Policy Advisor

Position description

Salary: $85,000-$95,000 commensurate with experience

Application Deadline: March 28, 2025

Organizational Summary

EarthRights International is a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization that combines the power of law and the power of people in defense of human rights and the environment. We specialize in fact-finding, legal actions, training of grassroots and community leaders, and advocacy campaigns. We are currently seeking a Policy Advisor to join our Campaigns team in Washington, D.C.

Summary Description

The U.S. Advocacy and Campaigns team aims to achieve justice for communities that have experienced corporate-related environmental and human rights abuses and to catalyze systemic changes that will prevent future harms. We work both in the United States and internationally. The team collaborates closely with our colleagues in the U.S. office who specialize in litigation, communications, and training, with our colleagues based in the Latin America and Mekong regions, and with civil society networks and directly affected communities across the world.

We are seeking a Policy Advisor to conduct in-depth analysis, regularly publish commentary, and engage in policymaking spaces in both the United States and internationally, while serving as an organization-wide expert on policy advocacy. The new hire will join the organization at an exciting time, as we celebrate 30 years of impact and start implementation of a new five-year strategic plan.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth research and policy analysis, publish regular commentary, and engage in policymaking spaces in both the United States and internationally, while collaborating across EarthRights teams. Illustrative areas of focus include:
  • Exposing and challenging fossil fuel companies and their enablers for their role in imposing economic, environmental, and human rights harms on local communities.
  • Strengthening protections for human rights defenders in the United States and internationally who face retaliation for speaking up about environmental issues.
  • Ensuring that businesses and institutions involved in the transition to a low carbon economy respect and protect the rights of local communities.
  • Reforming regulatory and policy frameworks to correct distortions and loopholes that allow industries to impose harms on communities with impunity.
  • Monitoring and calling out business actors that attempt to insulate themselves from liability for their role in human rights and environmental abuses.
• Conduct fact-finding investigations and use rigorous analytical methodologies to create an evidentiary basis for campaigns.
• Write and publish regular blogs, op-eds, articles, and reports for a wide range of audiences.
• Provide advisory support and input into the policy advocacy of other EarthRights teams and offices.
• Build and maintain EarthRights’ relationships with civil society organizations, technical experts, policymakers, local leaders, the private sector, and government actors.
• Represent EarthRights in media interviews and at public forums and events.
• Support the Development team in preparing fundraising proposals and grant reports.
• Play an active role in the development and implementation of the U.S. Advocacy and Campaigns team’s workplan in accordance with the priorities set out in EarthRights’ 2025-2029 strategic plan.
• Participate in EarthRights’ monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities to measure the impact of our work.
• Support EarthRights’ efforts to help civil society adapt to changing political dynamics in the regions where we operate.
• Participate in civil society coalitions and multi-stakeholder initiatives that are relevant to our work.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of 5-7 years of relevant experience, including demonstrated experience with policy advocacy and fact-finding on environmental, human rights, or social justice issues.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the U.S. fossil fuel industry.
• Demonstrated knowledge of U.S. policy and regulatory systems.
• Experience engaging with European or international policy or standard-setting bodies is a plus.
• Ability to work on both U.S. and international projects.
• Commitment to supporting the rights of local communities.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including:
  • the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences;
  • the ability to communicate about complex policy issues for a general and non-expert audience; and
  • the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders outside of the environmental and human rights NGO space.
• Experience engaging with U.S. federal and state policymakers, multinational corporations, or international organizations.
• Strong record as a collaborator and team player.
• Ability to adapt to rapidly changing political environments.
• Experience supporting local communities and using ethical storytelling approaches.
• Experience working with colleagues and partners from diverse backgrounds and nationalities.
• Experience working in civil society coalitions.
• Experience engaging with the media.
• Experience using social media for advocacy campaigns.
• Ability to manage time effectively and balance multiple projects in a high-paced work environment.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, as well as a sense of humor, humility, and collegiality.
• Ability to maintain high standards of ethics, integrity, and professionalism, and to handle sensitive and proprietary information appropriately.
• Understanding of security best practices related to human rights work.
• Proficiency in Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, or languages from Southeast Asia is a plus.
• Ability to join occasional after-hours and early-morning calls, due to time zone differences and the global nature of our work.
• Willingness to travel periodically, both domestically and internationally.
• Commitment to the vision, mission, and values of EarthRights International.

Benefits

• 20 days of vacation & 15 sick days per year
• 13 paid federal holidays; office closed from December 24 – January 1
• $200 Home office stipend
• Generous employer non-elective retirement contribution
• Flexible Spending Plan (FSA)
• Employee wellness benefits and transportation benefits
• 18 weeks paid maternity/paternity leave for eligible employees
• Caregiving benefits of $2,000 annually
• Generous Professional Development budget
• Remote work from Connecticut, Maryland, New York, Virginia, Washington, and DC
• A casual work environment
• *This is a bargaining unit position represented by SEIU Local 500.

Application instructions

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