About Free the Slaves
Founded in 2000, Free the Slaves (FTS) is a leading organization in the global movement to end modern slavery. FTS is dedicated to transforming the conditions that allow modern slavery to persist by implementing innovative, community-based programs that strengthen resilience and reduce vulnerability, while advancing strategic advocacy at the global level.
Free the Slaves works across multiple regions, including South and Southeast Asia, North America, Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
Free the Slaves convenes the Freedom from Slavery Forum and serves as a member of the Global Coordinating Group of Alliance 8.7, representing civil society alongside other leading organizations. As an organization with UN ECOSOC consultative status, Free the Slaves engages in strategic advocacy to influence the agendas of key United Nations bodies, including the United Nations Security Council, the United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations Human Rights Council, and the United Nations Business and Human Rights agenda. FTS also engages with regional institutions, including the Organization of American States and the European Commission.
Position Overview
The Policy and Advocacy Officer will lead Free the Slaves’ policy and advocacy work to influence key agendas at the United Nations and other multilateral and regional institutions, including the United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations Security Council, the United Nations Human Rights Council, the United Nations Business and Human Rights agenda, the Organization of American States, the European Commission, and Alliance 8.7.
From armed conflict induced modern slavery to climate change induced modern slavery, the Policy and Advocacy officer will manage an interesting portfolio that requires influencing high level audiences in order to make a greater impact.
The Policy and Advocacy Officer will manage key institutional relationships, identify and create opportunities for engagement with stakeholders, produce advocacy materials such as briefs and policy notes, organize media briefings and events, and represent FTS in meetings, conferences, and convenings to strengthen the organization’s visibility and influence.
The Policy and Advocacy Officer will lead the design and implementation of FTS’ advocacy strategy, collaborate closely with internal teams and external allies, and represent the organization in strategic meetings and advocacy initiatives.
The Policy and Advocacy Officer reports to the Director of Global Engagement, Policy and Advocacy, and supervises other staff as needed.
The Policy and Advocacy Officer will coordinate closely with the Programs, Communications, and Fundraising teams. The Officer will monitor global affairs, identify timely advocacy opportunities, and support FTS in leading collective action with allies, partners, and stakeholders.
Geographic Location and Travel
• This position is based in New York City. The successful candidate will work from an FTS-affiliated office near the United Nations, with the possibility of discussing limited remote work arrangements.
• This role requires frequent travel within the United States and Canada, as well as occasional international travel.
Key Responsibilities
The Policy and Advocacy Officer will:
• Represent Free the Slaves at relevant policy and advocacy meetings, conferences, and convenings, including by identifying opportunities to present FTS’ priorities, positions, and organizational work.
• Design and implement FTS’ policy and advocacy strategy using research and credible data; determine advocacy priorities; and provide leadership in shaping the organization’s advocacy agenda, with the support and engagement of allies, partners, and stakeholders.
• Engage in direct advocacy with key stakeholders, particularly within the United Nations and regional institutions, and establish and maintain strong relationships with allies, partners, and decision-makers.
• Raise awareness of modern slavery issues at the United Nations and other relevant forums by working with partners, allies, and stakeholders to advance specific advocacy goals and enhance FTS’ profile and visibility.
• Develop creative and effective advocacy approaches that strengthen Free the Slaves’ impact and reinforce its leadership in the anti-slavery movement, including at the United Nations and in relevant U.S. policy spaces.
• Lead FTS’ policy and advocacy agenda, with a focus on accountability and transparency, and ensure its implementation at the United Nations and globally, as needed.
• Manage FTS’ advocacy related to the United Nations Security Council by influencing relevant peace and security agendas and engaging with UN entities as appropriate.
• Manage FTS’ advocacy related to the United Nations General Assembly, including engagement on relevant agenda items across its six committees.
• Initiate and support research and publications on United Nations-related policy and advocacy matters.
• Serve as the organizational point of contact or lead for education campaigns with a focus on policy and advocacy, as determined by the organizational strategy.
• In collaboration with the Communications team, draft and disseminate digital advocacy messages through social media and other online platforms.
• Manage FTS’ engagement with key coalitions, such as ATEST and CLC.
• In collaboration with the Head of Fundraising, participate in organizational fundraising activities and engage as needed.
• Ensure Free the Slaves’ visibility at the United Nations and create opportunities to strengthen audience awareness of modern slavery issues, including at key United Nations events.
• Submit reports, internal and external, as needed.
• Attend internal meetings and carry out other duties as assigned.
Key Relationships
The Policy and Advocacy Officer will:
• Report to the Director of Global Engagement, Policy and Advocacy.
• Serve as the organizational focal point for United Nations advocacy matters and effectively engage the Executive Director and the Director of Global Engagement, Policy and Advocacy in strategic advocacy efforts.
• With the Development team, participate in proposal development as needed.
• Supervise staff assigned to the Advocacy team.
• Collaborate with the Communications and Digital Engagement team to share advocacy messages and content.
• Work closely with the Programs, Research, Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation, and country teams to align programmatic goals and advocacy efforts.
• Work effectively with the Finance Department to ensure accurate tracking of advocacy budget expenditures.
• Collaborate with all teams to ensure their participation in advocacy efforts as needed.
Preferred Qualifications
• Graduate studies in international affairs, law, political science, economics, or public administration.
• Experience in government, United Nations agencies, or regional institutions.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience as an advocacy strategist working with the United Nations or related multilateral institutions.
• Demonstrated breadth and depth of expertise and experience in advocacy related to the United Nations.
• Demonstrated experience with, and strong knowledge of, the United Nations, particularly the UN Security Council, the UN General Assembly, the Human Rights Council, the UN Business and Human Rights agenda, and Alliance 8.7.
• Deep personal connection and/or demonstrated commitment to the organizational mission.
• Excellent attention to detail, with strong analytical skills and sound judgment.
• Strong writing skills and a demonstrated ability to produce clear, accurate, and compelling materials.
• Ability to communicate clearly and consistently with a variety of technical and non-technical audiences, including staff, stakeholders, donors, and board members, both orally and in writing.
• Superior negotiating, organizational, analytical, and influencing skills, including the ability to interpret UN resolutions, statements, and information, and to manage data.
• Experience managing budgets, with the capacity to utilize resources strategically.
• Strong knowledge of new media and understanding of current and emerging media platforms, technologies and trends.
• Strong experience in research and media engagement.
• An understanding of the human rights and anti-modern slavery environment.
• Demonstrated experience and excellence in presenting and public speaking.
• Experience developing and implementing advocacy strategies in partnership with civil society coalitions, survivor-led organizations, or community-based partners.
• Strong understanding of international human rights frameworks, forced labor, human trafficking, modern slavery, and related accountability mechanisms.
• Experience engaging with diplomats, United Nations missions, government officials, and multilateral stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex policy issues into clear advocacy messages, briefing notes, talking points, and public-facing materials.
• Experience organizing high-level events, side events, briefings, consultations, or convenings at the United Nations or similar multilateral forums.
• Ability to work across cultures and time zones with diverse partners, including advocates, policymakers, researchers, and affected communities.
• Familiarity with survivor-informed, trauma-informed, and rights-based approaches to anti-slavery or human rights advocacy.
• In addition to English, proficiency in French, Arabic, and/or Spanish would be a strong asset.
• Strong knowledge of the United Nations system.
Compensation
Commensurate with experience. FTS offers competitive benefits, a positive working environment, and opportunities for professional development.
How to apply
How to Apply
Applicants should submit a tailored cover letter that outlines their interest and experience, a resume, and a list of three references from former direct supervisors. Please submit these as one Word or PDF document to Careers@freetheslaves.net.
Please include your last name in the title of the document.
Free the Slaves is an equal-opportunity organization. Qualified applicants are considered for employment and consultancies without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. Survivors of modern slavery and trafficking with required qualifications are strongly encouraged to apply.