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Government Affairs Manager

We are no longer accepting applications for this position. 

Founded in 1981 in partnership with whistleblowers, the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) is a nonpartisan independent watchdog that works to expose waste, corruption, abuse of power, and other instances where the government fails to serve the public. We champion reforms to achieve a more effective, ethical, and accountable federal government that safeguards constitutional principles. POGO has an over $7 million annual budget that supports a staff of over 50 employees.  

POGO’s Government Affairs team is looking for a talented Government Affairs Manager to help advance POGO’s legislative priorities by executing and organizing legislative and executive branch focused advocacy campaigns. the Government Affairs Manager is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with congressional and executive staff relevant to advancing POGO’s strategic policy priorities and serving as a conduit between POGO’s policy teams and policy makers. The Government Affairs Manager reports directly to the Senior Government Affairs Manager. 

We encourage potential applicants to apply even if they only have experience or familiarity in some of the areas described below. We fully recognize that many great candidates will not have experience in all of the areas we list, or may have relevant experiences and skills that we have not listed or considered. 

Responsibilities include: 

  • Executes legislative and executive based advocacy campaigns to make meaningful progress on strategic policy priorities, including but not limited to identifying potential vehicles for accomplishing policy change, identifying key targets, identifying what materials would be useful to drive the campaign forward, and advising on optimal sequencing of campaign steps. This position will focus primarily (though not exclusively) on advancing POGO’s priorities related to defense and national security policy.  
  • Participates in advocacy coalitions and develops relationships with key legislative, executive, and external stakeholders to advance POGO’s strategic policy priorities.  
  • Strategically disseminates POGO’s investigative and policy work to congressional offices and various coalitions and listservs POGO participates in.  
  • Advises subject matter experts on one-sheeters, hearing questions, oversight letters, agency public comments, reports, analysis pieces, testimony, op-eds and other articles.  
  • Represent POGO at high-level meetings with executive branch officials and congressional staff.   
  • Represent POGO’s policy analysis and positions in the news media (print, radio, TV, podcasts, etc.).  
  • Other duties as required to accomplish POGO’s mission. 

Qualifications include: 

  • Minimum of three years of experience in congressional offices or committees, federal agencies, or civil society – or demonstrated equivalent experience  
  • Strong working knowledge of congressional procedure and the legislative process. 
  • Ability to work independently, displaying an understanding of POGO’s mission and priorities. 
  • Ability to think critically and apply POGO’s previous work/policy positions to new issue areas, with an eye toward identifying the systemic reform angle. 
  • Understanding of and commitment to addressing historical practices of inequity and discrimination to shape a more effective democracy.  
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively work on internal teams, across external stakeholders and independently when necessary.  
  • Ability to proactively seek opportunities to further POGO’s policy work, especially as those opportunities relate to national security and defense issues, keeping a particularly close eye on congressional developments such as hearing announcements and communicate those as necessary. 
  • Willingness to learn to use new tools and technologies to further POGO’s advocacy work. 
  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, and the soft skills that make for an effective advocate. 
  • Sound judgment when dealing with confidential information and/or issues using discretion and judgment for sources, methods and advocacy 
  • Demonstrated commitment to working in a nonpartisan, collaborative, respectful manner with diverse stakeholders and policy makers. 
  • (+) A Bachelor’s degree in political science, pre-law, or other relevant field preferred but not a requirement. 
  • (+) Familiarity with defense and national security issues, preferred but not a requirement.  

Compensation, benefits, and other information: 

Must be based in the Washington DC area or be available to travel regularly to DC (within 1 hour) for in-person meetings on Capitol Hill, with executive branch officials or civil society organizations.  

This is a full time, non-exempt, at-will position. This position is grant funded for a period of two years, and continued employment is contingent upon the receipt of direct grant funds. This position includes the listed benefits: 

  1. Competitive compensation commensurate with experience in the range of 66K – 82K 
  2. Health, dental and vision insurance 
  3. 403(B) employee investment plan available, with an employer retirement contribution once eligible 
  4. Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage 
  5. Paid holiday, vacation, and sick leave 

  POGO is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. We encourage all interested and qualified individuals to apply.