HOW TO BECOME A PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCATE?

There are several ways to become a public policy advocate , as well as several kinds of public policy advocates. Candidates must be gifted in the art of persuasion and have an amiable personality. While public policy advocates come all manner of different backgrounds, their common denominator is their ability to get policymakers to adopt certain policy changes, in a way that makes most parties involved happy.

Method 1: Determining if you are a good fit

1. Determine whether you are naturally sociable and influential. Public policy advocates  try to influence policy in a couple of different ways. At the end of the day, their job boils down to being sociable and influential. Are you:

• Adept at getting your way, even when significant challenges present themselves?
• Good at meeting new people, maintaining connections, and growing your network?
• Skilled in doing favors for other people?
• Experienced in explaining complex issues to people in simple, direct terms?

2. Know that no educational requirements exist for becoming a public policy advocate

You don’t need a college degree in order to become a public policy advocate, nor do you need to pass a certification requirement. All you need is the ability to make meaningful connections with politicians in important places, and the ability to sway them along the way. On the other hand, most people who become public policy advocate do have at least a Bachelor’s degree. The only things that matter when it comes to education as a public policy advocate are:

• Your ability to analyse information and develop a coherent political strategy
• Your ability to stay informed and up to date on global and political issues
• Your ability to predict which issues will stay important, which issues will fade from  importance, and which issues will become important in the future.

3. Gauge your ability to move quickly and deal results.

Are you fast-paced and action-oriented? Your ability to succeed as a public policy advocate may depend on these qualities. Public policy advocates get paid to produce results which means that if circumstances intervene and keep you from getting your desired results, you’ll have to pivot quickly and find another way to get the job done.

Method 2: Becoming a Public Policy Advocate

1. Decide on what type of public policy advocacy you would like to pursue as early as possible. Public policy advocacy jobs can differ greatly from each other, but public policy advocates work hand in hand with legislators to achieve certain political goals.

• Paid public policy advocacy vs. free public policy advocacy. Most public policy advocacy happens when a business or professional organization hires someone to represent their interests at national or EU level. Some public policy advocates, however, do decide to work pro bono, in the interest of a special (usually non-profit) cause, or simply because they are retired. Choosing pro bono representation could help convince others of your refusal to be swayed by money.
• Single-issue vs. multi-issue public policy advocacy. Decide whether you want to advocate for a single issue or cause, or whether you want your cause to be broader, encompassing a wider swath of issues. Those who work for the interests of corporations tend to be single-issue public policy advocates, while those who work for the interests of trade unions tend to be multi-issue public policy advocates.
• Inside vs. outside public policy advocacy. Inside (or direct) public policy advocacy is when a representative tries to influence policy by directly contacting legislators and government officials. Indirect public policy advocacy is when a representative tries to influence policy by mobilizing a community of people outside the centre of decision-making usually by grassroots organization, public relation, and advertising.

2. Achieve at least a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in political science, law, economics or field related:

Public policy advocates have to be experts on issues they work on, so it’s important to start learning about political issues and policies as early as possible. While there are no education requirements in place for becoming a public policy advocate , it never hurts to be informed and knowledgeable about issues in general, as well as the specific interests you may be advocating for.

3. Seek out public policy advocacy while in college. Internships in state institutions or in parliament provide valuable experience and boost your public policy advocacy résumé.

• Interns primarily complete research, attend and take notes at hearings, answer phone calls and send out e-mails, read mail, and learn about issues that are at the heart of your constituency. These positions are usually unpaid and are available during semesters and summer months.

4. Try and meet as many public policy advocates or otherwise related professionals during your internship. Often, who you know is just as helpful as your qualifications in getting your first job. Much of your job as a public policy advocate is forming relationships with key people who can help you achieve your goal. Learning to advocate other public policy advocates is a uniquely essential skill.

5. Learn the art of persuasion. As a public policy advocate, your most basic job is to persuade a public official (MP, MEP, government official) or a group of people that a particular idea holds traction or that a particular policy deserves attention. In order to do this, you must be charming, persistent and persuasive.

• Start building relationships with the appropriate policymakers. Public policy advocates can sit down with a policymaker and help draft legislation that both serves the policymaker’s constituency and fulfils the public policy advocate’s goal. In order to do this, you need to be both personable and persuasive.
• Get social. Public policy advocates organize cocktail parties and dinners in order to rub shoulders with other public policy advocates and policymakers in a less intense and adversarial atmosphere. These are great opportunities for you learn information, sell ideas, and make connections. Don’t underestimate them.

6. Get involved with local issues. You can often accomplish some grassroots advocacy on the local level. Grassroots public policy advocates focus on getting the community involved by making phone calls or writing letters to their legislators to sway policy. Grassroots advocacy could provide a welcome break from the intensely closed-rooms negotiations of direct public policy advocacy.
7. Get used to really long hours. Being a public policy advocate is not a walk in the park. According to some sources, public policy advocates regularly work between 40 and 80 hours per week, with all-nighters becoming he norm right before a proposal is up for vote. The silver lining is that a lot of the gruelling work you’ll be doing is networking meaning that you won’t necessarily be perched behind a desk for early mornings and long nights.

Tips

• Your primary role as a public policy advocate will be swaying legislation. Charm and charisma are required for the job. Public policy advocates often host dinner or cocktail parties for politicians.
• Law and Public Relations are excellent job choices while trying to gain more experience.
• Work experience and extensive knowledge are the most important factors when a candidate is being considered for a public policy advocacy position.

Warnings

• Public policy advocates have shaky relationships with the public's trust. You will most likely encounter people who will assume you are corrupt just because you are a public policy advocate .
• As a public policy advocate , you will always be working on advocating for another organization's interests. There will always be the possibility of working for a cause that you don't believe in.

AALEP PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCACY EXECUTIVE CERTIFICATE PROGRAMME®

In order to enable individuals and entities to develop their competencies to use public policy advocacy tools and mechanisms effectively and raise their awareness of participation in the decision-making process, the delivery of a multi-modular training programme is viewed as a crucial activity.

The AALEP EXECUTIVE CERTIFICATE PROGRAMME® is a long-term course that extends over a six month period. The whole training is implemented in 6 teaching modules, each module lasting for 24 hours of direct teaching delivered in 4 days of six hours per month (Fridays and Saturdays). Each module is focused to specific subject relevant for understanding the process of Public Policy Advocacy. All modules are delivered through non-formal methodology where a balance between theory and practice is achieved.

Aside of modular lectures and practical work each participant receives individual support services after each delivered module in order to receive additional support or use time for consulting on relevant matters for the course.

The AALEP EXECUTIVE CERTIFICATE PROGRAMME® contributes to the capacity building of the organizations represented, increased visibility of the organizations on a national level, and the development of partnerships/coalitions among the organizations working with the same target group within one country.

Capacity building: The AALEP EXECUTIVE CERTIFICATE PROGRAMME® contributes in the mutual capacity building of both participants and their organizations to engage in public policy advocacy. Indeed, participants are able to share their experience within their organization and see the organization they are associated with as an entity that can work in public policy advocacy to achieve its objectives. The capacity building is seen in terms of gaining knowledge for public policy advocacy i.e. advocacy process, analyses of legislation, partnership cooperation on national level, gaining experience for initiating change in legislation, working with different institutions, preparation of policy paper, developing, organizing and implementing advocacy campaigns.

Increased visibility and increased potential to influence the decision-making process: In terms of getting in contact with relevant stakeholders, gaining support from decision-makers, or just possession of capacity in public policy advocacy.

The AALEP EXECUTIVE CERTIFICATE PROGRAMME ® provides the skills and knowledge to get involved in decision-making processes on a local, regional, national, European or international level, increased knowledge and understanding of national and European policies, legislation and utilization of policy paper to initiate policy change, increased communications with public authorities and implementation of advocacy actions (campaigns).

In terms of sustainability, it is up to the participants to implement the gained knowledge and skills i.e. to use their advocacy capacities and to act vigorously in the implementation of activities that will achieve their desired outcomes. Through the training they have received, participants will know what to do and how to do it and see the practicality behind these activities. The structure of the AALEP EXECUTIVE CERTIFICATE PROGRAMME® enables participants to face the challenge in the public policy advocacy process and puts them in a position to respond to these challenges.

For some the AALEP Programme may be their start in public policy advocacy. For others it may be an additional upgrade where they can identify their strengths and weaknesses in this process.