Staff Assistant to Amb. Norm Eisen

Democracy Defenders Action, a 501(c)(4) organization

Full time, Non-exempt, Remote (preference for DC)

Organizational Overview

The Democracy Defenders family of organizations (a c3, c4, legally separate PAC, and The Contrarian) is a leader in the fight against authoritarianism, working strategically in the courts and court of public opinion to restore American democracy by: upholding the rule of law, safeguarding free and fair elections, and fighting corruption.

Role Purpose

The staff assistant bolsters Amb. Eisen in his capacity as Co-Founder and Board Member of Democracy Defenders Action (c4) and Executive Chair of Democracy Defenders Fund (c3), a portfolio that includes legal and litigation matters, research and analysis, writing for The Contrarian, fundraising, and frequent engagement with stakeholders. Alongside Amb. Eisen and his Chief of Staff, the staff assistant will prepare strategic materials, attend meetings, and perform a variety of administrative duties. 

The staff assistant reports to the Chief of Staff and shares responsibilities with a core team supporting Amb. Eisen, including other staff assistants and an Executive Assistant. Early morning, late evening, and weekend work required.  

This is an excellent opportunity for someone interested in supporting a high-intensity, highly-impactful principal, and gaining exposure to several different fields, including law, elections, communications, nonprofit administration, and fundraising.

To best protect, strengthen, and rebuild our democracy, it is critical that DDA’s staff reflects the diversity of backgrounds and experiences represented in the democracy we seek to defend.  Applicants of all backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Responsibilities

• Help draft project proposals, reports, and other strategic documents
• Prepare materials for publication and support the Contrarian portfolio including Amb. Eisen’s weekly Publisher’s Note
• Maintain key stakeholder relationships, including with partner organizations
• Organize, participate in, and notetake on meetings with stakeholders
• Help manage Amb. Eisen’s social media presence
• Assist with fundraising efforts
• Perform administrative duties including scheduling and recordkeeping
• Collaborate with the Amb. Eisen, the Chief of Staff, and the core team to problem solve
• Other tasks as needed

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• 1-2 years professional experience in a public service office, non-profit, advocacy organization, or other comparable environment is preferred but not required; experience working with senior executives is preferred
• Strong time management skills, including the ability to meet deadlines, prioritize tasks appropriately, and juggle multiple assignments at once
• Sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive or confidential information
• Ability to work collaboratively and with a sense of humor with colleagues in a fast-paced and high-stakes environment
• Creative problem solving and improvisation
• Excellent written and oral communication abilities, including proofreading, editing, and factchecking
• Attention to detail
• Technology proficiency in all basic office software (Google and Microsoft suites) and social media (Bluesky, X, Threads)
• Unwavering commitment to defeating election sabotage and denial, fighting autocracy, and building a resilient democracy; Experience (professional, volunteer, or otherwise) advancing democracy, election integrity, and the rule of law
• Commitment to diversity and inclusivity and an ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs

Role and Compensation Details 

• The staff assistant position is expected to work irregular hours. Staff assistants will either work Sunday - Thursday or Tuesday - Saturday with evening work required. The base number of hours will be 40/week 
• This role is ideally based in the Washington DC/ DMV area. Candidates who are available for in person tasks and meetings will be given preference, but we are open to this role being remote for the right candidate 
• This role primarily supports Democracy Defenders Action c4 and Democracy Defenders Fund c3 
• The Staff Assistant sits on the Executive Support team and reports to the Chief of Staff
• The salary range for this position is $55,000 - $65,000, commensurate with experience
• DDA provides a comprehensive benefits package including 20+ days of PTO, 12 holidays, health insurance (100% paid for employee and 50% paid for family), 401K with match, tech and home office stipends, coworking space access, and recurring teambuilding opportunities

Application Instructions 

To apply, submit a resume, and in lieu of a cover letter, respond briefly (300 words or less) to the below prompts.

Democracy Defenders Action is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

If you think you meet only some of the qualifications and are unsure about applying, we encourage you to make a case as to why you are a compelling candidate. A human reviews all application materials, and we are eager to hear from candidates who may not meet all of the qualifications, who possess transferable skills, and who have non-traditional work histories.