Project Manager, Influencing U.S. government on international children and youth issues : RFP

Apply by 16th Sep 24

ChildFund’s External Affairs and Partnerships team is seeking an expert consultant to support execution of an advocacy-focused grant meant to influence the U.S. government in creating a mandate, providing funding and instituting structural leadership that prioritizes children and youth within U.S. foreign policy. This consultant would work with fellow grantees within the child rights community to advocate for this prioritization, as well as push for greater cross-sectoral and cross-governmental coordination and collaboration on issues impacting children, girls
and youth within U.S. diplomacy and foreign assistance.

The following Statement of Work outlines a project scope for an independent consultant to support the grant execution. The consultant will be based remotely and managed by Danielle Lilly, ChildFund Director of Policy.

Request for Proposals

Date August 28, 2024
Client ChildFund International
Job Name Project Manager, Influencing U.S. government on international children and youth issues

Location: Remote, but preferably based in or near Washington, D.C.

Time frame: September 30, 2024 – February 28, 2025

Compensation: $50,000, over 5-month period

Requested by: Danielle Lilly, Director of Policy

Project Scope
This scope covers the following activities and deliverables from September 30, 2024 – February 28, 2025 The Project Manager will oversee ChildFund’s grant, “Whole Child, Whole Future: Channeling U.S. foreign policy and assistance so young people can change their world”. ChildFund’s Project Manager’s responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Strengthen and facilitate effective collaboration between NGOs and across complementary sectors
• Conduct a post-election analysis of members of the 119th Congress to identify potential new champions supportive of children and youth issues to inform ChildFund’s advocacy strategy:
• Following the 2024 election, research incoming members of Congress to assess their potential to become new champions for children and youth issues. This research should include, but is not limited to, reviewing potential targets’ election platforms, work histories, past statements and past voting record, if applicable. Based on the research, create a list of priority targets, as well as outline
  individuals/organizations that could be influential messengers, what areas affecting children are most likely to resonate with them and potential issues of contention to avoid.
• Organize a high-profile Capitol Hill event in early 2025 on the Whole Child agenda targeting potential Hill champions: Work closely with fellow grantees to plan an event on Capitol Hill for
  congressional offices, utilizing the post-election analysis to determine potential targets. Example related activities may include securing a room, identifying and inviting speakers, sending out
  invitations to congressional offices, etc.
• Support efforts to influence the current and new administration and U.S. Congress: This could including update the grant workplan, executing the advocacy strategy, representing the organization
  at external coalition meetings and providing logistical support to plan and execute successful meetings with partners and policy targets.
• Monitor public policy and trends: Conduct social and traditional news media monitoring to track legislation and administration policies related to domestic and international child protection issues
• Conduct policy research: Support advocacy team in research efforts related to areas of policy interest, as needed
• Oversee grant workplan and budget: Coordinate with ChildFund’s Finance team monthly to ensure grant spending is on track and produce a final grant report summarizing grant-related activities and spending.
• Coordinate with external consultants to support “A Generation at Stake” website maintenance: Work closely with website maintenance staff to update the site with new products, updated information, etc., as needed.
• Support concept development of new funding for Whole Child portfolio, including coordinating with grant partners funded by Tides Initiative.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Policy

Experience and professional requirements:

• Undergraduate degree in political science, public policy, international relations or a related field, advanced degree preferred
• Strong understanding of the federal government, Congress and the legislative process, including appropriations
• Experience working with a variety of Hill offices across the political spectrum preferred
• Strong research and policy analysis skills
• Experience facilitating and leading coalitions or other relevant experience to convene partners
• Understanding of child rights frameworks and meaningful youth engagement
• Project management experience, including budget oversight
• Detail-oriented, motivated self-starter who enjoys a collaborative, fast-paced work environment
• Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office software
•  5-7 years of relevant policy influence experience required

Project Assumptions

• The External Affairs and Partnerships team will provide the consultant with an overview of ChildFund’s programmatic and advocacy work and priorities and an overview of project expectations.
• The External Affairs and Partnerships team will make all reasonable efforts to be available to provide iterative feedback on the policy mapping process and progress. The consultant will make all reasonable efforts to be available to support client meetings and related requests associated with this Statement of Work. The External
• Engagement team will maintain final approval of content before the reports are finalized.

Intellectual Property

• All products produced related to the project’s execution will be the intellectual property of ChildFund
• International. Consultant may use this content as a work sample on their website and/or with prospective clients.

Process
For those interested parties, please submit a 2-3-page proposal outlining how you would accomplish the above deliverables, along with accompanying qualifications. Please send any questions and final proposals to Danielle Lilly (dlilly@childfund). The deadline for submission is September 16, 2024.