Advocacy Officer (Global)

Position Summary

The Advocacy Officer leads SAPA's work to turn verified field evidence into influence — over policymakers, multilateral bodies, and public opinion — on behalf of Sudan and the health system SAPA helps sustain. Reporting to the Director, SAPA Global Communications, you set and drive SAPA's advocacy strategy across three arenas: the U.S. government and Congress, the United Nations and multilateral institutions, and the Sudanese diaspora and grassroots base.

This is a senior role for someone who can move fluently between a hospital report from the field and a briefing for a Congressional staffer or UN mission. You will build the coalitions, write the policy products, mobilize the community, and shape the public narrative that keep Sudan's humanitarian crisis — and the protection of health workers and health facilities — on the agenda. Rigorous sourcing is non-negotiable: every figure and claim you advance must trace to a verified source.

Key Responsibilities

1. Advocacy strategy & policy analysis

• Develop, own, and drive SAPA's global advocacy strategy, with clear objectives, targets, and measurable milestones across all three arenas.
• Monitor and analyze political, humanitarian, and policy developments affecting Sudan and translate them into timely positions and recommendations.
• Research, write, and maintain high-quality advocacy products — policy briefs, position papers, talking points, fact sheets, and reports — grounded in SAPA's verified field evidence.

2. Government & multilateral engagement

• Engage U.S. policymakers, Congressional offices, and committees to advance SAPA's policy priorities on Sudan, humanitarian access, and the protection of healthcare.
• Represent SAPA before the United Nations and multilateral bodies, preparing submissions, statements, and side-event participation as opportunities arise.
• Track legislation, resolutions, and funding decisions relevant to Sudan, and prepare SAPA spokespeople for hearings, meetings, and briefings.

3. Coalition & partnership building

• Build and sustain coalitions with humanitarian, health, human-rights, and Sudanese civil-society organizations to amplify shared advocacy goals.
• Represent SAPA in advocacy networks and working groups, and identify opportunities for joint statements, campaigns, and collective action.
• Cultivate relationships with allied policymakers, diplomats, and institutional partners.

4. Grassroots & diaspora mobilization

• Design and run campaigns that activate the Sudanese diaspora and SAPA's supporter base around key advocacy moments and calls to action.
• Develop toolkits, action alerts, and guidance that equip community members and volunteers to engage their own representatives effectively.
• Connect grassroots energy to institutional advocacy so community voice reaches decision-makers.

5. Media & public advocacy

• Shape SAPA's public advocacy narrative in close coordination with SAPA Global Communications, including op-eds, statements, and rapid responses to developments.
• Support media and spokesperson engagement on policy issues, providing accurate framing, messaging, and verified data.
• Help ensure advocacy messaging is consistent across SAPA's channels and aligned with the organization's voice and standards.

Required Qualifications

• 6+ years of progressively responsible experience in advocacy, public policy, government relations, or international affairs — ideally in humanitarian, global health, or human-rights contexts.
• Demonstrated track record engaging policymakers and/or multilateral institutions (U.S. Congress, executive agencies, the UN, or comparable).
• Excellent policy writing — proven ability to produce sharp briefings, position papers, and talking points under deadline.
• Strong coalition-building and stakeholder-management skills across diverse partners and cultures.
• Fluent English (written and spoken); Arabic is a strong asset.
• Solid understanding of the Sudan crisis and the broader humanitarian, protection, and international-law landscape.
• Uncompromising on accuracy — every figure and claim advanced must trace to a verified source.

Assets (Preferred)

• Established networks on Capitol Hill, within executive agencies, or among UN missions in New York or Geneva.
• Experience organizing or mobilizing diaspora or grassroots constituencies.
• Background in health, medical, or humanitarian programming.
• Media and spokesperson experience; comfort representing an organization publicly.
• Familiarity with the Sudanese-American or broader Sudanese diaspora community.

Working Conditions

• Full-time, remote-first; candidates may be based anywhere, with reliable internet and meaningful overlap with U.S. working hours.
• Proximity to Washington, D.C. or New York is a strong asset given the U.S. and UN focus, but is not required.
• Periodic travel for hearings, briefings, UN sessions, coalition convenings, and — where appropriate and safe — SAPA field or partner engagements.
• Occasional evening or weekend work around key advocacy moments and breaking developments.

Organization Background
The Sudanese American Physicians Association (SAPA) is a nonprofit, professional, and
humanitarian organization established in January 2019. SAPA is registered in the State of Texas
as a 501(c)(3) organization and operates with a U.S.-based headquarters.
SAPA has grown into the leading Sudanese medical humanitarian organization, supporting
hospitals, health facilities, and emergency medical services in conflict-affected and displacement
settings across Sudan and neighboring countries. Its work spans emergency response, health
system strengthening, advocacy, and institutional partnerships with multilateral and international
donors.

Compensation & Benefits

SAPA offers a competitive nonprofit compensation package for this role:

• Benefits including health coverage, paid time off, and retirement contributions, in line with SAPA's benefits policy.
• A remote-first, mission-driven environment working alongside a committed global team.

What Success Looks Like (First 6 Months)

• A clear, written SAPA advocacy strategy with defined priorities, targets, and milestones across the three arenas.
• An initial set of advocacy products in circulation and at least one substantive engagement with a U.S. policymaker office and/or UN channel.
• Active membership in relevant coalitions and a first diaspora mobilization moment delivered.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following to SAPA Global Communications:

1. A current CV or résumé.
2. A cover letter outlining relevant advocacy experience and your interest in Sudan.
3. 1–2 writing samples (e.g., a policy brief, position paper, op-ed, or talking points you authored).

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

SAPA is an equal-opportunity employer and welcomes applicants of all backgrounds.