Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Policy Advocate, Global Finance & Food Systems
at Friends of the Earth
🏢 About Friends of the Earth
Friends of the Earth is one of the longest-standing environmental justice organizations in the US, with over 50 years of advocacy wins at the intersection of environment, finance, and corporate accountability. Unlike groups that focus solely on conservation, FoE takes a systemic approach—challenging the financial drivers of environmental harm, from multilateral development banks to industrial agriculture. Working here means joining a fiercely independent, member-driven network that prioritizes grassroots power and global solidarity.
About This Role
This role is the tip of the spear in FoE's campaign to stop the World Bank Group and other development banks from bankrolling industrial animal agriculture—a major driver of deforestation, emissions, and smallholder displacement. You'll craft advocacy strategies, produce hard-hitting policy analysis, and lead coalitions that pressure financial institutions to shift toward sustainable food systems. It's a high-impact, high-visibility position that blends research, lobbying, and movement-building on a global stage.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve drafting a policy brief on the World Bank's livestock lending, hopping on a call with international partners to coordinate a joint statement, and briefing a journalist on the environmental impact of a specific development bank project. You'll also meet with policymakers or bank officials to push for policy changes, and spend time analyzing new financial data to inform campaign strategy. It's a fast-paced mix of research, advocacy, and relationship management, all aimed at shifting billions of dollars away from destructive agriculture.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Friends of the Earth Is Looking For
- 5+ years of policy advocacy experience, with at least 3 years leading campaigns or initiatives—ideally targeting international financial institutions (IFIs) like the World Bank, IMF, or regional development banks.
- Deep familiarity with the politics of industrial animal agriculture, food systems reform, and the environmental and social harms of intensive livestock production.
- Proven ability to translate complex financial and policy analysis into persuasive advocacy materials for diverse audiences, from policymakers to grassroots allies.
- Strong coalition-building skills, with a track record of aligning civil society, researchers, and international partners around shared advocacy goals—and representing those coalitions in high-level forums.
📝 Tips for Applying to Friends of the Earth
Lead with your IFI advocacy wins: quantify your impact (e.g., 'secured a commitment from X bank to review lending' or 'coordinated a coalition of 30 groups that shifted Y policy').
Show you understand FoE's unique approach—emphasize how your work bridges financial policy and environmental justice, not just generic advocacy.
Name-drop specific World Bank Group policies or campaigns (e.g., IFC's Performance Standards, the World Bank's 'Feed the Future' program) to demonstrate insider knowledge.
Highlight experience working with international partners, especially in the Global South, since this role requires global coalition coordination.
Use your cover letter to propose a concrete advocacy tactic or angle you'd pursue—this shows strategic thinking and initiative.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
In your cover letter, focus on: (1) a specific example of how you changed a development bank's policy or practice, (2) your analysis of why industrial animal agriculture is a critical climate and justice issue, (3) your experience building and leading diverse coalitions across borders, and (4) why Friends of the Earth's legacy and approach excite you. Avoid generic statements about 'passion for the environment'—instead, connect your track record to FoE's campaign goals.
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read FoE's recent reports and campaign pages on food systems, especially any materials on the World Bank or industrial agriculture.
- → Understand the World Bank Group's structure, including the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and its lending portfolio in agribusiness.
- → Research other NGOs working on similar issues (e.g., Grain, Oakland Institute, CIEL) to understand the coalition landscape and FoE's distinct role.
- → Look into FoE's history and current campaigns—especially their 'Food & Agriculture' and 'Finance & Trade' programs—to align your narrative with their priorities.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Being too general about 'sustainable agriculture' without connecting it to the specific financial mechanisms and institutions this role targets.
- Ignoring FoE's global justice framing—focusing only on US policy or domestic impacts misses the international scope of the role.
- Failing to demonstrate coalition-building experience; this role is highly collaborative, and solo-advocate narratives fall flat.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Friends of the Earth!