FOREIGN POLICY ADVISOR

How to Become a Policy Advisor?

To become a policy advisor, you typically need an education in public administration, political science, foreign affairs, or a similar field. Many employers, especially government agencies, prefer candidates with at least a master’s degree, although some employers hire those with just a bachelor’s degree. The exact education requirements vary widely depending on your specific area of interest. Additional qualifications include excellent communication skills, extensive research experience, and a thorough knowledge of the law as it relates to your field. Many of those interested in the career start as a policy analyst before becoming a policy advisor.

View 1861 Policy Advisor jobs on ZipRecruiter today.

What is a Foreign Policy Advisor?

Foreign policy advisors, as their title suggests, provide advice on a variety of foreign policy topics. Most foreign policy advisors work for a governmental agency or serve as political appointees for the state or federal government.

Foreign policy advisors may come from a variety of backgrounds. They may be former scientists, lawyers, economists, and even teachers. These professionals in international relations perform research through experiential situations and provide the government and other public institutions with their findings. Their findings may be in a number of areas relevant to international relations and foreign policy, such as:

• Trade
• Global food supplies
• Energy
• The environment
• Human rights

SPONSORED

Featured Program* The online master’s programs from American University’s School of International Service allow professionals to build international and business expertise in 12–24 months. GRE/GMAT scores not required. 

* Fletcher’s online Master of Global Business Administration from Tufts University prepares students to apply advanced business strategy in a global context. Complete in as few as 16 months. No GRE/GMAT required. 

* Norwich University Online – Master of Arts in International Relations Program- Online

Foreign policy advisors are valuable in a variety of settings, including consulting companies, think tanks, universities, and nonprofit organizations. However, these experts in international relations are most often synonymous with the State Department, the Department of Defense, and the American Foreign Policy Council.

Foreign Policy Advisors in the Department of State, Department of Defense

For more than fifty years, foreign policy advisors—often referred to as POLADs—have been responsible for providing interagency communications and collaboration between the Department of State and the Department of Defense. There are now nearly 100 POLADs working in a number of capacities and settings, including component commands, major headquarters, and in military units within conflict areas of the world.

The Office of the Coordinator of the Foreign Policy Advisor Program (PM/POLAD) coordinates the Department of State and the Department of Defense’s POLADs. The purpose of the PM/POLAD is to bridge the gap between these two federal agencies and serve as a central resource.

PM/POLAD coordinates and manages POLAD support, which is essential to U.S. foreign policy. The PM/POLAD fosters interagency approaches to national security; therefore, their duties include:

• Identifying, recommending, referring and supporting foreign service officers assigned as POLADs to military organizations
• Maintaining communication with deployed POLADs
• Networking with military commands to ensure the proper assignment and engagement of POLADs
• Discovering and placing new POLADs

The PM/POLAD also has one of the most enriching internship programs in the Department of State.

Foreign Policy Advisors in the American Foreign Policy Council (AFPC)

The American Foreign Policy Council has been deeply involved in U.S. foreign policy debate since 1982. This nonprofit organization brings information to those involved in U.S. foreign policy and assists world leaders with building democracies and market economies.

The AFPC works closely with members of Congress, the policymaking community, and the Executive Branch, providing insightful analysis on issues of foreign policy. Specialists in foreign and defense policy and foreign policy advisors provide their services to officials in all levels of government. These international relations professionals are responsible for:

• Providing primary source information and policy options to those who make or influence national security and foreign policies for the U.S.
• Arranging meetings and facilitating dialogue between America and other countries
• Fostering the acceptance and development of representative institutions and free market economies throughout the world

The programs of the AFPC and its staff of foreign policy advisors include:

• Central Asia Counterterrorism Project
• China Program
• Eurasia Program
• Iran Freedom Initiative
• Missile Defense and Proliferation Project
• Russia Program
• South Asia Program

How to Become a Foreign Policy Advisor

Foreign policy advisors often possess an array of educational and professional backgrounds. However, it is commonplace for these experts in foreign policy and international relations to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in foreign policy, international relations, or political science.

Graduate degrees among these professionals are commonplace, given the highly specialized knowledge required to perform this work. For example, a master’s degree in international studies provides an interdisciplinary course of study that often allow students to concentrate their graduate work on a specific area within the field or a specific geographic area. Many of these programs also emphasize language skills, offering coursework in a wide array of languages.

Master’s degrees in international relations, public policy, global affairs, and political science are often highly selective, requiring students to possess impressive undergraduate GPAs, GRE scores, and letters of recommendation. Top programs in international relations also offer top students generous fellowships that help offset costs.

Students seeking master’s degrees in international relations may also find that many institutions offer joint partnerships with law schools and schools of economics and political science as to allow students to expand their knowledge in the field of foreign policy.

Internships at both the undergraduate and graduate level are often crucial for individuals interested in work as foreign policy advisors. Just a few of the organizations where students of international relations/foreign policy may seek internship opportunities include:

• American Enterprise Institute
• Atlantic Council
• Council on Foreign Relations
• The Brookings Institute
• Center for Global Development
• American Foreign Policy Council
• S. State Department, Office of the Coordinator of the Foreign Policy Advisor
• The National Committee on American Foreign Policy
• United States Agency for International Development

Salary Expectations for Foreign Policy Advisors

Although average salary statistics for foreign policy advisors are not readily available, recent job posts provide a considerable amount of insight into the earning potential for these professionals of international relations.

For example, a job post for a program analyst with the Department of State reveals a salary range of between $90,823 and $118,069. The program analyst coordinates and implements regional political and security policy matters in interagency discussions with foreign governments.

A job post for an executive director with the Department of State shows a salary range of between $121,956 and $183,300. The executive director advises and represents the Department of State on all international and domestic legal policy issues, in connection with U.S. foreign policy and the work of the Department.

The White House’s annual White House staff salary report for 2014 also revealed that Anthony John Blinken, who serves as assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor, earned a salary of $172,200, one of the top salaries for White House staffers.

• Education Resources
• Associate’s Degrees in International Studies
• Bachelor’s Degrees in International Relations
• Master’s Degrees in International Relations
• Graduate Certificates in International Relations
• International Relations Scholarships
• Best Master’s Programs in International Relations for 2018
• Executive Master’s in International Relations: Who Is It Right For?
• MBA in International Relations: Who It’s Right For
• Focus Areas
• African Studies
• Arab and Middle Eastern Studies
• Asian Studies
• European Studies
• Latin American and Caribbean Studies
• TESOL

• Guides and Resources for International Work and Travel
• What is International Relations?
• Career Guide
• Salary Guide
• Understanding the Scope of International Development Work
• 5 Ways to Avoid Mistakes in Cross-Cultural Communication
• The 7 Symptoms of Culture Shock – Indentifying Them and Getting Ahead of the Problem
• 9 Ways to Prepare Yourself for an International Assignment
• Tips for Avoiding the “Western Takeover” When Working as Part of a Cross-Cultural Team
• What is the G7? … Its Purpose and History of Influence
• Insider Insights
• Q&A with Dr. Alisa Eland, Associate Director in the International Student Services Office at University of Minnesota
• Q&A With Ryan Lucas, Freelance International Photojournalist
• Informal Cultural Consultants: Your Key to Success in a Cross-Cultural Environment
• Guide to Gaining the Experience Employers Expect: Internships, Assistantships, Study Abroad and More

• Career Profiles
• Cross-Cultural Training Specialist
• Foreign Affairs Analyst
• Foreign Policy Advisor
• Foreign Service Officer
• Humanitarian Aid Program Director
• Immigration Specialist
• Intelligence Analyst
• International Development Advisor
• International NGO Program Director
• International Outreach Specialist
• International Volunteer Recruiter and Coordinator
• Interpreters and Translators
• Military Analyst
• US Diplomat

• International Business Resources
• Where Business Intersects with Foreign Relations
• Careers
• Salaries
• International Business Degrees