
- A passionate commitment to progressive values, and to our vision of a U.S. foreign policy rooted in those values.
- A willingness to be nimble and work without ego as part of a proactive team of leaders.
- A commitment to the necessity of equity and working to dismantle systems of oppression.
- The ability to rapidly develop a working understanding of the politics of national security as it involves Congress, the Executive Branch, civil society, the media, social justice movements, material forces, ideology and U.S. political culture.
- The ability to work independently when necessary, manage projects, and execute multiple simultaneous tasks on tight deadlines.
- A healthy sense of humor.
- Fluency in written and oral American English.
Expertise or experience in one or more of the following areas isn’t required, but is a plus:
- Excellent skills in Microsoft Office, Google Docs, Airtable and/or similar software
- A love of nerding-out about U.S. foreign policy and world politics
- Professional experience or academic expertise in U.S. foreign policy, peacebuilding, or defense and national security
Location: Washington, D.C. preferred (option for remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic)
Salary: Starting at $40,000 per year. We also offer a generous benefits package, including health, vision, and dental, unlimited paid vacation, and a retirement program (403b) with up to a 6% employer match after six months of employment. The position is full time, classified as exempt, and is at-will.
Start Date: October 1, 2020
How to Apply
Please apply through the form below. Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, September 2, 2020.
Application Materials (as a PDF)
- Cover Letter that explains specifically why you’d be a great fit for this role
- Resume
- 3 professional references, including their relation to you and their contact information (phone and/or email)
- 2 page writing sample
If you have specific questions about this role or the application process, please direct them to jobs@winwithoutwar.org. Application materials that are sent to this email instead of submitted through our website will not be considered.
Win Without War recognizes the importance of diversity and inclusion, particularly from communities disproportionately harmed by the militaristic nationalism driving U.S. foreign policy.
We welcome applications from all, and especially encourage women, people of color, people with disabilities, immigrants, refugees, Muslims, veterans and LGBTQ people to apply. We can't wait to hear from you!