Now Hiring: Lobbyist - Access to Medicine - Public Citizen, Washington, DC

[Sherry Joseph]

Lobbyist - Public Citizen's Global Access to Medicines Program

Public Citizen is a non-partisan public interest group with 400,000 members and activists. Key areas of organizational focus include trade policy, pharmaceutical drug safety and consumer health, among others.

Public Citizen’s Global Access to Medicines Program works with partners worldwide to challenge pharmaceutical industry monopoly power and advance access to medicines for all. We support public agencies and civil society groups with technical and strategic assistance to overcome patent exclusivities and make use of cost-lowering measures including generic competition, in order to promote health and save lives. (See: http://www.citizen.org/access.)

DESCRIPTION: Global advocacy and generic medicines have produced a revolution in HIV/AIDS treatment in recent years, reducing first-line medicines prices by 99% in developing countries and helping more than ten million people access lifesaving drugs. Cost solutions are every bit as vital today, including for Americans, as prices for new cancer and heart disease products, among others, quickly rise. U.S. and state programs ration access to hepatitis C treatment. A global movement supports access to affordable medicines, but abuses of monopoly powers written into legislation and harmful trade agreement provisions threaten to undermine progress.

We help patients’ groups and public agencies exercise their health rights. We assess new developments in policy and law with a particular focus on patents and licensing policy, free trade agreements, test data and U.S. government biomedical research. We work with coalition partners to promote game-changing ideas that advance pharmaceutical access and innovation simultaneously.

The access to medicines lobbyist will represent Public Citizen before Congress, executive agencies, national organizations and the media.

RESPONSIBILITIES: The lobbyist's responsibilities may include:

• Organize and conduct meetings with members of Congress, congressional staff and executive branch officials. Maintain regular communications with staff and, with the support of Public Citizen colleagues, broaden congressional understanding of political issues that jeopardize or advance access to medicines. 

• Assist congressional staff with strategic advice to advance access to medicines priorities and conceptualize and manage campaigns in close consultation with Public Citizen’s directors.

• Develop quality written products such as formal correspondence, fact sheets, news releases and op-eds. 

• Work with and organize coalition partners including major civic groups.

• Track relevant legislation; provide analysis in cooperation with Public Citizen staff.

• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

  
  QUALIFICATIONS: Ideally candidates will demonstrate highly relevant:
  
  Knowledge: Familiarity with Capitol Hill strongly preferred; familiarity with U.S. healthcare programs, global development, intellectual property or access to medicines issues helpful but not required.
  
  Work Experience: Several years lobbying and/or public policy advocacy experience strongly preferred.
  
  Skills: Strong analytical, writing, research, communications and political organizing skills.
  
  Capabilities: Ability to work alone and in collaboration; attention to detail and technical accuracy; ability to envision project development and complete work on deadline; commitment to standing up to corporate power; flexibility and ability to respond quickly to new developments.
  
  Conditions: Passion for justice and the work; commitment to advancing the public interest.
  
  The Lobbyist will report to the Global Access to Medicines Program Director and to Public Citizen's President.
  
  This position is based in Washington, D.C.  
  
  SALARY AND BENEFITS: Competitive non-profit salary commensurate with experience. Good medical and dental coverage. Three weeks paid vacation for new employees.
  
  TO APPLY: Submit a note of interest, resume or C.V., two reference contacts and two writing samples unedited by anyone other than the applicant to medsa...@citizen.org. This is a grant-contingent position.
  
  

Public Citizen is an equal opportunity employer and maintains a non-smoking workplace.  Visit our website at www.citizen.org/.