Advocacy Officer

For over 70 years, the success of Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty RFE/RL has been rooted in our exceptional employees and mission. We are looking for an Advocacy Officer to join our External Affairs team, in Washington D.C. which is part of the Office of the President. The incumbent will report to the Advocacy Manager. In this role, you will work closely with the rest of the team including various RFE/RL stakeholders on all levels within the organization including external stakeholders, too. 

Who are we? 

RFE/RL is a multi-platform media organization with a $140+ million budget. We employ over 1,400 staff and engage thousands of freelancers in over 20 countries and produce content in 27 languages. Our mission is to promote democratic values by providing accurate, uncensored news and open debate in countries where a free press is threatened, and disinformation is pervasive. RFE/RL is a private, nonprofit Sec. 501(c)3 corporation, and is funded by a grant from the U.S. Congress through the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) as a private grantee. 

What is expected in this role? As Advocacy Officer, you will among other things be responsible for: 

• Supporting advocacy campaigns to secure the release of imprisoned RFE/RL journalists.  
• Drafting and updating advocacy materials on RFE/RL’s journalists in trouble and other media freedom issues.  
• Assisting the Advocacy Manager in developing and executing a proactive strategy to support RFE/RL journalists.  
• Working closely with the External Affairs team to keep stakeholders informed about RFE/RL’s journalists in trouble.  
• Drafting letters to government offices and other stakeholders to resolve issues the company faces overseas. 
• Supporting the implementation of RFE/RL’s Emergency Support Policy and related procedures.  
• Working with RFE/RL journalists in trouble and/or their family members to identify emergency support needs, including legal assistance, equipment replacement, and emergency relocation; identifying external funding sources.  
• Gathering and verifying information regarding emergency support requests; helping RFE/RL journalists and their families apply for support from RFE/RL and external funds; submitting applications on their behalf when requested.  
• Tracking emergency support cases and maintaining associated documents such as application forms and references.  
• Supporting RFE/RL’s outreach to advocacy partners, monitoring events and publications of relevant organizations.  
• Identifying relevant awards and honors for RFE/RL’s journalists in trouble and drafting nominations. 
• Working with the External Affairs team on virtual and in-person events to promote advocacy goals.  

What we are looking for: 

• Successful candidates must have a university degree in journalism, international relations, communications, or related field or equivalent of education and related experience. 
• 2-3 yrs of advocacy, human rights, or journalist safety experience, preferably at a media organization or NGO  
• Experience drafting letters, briefs, and other written advocacy materials  
• Familiarity with global human rights and media freedom issues, particularly in RFE/RL’s coverage region 
• First-language level written and spoken English is mandatory; Russian is a plus.  
• Experience working in a multicultural environment or outside own country; experience in RFE/RL’s region is a plus.  

Interested? We would love to hear from candidates who demonstrate the following: 

• High-performing, proactive self-starter with demonstrated interest and knowledge of RFE/RL’s mission and U.S. international broadcasting. 
• Strong interpersonal ability with excellent verbal and written communication skills; high attention to detail. 
• Capability of translating goals into strategic action  
• Solid organizational and time management skills  
• Sound judgement and discretion; ability to manage highly sensitive issues  
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a demanding and fast-paced work environment  
• Understanding of U.S. government institutions and the non-profit sector, particularly the democracy, human rights, and journalist safety landscape;  
• Tactfulness with an ability to successfully interact with culturally and linguistically diverse internal and external partners. 

What we offer? 

This is a unique opportunity to work with incredible colleagues in a diverse, dynamic challenging, international media organization with a long history and compelling mission to support and be a part of.  

RFE/RL offers attractive benefits - including 25 days’ vacation, hybrid work environment, among others – a strong retirement savings plan, a comprehensive health, dental, vision & life insurance plan, short-term and long-term disability benefits and a competitive salary for a non-profit government-funded organization with the annual base salary ranging from $70,000 to $85,000.  

How to apply? 

The application process includes uploading a current CV and cover letter, in English, explaining how your background is applicable to our open role, your interest in the position and given our non-profit status, it is important that you identify your annual salary expectations.