Senior Advisor

Grade Level: Grade Level 7 - FLSA Exempt
Reports to: VP, Policy and Government Relations

About NED

The National Endowment for Democracy supports freedom around the world.

At NED, we deliver on the belief that freedom is a universal aspiration. Headquartered in Washington, DC, NED is a private, nonprofit foundation, mandated by Congress, dedicated to strengthening democratic institutions worldwide.

NED reflects an enduring American commitment to stand with those striving for dignity, justice, and opportunity. In 2025, NED made 1,552 grants totaling $271 million to support the work of nongovernmental organizations advancing democratic goals in more than 90 countries, including some of the world’s most challenging and repressive environments.

We seek talented, entrepreneurial professionals motivated by purpose and committed to excellence. At NED, you will join a dynamic team of experts who bring their skills, curiosity, and judgment to a consequential mission at a critical moment for democracy around the world. Our work is guided by our shared values: excellence, respect, empathy, accountability, and adaptability.

Position Summary

The Senior Advisor serves as a key liaison to Congress, strengthening relationships with Members of Congress and their staff to increase awareness of NED’s mission and the impact of our work.

• This role leads targeted engagements with congressional offices, including oversight committees and foreign policy caucuses, that are critical to advancing NED’s strategic priorities.
• By informing and cultivating congressional relationships, the Senior Advisor helps shape policy understanding to promote democracy and freedom programs around the world in ways that directly support NED’s programs and objectives.
• To this end, the Senior Advisor will also engage key opinion-shapers and other relevant constituencies.
• The position plays a central role in ensuring NED’s mission is better recognized and understood within the legislative arena.

This is an in-office position based in Washington, DC.

Primary Responsibilities

Congressional Outreach

• Develop and maintain relationships with Members of Congress, their staff, and relevant congressional committees and caucuses.
• Plan and lead strategic engagements, briefings, and meetings with congressional offices to communicate NED’s priorities.
• Monitor and analyze congressional activity and policy developments to identify opportunities for NED to engage and inform decision-makers.
• Represent NED at congressional hearings, events, and meetings to provide expert guidance and advocacy on the organization’s priorities.
• Develop and implement strategies for proactive engagement with key congressional offices to strengthen long-term support for NED’s mission.
• Engage key constituencies and opinion-shapers relevant to ensuring NED’s work is better recognized and understood within the legislative arena.

Collaboration

• Coordinate internal communications between program staff and leadership to ensure consistent messaging and alignment on congressional outreach strategies.
• Collaborate with Director of External Communications to prepare briefings, reports, and materials that clearly articulate NED’s mission, programmatic achievements, and policy relevance for congressional audiences.
• Collaborate with the programmatic staff to prepare materials for Congress.
• Train programmatic staff on how to brief and communicate with congressional audiences.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 12 years of experience in foreign policy, democracy and freedom programs, external engagement, or related field.
• Experience working with Congress, including direct engagement with Members of Congress and congressional staff on foreign policy matters.
• Demonstrated expertise managing complex, high-level sensitive matters involving senior leaders and sensitive political or international issues.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a collaborative, diplomatic, and solutions-oriented approach.
• Proven ability to work independently with minimal direction, exercising sound judgment and discretion.
• Understanding of the policy community and information environment impacting congressional work.

Preferred

• Experience with the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees and House and Senate Foreign Relations Committees who conduct oversight over NED and are responsible for foreign policy matters.
• Experience in government, international organizations, non-profits, think tanks, or policy institutions.
• Established network of relationships on Capitol Hill and within the foreign policy community.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a bipartisan environment and navigate complex political dynamics.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare for congressional hearings, briefings and present complex information clearly and persuasively.
• Demonstrated alignment with and commitment to the organization’s mission and values.

Talent in Action

Consistent with NED’s talent statement, and grounded in our values, the successful individual in this role will demonstrate the following competencies in the delivery of their work while supporting NED’s efforts to advance democratic change:

• Purpose-Driven
• Reliable
• Expertise
• Respectful Collaboration
• Curiosity
• Results-Oriented
• An Optimistic Mindset

NED Total Compensation

The anticipated compensation range for this position is $103,000 to $185,000.

The salary for this position is determined based on a wide variety of factors, including but not limited to an individual’s professional experience, qualifications, education, and other business needs along with internal equity considerations. Employees are not typically hired at the top of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are based on the aforementioned circumstances.

NED also offers a generous benefits package that demonstrates its commitment to employee health and well-being.