Legislative Affairs Specialist (USAID/ASIA)

Who We Are:

ZemiTek, LLC is a Woman-Owned, SBA-certified 8(a) Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) based in the Washington, DC metro area. We have a strong record delivering innovative and high-quality solutions. Since 2007, ZemiTek has provided technical assistance, project management, information technology (IT), knowledge management, monitoring and evaluation, training and learning development, and institutional support services.

Position Description:

The position has a direct channel to the Head of the Asia Bureau, and reports to the Asia Bureau Outreach Division Chief and by extension the Asia/SPO Office Director.

Clearance: Eligibility to obtain a Secret-level clearance (US citizenship required)

Responsibilities:

• Prepare Asia Bureau senior leadership and regional colleagues for Congressional engagements; including testifying to Congress, meeting with members of Congress and other pertinent Congressional Committee staffers.
• Consult with offices throughout the Asia Bureau and Missions to identify regional priorities and opportunities for Congressional engagement.
• Design and implement a strategic congressional outreach strategy for the Asia Bureau.
• Organization and coordination of hearings and briefings on Capitol Hill including scheduling with Bureau staff, preparing hearing and briefing materials, and providing follow-up information.
• Assign, review, and coordinate responses to Congressional inquiries, including reviewing prior history, determining whether the inquiry can be answered based on existing policy, and assuring, if necessary, full review by pertinent program staff and Bureau senior management.
• Present on Congressional interests and priorities, and Legislative team activities, projects, and accomplishments to an audience of senior leadership.
• Review major Congressionally submitted program documents, such as the Budget Justifications, Congressional Notifications, and Annual Reports, as needed, to ensure readability and quality of presentation.
• Review and analyze a wide range of congressional documents; prepare replies for Questions and Inserts for the Record (QRF/IRF).
• Research and draft analyses and syntheses of information and provide time-sensitive oral and written reports, as well as updates to both internal and external audiences.
• Research and draft background papers, talking points, written and oral statements for leadership.
• Collaborate with Interagency stakeholders on shared priorities, tasks, and Congressional events.
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to Bureau and Mission staff on legislative processes and Congressional intent. Conduct regular trainings for Bureau and Mission staff to advise on Congressional affairs processes
• Track and coordinate Congressional correspondence in close coordination with the Bureau of Legislative and Public Affairs daily to ensure continuous awareness of Congressional development priorities for the Asia region; maintain a database that identifies the status of all legislative correspondence, briefings and testimony, including all related briefing materials, talking points and testimony; maintain archives, coordinate and create trainings for Bureau and mission staff, and perform records management, and other tasks as assigned

Qualifications:

• Master's degree or expertise in relevant field (such as international development/relations, public administration, or communications) and ten (10) years of professional work experience with a minimum of three (3) years working either on the Hill or in legislative engagement related to international development or U.S. foreign policy.
• Familiarity with legislative and regulatory documents and has a working knowledge of the U.S. government legislative and regulatory process
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills
• Strong planning, management, and execution skills
• Excellent multi-tasking skills with the ability to prioritize across demands
• Ability to adapt to changing work requirements and priorities
• Ability to work effectively both individually and as a member of a team.
• High proficiency in use of Google applications.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

• Knowledge of U.S. government administrative procedures preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of development programs, especially in the Asia region.

Our application process is quick and easy.

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Compensation and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That’s why at ZemiTek we design our benefits packages to reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Our employment benefits include, competitive compensation, health and wellness programs, income protection, paid personal, parental, and medical leave, retirement plans with employer match and immediate vesting, among many other perks.

What We Believe:

ZemiTek is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant’s qualifications are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law.

ZemiTek is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, ZemiTek will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to accommodations@zemitek.com.

ZemiTek embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion and strives to build and maintain a safe environment where we celebrate diverse backgrounds, treat everyone with respect, and value the unique lived experiences each person brings based on their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, military or veteran status, national origin, age, marital status or family status and related conditions.