Senior Policy Advocate Global Finance & Food Systems

Friends of the Earth is a hard-hitting, progressive, environmental organization that pulls no punches and speaks sometimes uncomfortable truth to power. It’s an approach that has worked for four decades to produce important victories that help protect our planet and its people. We’re part of Friends of the Earth International, a federation of groups working in more than 70 countries on today’s most urgent environmental and social issues. 
 
To accomplish our mission, Friends of the Earth is working at the nexus of environmental protection, economic policy and social justice to fundamentally transform the way our country and the world value people and the environment.   

The Global Finance & Food Systems Department, within Friends of the Earth's Food & Agriculture team, works to end Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) financing for industrial animal agriculture and increase public investment in equitable, humane, and climate-resilient food systems. Working primarily through the global Stop Financing Factory Farming Campaign, the team advances MDB policy and project advocacy, strengthens Global South and frontline leadership, promotes agroecological alternatives to industrial agriculture, and builds the partnerships and infrastructure needed to advance global food-system and development-finance reform.

Position Summary

Friends of the Earth is seeking a strategic campaign and policy professional to advance efforts to end multilateral development bank (MDB) financing for industrial animal agriculture and increase investment in equitable, climate-resilient, and agroecological food systems.

As a senior individual contributor, this role provides project leadership for Friends of the Earth's work within the global Stop Financing Factory Farming (S3F) Campaign, where Friends of the Earth serves as the campaign secretariat. The position leads policy advocacy, develops campaign strategies, and builds partnerships to influence multilateral development banks, strengthen environmental and social safeguards, and advance sustainable food system solutions.

Success in this role requires strong policy analysis, strategic advocacy, coalition leadership, and the ability to translate complex issues into meaningful institutional and policy change.

The annual salary range for this full-time, remote position is $82,000.00-$86,000.00. Starting salary is determined by qualifications, skills, and experience relevant to the role. This position is represented by the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU). The first three (3) months of employment constitute an introductory (probationary) period.

Strategic Policy Advocacy & Campaign Leadership 

• Develop and implement advocacy strategies to influence multilateral development banks, with primary responsibility for the World Bank Group and coordination across other priority development banks.
• Manage project-based advocacy initiatives that advance institutional accountability, strengthen environmental and social safeguards, and reduce financing for industrial livestock projects.
• Assess policy developments, identify emerging advocacy opportunities, and recommend strategic responses to advance campaign priorities.
• Advance policy solutions that promote agroecology and other sustainable food system investments as alternatives to factory farming.

Policy Research, Analysis & Thought Leadership 

• Develop policy analysis and research that informs advocacy priorities and campaign strategy.
• Produce policy briefs, reports, opinion pieces, and other advocacy materials that strengthen Friends of the Earth's policy positions.
• Collaborate with research institutions and subject matter experts to develop evidence-based policy recommendations.
• Apply policy analysis to support accountability mechanisms and institutional oversight efforts.

Coalition Engagement, External Representation & Partnerships 

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with coalition partners, civil society organizations, researchers, and international partners to advance shared advocacy objectives.
• Coordinate with coalition partners to align policy priorities, advocacy strategies, and campaign activities.
• Represent Friends of the Earth in meetings, conferences, media engagements, and other external forums to advance campaign priorities.
• Serve as a spokesperson on issues related to multilateral development bank finance, industrial animal agriculture, and agroecological food systems.
• Collaborate across policy, communications, and campaign teams to ensure coordinated advocacy efforts and consistent external messaging.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in public policy, Environmental Studies, International Affairs, Agriculture, Political Science, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of increasing experience and responsibility in policy advocacy, campaigning, or public policy, including at least 3 years leading policy advocacy initiatives.
• Demonstrated success designing and implementing strategic advocacy campaigns that integrate institutional engagement with public campaigning and coalition mobilization.
• Experience developing policy positions, conducting research and analysis, and translating complex issues into effective advocacy strategies.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills with experience engaging diverse audiences, including policymakers, financial institutions, media, and civil society organizations.
• Strong project leadership, strategic planning, prioritization, and relationship management skills.
• Knowledge of industrial agriculture, food systems, climate policy, environmental justice, or related policy areas.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in Public Policy, International Affairs, Environmental Science, Agriculture, Public Health, or related discipline.
• Experience working with multilateral development banks, international financial institutions, or international development policy.
• Knowledge of environmental and social safeguard frameworks, accountability mechanisms, and sustainable finance.
• Experience working with international coalitions and organizations, particularly those representing Global South partners.
• Fluency in Spanish and/or Portuguese.

Perks and Benefits:

We're proud to be a generous, people-first employer that invests in your growth and well-being. In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to help you thrive both personally and professionally:

• 37.5-hour workweek to support work-life balance
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage (80% for eligible dependents)
• Disability and life insurance for added security
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for healthcare and dependent care
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Generous paid time off, including:
  • 25 vacation beginning in your first year
  • 15 paid holidays
  • 20 sick days
  • 3 floating holidays
  • Summer Fridays (the last two Fridays in July and all Fridays in August)
  • Winter break (office closed between December 24 – January 1)
  • Parental leave, sabbatical options, and more
• Professional development and IT stipend
• Education reimbursement and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Friends of the Earth is an equal opportunity employer who encourages applications from women, people of color and other members of underrepresented groups who will contribute to the diversity of its staff. In compliance with federal law, all people hired will be required to verify identity and complete eligibility verification upon hire. 

Compensation: $82,000.00-$86,000.00