About the Institute
The Institute for Free Speech (IFS), formerly the Center for Competitive Politics, is a nonpartisan organization that promotes and defends the First Amendment rights to freely speak, assemble, publish, and petition the government. The Institute is the nation’s largest organization dedicated solely to protecting First Amendment political rights. IFS has played a key role in every major pro-political free speech case decided by the Supreme Court since 2006.
Through litigation, policy analysis, original research, media outreach, and educational activities, the Institute informs the public of the benefits of freedom and dynamism in the area of political free speech and opposes McCain-Feingold style regulation of campaigns and other restrictions that limit the ability of citizens and groups to participate in the political process and support the candidates and causes of their choice.
About the Role
The Institute for Free Speech is searching for a dynamic, detail-oriented, and driven Policy Analyst with strong writing and critical thinking skills to assist with the development and dissemination of policy in support of the Institute’s mission to promote and defend our First Amendment rights to free political speech, press, assembly, and petition. The Policy Analyst will have the opportunity to contribute significantly to the Institute’s expanding body of work championing First Amendment speech freedoms. This role will be based at IFS’s headquarters in the Washington, D.C. area.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with the Director of External Relations and senior staff in developing organizational policy on new and emerging topics
- Produce brief policy papers explaining the organization’s position on issues implicating speech, press, assembly, and petition rights
- Author in-depth policy reports and primers for consumption by the public, policymakers, and media overviewing and assessing the benefits and drawbacks to a particular policy or policies
- Publish regular op-eds and blog posts on pertinent political speech-related issues with the guidance of the Communications Director and the Director of External Relations
- Periodically assist the Director of External Relations in drafting and updating brief analyses and/or talking points detailing the practical and constitutional issues with pending state and federal legislation for distribution to legislators, committee staff, allies, media, and the public
- Monitor and occasionally attend hearings on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures as well as relevant policy and networking events during office hours and infrequently after close of business
- Attend conferences of policymakers and like-minded allies to promote the organization’s mission and resources several times a year (travel typically required)
- Infrequently assist the Director of External Relations in monitoring state and federal legislative and regulatory proposals
- Design infographics to advance particular policy or research arguments articulated by the Institute
- Expect to be featured as the author of the policy papers and reports, op-eds, and blog posts they write
Requirements
- 2-5 years of relevant experience working with/around policy (internships may be considered relevant experience)
- 4-year Bachelor’s degree required
- Interest in political science or a related field and in defending the First Amendment’s guarantee of free political speech
- Strong writing and critical thinking skills
- Detail-oriented personality
- Desire to learn and engage with new and challenging policy issues
- Eagerness to immerse oneself in media coverage and commentary on myriad speech-related issues while strategizing about the Institute’s response to those issues
- Ability to work independently as well as part of a collaborative team
- Working knowledge of the basics of campaign finance law will be viewed favorably but is not a necessity
- Experience working or interning in Congress or in a state legislature is a significant plus, but not required.
Application Instructions
Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials in one PDF document:
- Cover letter detailing interest in the position, relevant professional experience with regard to the mission of the organization and the Policy Analyst role, and salary requirements
- Résumé
- An unofficial copy of the applicant’s college transcript (an official copy may be requested before an offer is extended)
- Two writing samples (past professional work, college papers, op-eds, or blog posts) of roughly 5 pages in length each reflecting solely the applicant’s own work [Writing samples focused on political speech issues are desirable, but not a prerequisite to being considered]
- Names, contact information, and relationship details of at least two references able to speak to the applicant’s professional experience and/or character
All applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/.
Questions can be directed to Katy Ranville, Network Engagement Manager at Talent Market, who is assisting with the search: katy@talentmarket.org.
While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.
Talent Market is a nonprofit entity dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide free consulting and recruiting services to free-market think tanks, policy organizations, research centers, and capacity-building institutions dedicated to advancing the principles of limited government and free enterprise.
