Position: Associate, Africa Policy
Location: Washington DC, United States
Department: Global Affairs & Partnerships – Washington DC – HQ
Employment Type: Full Time – Local / Hybrid
About Us
In a world often divided, Search for Common Ground stands for the power of bringing diverse people together to find solutions. By joining Search, you become part of a powerful global peace movement that believes in the profound impact of courageous multipartiality – that all voices should be heard and respected in shaping a better, more connected world. Collaborative vision is essential for lasting peace.
We build solutions based on the needs of communities, engaging with leaders and elected officials to advance dialogue and collaboration. We are community leaders, youth activists, women, and peacebuilders. With over 40 years of experience, we have honed our understanding of peace, enabling us to quantify our impact and design more effective programs. Peace moves at the speed of trust, so we invest for the long haul. When our work is done, we leave behind empowered people and institutions capable of managing future conflicts.
Team Summary
Our Global Policy and Outreach team in Washington DC focuses on building the policy case for the peacebuilding field. By working collaboratively with Search’s teams and partners worldwide, the team leverages their analysis, data, and expertise to inform the policies of emerging and established actors. This team provides operational and locally-rooted policy analysis and recommendations that encourage policymakers to support and use peacebuilding more effectively. We advocate for supportive institutional norms, healthier funding to implementers, and policies that encourage peacebuilding.
Role Summary
The Associate, Africa Policy position will support Search’s policy efforts related to various geographies, including the Sahel (Mali and Niger), Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Responsibilities include developing and executing global policy and outreach campaigns, external representation, producing written content, maintaining relationships with allies and policymakers, and monitoring results. The role reports to the Director of Global Affairs and Partnerships and may require regular in-person meetings in Washington DC with policymakers and external audiences.
Responsibilities
- Support policy, outreach, and representation efforts, including research, drafting policy content, attending events, and engaging with peers.
- Manage knowledge and information for the team, including data collection, analysis, and tracking systems.
- Organize team meetings and learning sessions, sharing information across the team.
- Contribute to social media strategies and track relevant policies, media, and statements.
- Represent Search at events and briefings, and design and execute Search-hosted events and international outreach trips.
- Support briefings, written products, and strategy development through research, copy editing, and coordinating working group meetings.
- Gather monitoring and evaluation data on advocacy efforts and analyze results.
- Ensure accurate information capture in trackers and systems, and provide budget tracking support.
- Participate in organizational initiatives and strategies, including voluntary committees and discussions.
Competency Behavior Indicators
- Fluent in spoken/written English; French proficiency is an advantage.
- Effective participation in external meetings and relationship building.
- Engages and communicates effectively across functions and teams.
- Exhibits flexibility, adaptability, and resilience.
- Writes technical sections for team documents with supervision.
- Works from a multicultural perspective, respecting other cultures and viewpoints.
- Recognizes ethical situations and creates accurate, timely work.
- Manages time and technology efficiently, prioritizing tasks with limited supervision.
- Remains alert to safeguarding risks, promoting strong practices, and adhering to the safeguarding policy.
Education and Experience
- Typically, a BS/BA with a minimum of 3 years’ experience (or 1 year with an MA).
- Working knowledge of French is required.
- Salary Range: $49,613 – $64,487 per year.
Type and Nature of Contacts
- Interacts tactfully with others and handles problem situations effectively.
- Periodic external engagement as requested.
Working Conditions and Physical Requirements
- Usual office environment conditions.
- Ability to travel internationally at least 20%.
Supervisory and Budget Responsibility
- None
Application Process
Only applicants invited for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please. Visit our website www.sfcg.org for full details of our work.
All Search Employees must adhere to our values: Collaboration, Audacity, Tenacity, Empathy, and Results. Search enforces compliance with the Code of Conduct and related policies on Anti-Workplace Harassment, Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Conflict of Interest, and Anti-fraud. We are committed to safeguarding the interests, rights, and well-being of children, youth, and vulnerable adults with whom we are in contact.
Search for Common Ground does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status in any of its activities or operations. View our Code of Conduct and Privacy Policy.
For inquiries, please refer to our contact page.