Congressional Advisor (Foreign, Security & Development Policy)

The British Government’s Embassy in Washington has an exciting opportunity for a dynamic person to join the Political Section as a Congressional Advisor. This opportunity is a rewarding role which supports and further develops the special relationship between the UK and the US, working as the key connector between the Embassy and the United States Congress, to that end the role works in support of international diplomacy in order to make a real difference globally.

The US Network offers a unique career enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave, insurance packages and a highly competitive 401k programme. It also promotes a culture of flexibility which enables people to better maintain wellness through an excellent work/life balance approach that encompasses hybrid working, including working from home and flexible hours, where possible. In this role you would be working in a diverse international environment with UK diplomats, armed forces personnel and other country-based staff operating across the British Government’s network of Consulates and Government Offices in the United States. This network provides a platform for approximately 30 Government departments and agencies to conduct their work in the United States and is made up of over 900 staff with a rich and diverse background, skill sets, and experiences.

The Congressional Advisor will serve as the senior point person for the Embassy’s Foreign, Security & Development Section (FSDS), advising the Ambassador, DHM and FSDS policy officers on all Congressional issues in order to enable UK officials, both in the U.S. and London, to make informed decisions that help advance UK policy priorities on Capitol Hill. In addition to maintaining your own relationships on the Hill, you will be responsible for advising FSDS policy officials on how to build their relationships with key staffers and best engage with the various Congressional Committees and groupings. This role will also work in cooperation with the Embassy’s wider Congressional and Political team, ensuring the Embassy is properly represented across all policy fields.

Roles And Responsibilities

• As FSDS’s primary point of contact on all Congressional issues related to foreign, development and security affairs, the Congressional Advisor should have a detailed understanding of the relevant Congressional committees of jurisdiction and the legislative process, a background in international relations, and an extensive network of Hill contacts in relevant offices. This experience could come from working on Capitol Hill, an NGO, or a lobbying firm. Additionally, the Congressional Advisor must have demonstrated experience developing and nurturing relevant contacts on Capitol Hill, as well as the ability to track legislation and Hill activity in order to identify potential legislative threats and opportunities to advance UK priorities.
• The Congressional Advisor is part of a highly visible unit at the Embassy, interacting regularly with the British Ambassador and visiting Ministers and officials from across HMG, such as the Foreign Secretary and other Senior Cabinet Ministers. Therefore, the successful applicant will demonstrate confidence when working with senior officials, feel comfortable engaging Members of Congress, communicate clearly and persuasively, and be vigilant in staying on top of current political and legislative events. The Congressional Advisor will also be required to represent the UK and support the Ambassador at external facing events with senior contacts.
• Writing reports to colleagues and official diplomatic cables to Foreign Office officials is a central part of the Congressional Advisor’s daily work. The written work of the Political Team in DC is some of the most read in the entire Foreign Office, often by senior readers at the highest levels, so the successful applicant must have strong writing skills. They must be able to analyse policy and legislation and write about it clearly. Furthermore, the Congressional Advisor will regularly have to make the case for an Embassy action or persuade a Foreign Office official to take action, so the Advisor must be able to set out a clear argument, support it with relevant evidence, and draw well founded conclusions.
• The Congressional Advisor also works alongside the rest of the Congressional team to direct the Embassy’s Congressional engagement on all areas of HMG policy, working closely with colleagues in to ensure we are driving forward high-level policy objectives across the piece, that we prioritise those efforts effectively, and that engagement on Capitol Hill is properly coordinated and de-conflicted to maximise our impact on Capitol Hill.
• This position sits in the Political Section and supports FSDS, both of which are a tight knit group that works together in a fast-paced environment. Therefore, the ideal candidate will be someone who thrives in a team environment, who enjoys working with others, sees opportunity in collaborating with new individuals across the Embassy and Foreign Office, and will be willing to support team members to advance our common goal of promoting UK priorities and managing potential legislative and political risks. Individual officers will have a good degree of autonomy, but the successful candidate will need to able to bring others with them, have experience of and be comfortable with working in a hierarchy, and to be willing to roll their sleeves up and assist colleagues as necessary.