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 Effective and Accountable Government (EAG) team is looking for a talented Policy Associate to help execute policy objectives for POGO. The Policy Associate reports directly to the Director of Effective and Accountable Government.

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:

• Monitors policy issues within individual portfolio to identify new developments that may warrant advocacy and coordinates with Director of EAG to identify next steps. Centers affected communities in framing problems and identifying solutions. Recommends policy positions for POGO to take on emerging issues within individual portfolio, based on POGO’s mission and previous work and the Policy Associate’s own independent research.
• Assists EAG Senior Policy Analyst with long-term projects, such as tracking federal spending.
• Helps analyze legislative and regulatory text to identify potential issues that could preclude POGO support and/or responsiveness to POGO’s policy recommendations.
• Collaborate with Director of EAG and others on the EAG team to help execute advocacy campaigns on POGO's policy recommendations. For strategic priorities, government affairs may assist.
• Disseminate POGO’s investigative and policy work to Congressional offices and various coalitions and listservs POGO participates in.
• Represent the EAG team’s work in relevant coalitions.
• Draft or assist in drafting one-sheeters, hearing questions, oversight letters, agency public comments, reports, analysis pieces, testimony, op-eds and other articles.
• Represent POGO at meetings with Executive Branch officials and Congressional staff on issues within portfolio.
• 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:

• A 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 system 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.
• Willingness to learn to use new tools and technologies to further POGO’s advocacy work.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• 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.
  

Compensation, benefits, and other information:

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

This is a full time position and includes the listed benefits

• Competitive compensation commensurate with experience in the range of 54K – 60K
• Health, dental and vision insurance
• 403(B) employee investment plan available, with employer retirement contribution through a SEP IRA once eligible
• Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage
• 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.