Location: Washington, DC
Education: BA required, JD strongly preferred
Salary: DOE (Depending on Experience)

Polaris Project is a nationally recognized organization working to combat human trafficking and modern-day slavery since 2002.  Polaris Project is seeking a US Policy Program Specialist to help build its U.S. Policy Program, which is currently in an expansion phase.  Based out of our headquarters in Washington, DC, the U.S. Policy Program works to improve federal, state, and local legislative policy related to human trafficking in the United States and to ensure that current and new laws are being implemented effectively.

Job Description:
•    Draft and analyze state legislative policy proposals intended to criminalize human trafficking, effectively link survivors to needed services, prevent human trafficking, and collect data.
•    Assess implementation of current state human trafficking and related laws and identify obstacles to effective implementation as well as best practices.
•    Prepare written advocacy materials for diverse readership, from legislative staff to grassroots supporters and the general public.
•    Work within varied coalitions of anti-trafficking advocates at the local and national levels to lobby for and promote improved anti-trafficking laws and policy.
•    Assist in monitoring state anti-human trafficking and related legislation.
•    Conduct training and outreach to varied audiences.
•    Support federal advocacy efforts.
•    Assist in supervising young attorneys and graduate student volunteers.
•    For attorneys, there may be limited opportunities to assist in providing legal services to human trafficking survivors.
•    Assist in the organization and creation of systems to manage effectively the work of the U.S. Policy Program.

The US Policy Program Specialist will work with other staff in Polaris Project’s national headquarters office and will directly report to the Managing Attorney and Policy Counsel.

Professional Qualifications:
•    Excellent verbal and written communication skills
•    Minimum of 4 years’ experience with policy advocacy efforts at the national or state level
•    Experience with and demonstrated commitment to combating human trafficking or similar human rights violations
•    Demonstrated experience, competence, and confidence working independently and as part of a team
•    Practical or academic knowledge of the human trafficking movement preferred

Personal Qualifications:
•    Ability to work well under pressure and maintain composure during stressful situations
•    Comfort with principled but pragmatic approaches to policy challenges
•    Comfort working with partners from across the political spectrum
•    General flexibility and ease of movement between multiple projects
•    Resiliently positive and energetic attitude

How to Apply: All application materials should be sent electronically as attachments to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   Materials should include a custom cover letter, resume, a relevant writing sample, and three references, plus any additional personal statements you may wish to include.  The deadline for application is rolling, until a candidate is chosen, so early application is advised.