Robert B. Lawrence Email & Phone Number

Arlington, Va

• Supervise Congressional Relations team of three responsible for implementing SIGAR’s congressional relations outreach strategy to inform Members of Congress and senior Congressional staff about SIGAR’s findings, recommendations, and challenges facing the reconstruction effort in Afghanistan.o Oversee team’s responses to Congressional inquiries and requests for information. o Responsible for developing and leading execution of Directorate’s strategic plan. o As member of SIGAR’s… Show more • Supervise Congressional Relations team of three responsible for implementing SIGAR’s congressional relations outreach strategy to inform Members of Congress and senior Congressional staff about SIGAR’s findings, recommendations, and challenges facing the reconstruction effort in Afghanistan.o Oversee team’s responses to Congressional inquiries and requests for information. o Responsible for developing and leading execution of Directorate’s strategic plan. o As member of SIGAR’s senior leadership team, serve as primary advisor to the Inspector General and Deputy Inspector General on all Congressional Relations and Government Affairs matters. o Lead coordination with other agency directorates (Forward Ops/Kabul; Audits and Inspections; Investigations; Research and Analysis; Lessons Learned; and Public Affairs) to respond to congressional requests and identify matters of Congressional interest. • Serve as SIGAR’s primary liaison to the House and Senate State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittees. • Work directly with senior congressional staff on SIGAR’s committees of jurisdiction.• Prepared Inspector General to testify at 18 Congressional hearings to date, including 6 as Director. • Worked with Congressional staff to draft authorization and appropriations language ultimately enacted into law. • Serve as agency liaison to other U.S. government agencies; foreign governments; non-governmental organizations; think tanks; and academic institutions. • Primary speechwriter for IG and DIG, authoring over three dozen presentations for a wide variety of audiences. Show less

Arlington, Va

Arlington, Va

Arlington, Va

• Seconded to House Committee on Foreign Affairs by U.S. Representative David Dreier, Chairman of the House Rules Committee and House Democracy Partnership (HDP), to support HDP’s parliamentary support and legislative strengthening programs in 17 countries on five continents. • Conducted field oversight on USAID, State/DRL, and NED-funded democracy and governance programs, as well as in-country needs assessments for future and ongoing HDP programs. • Developed, organized, and managed… Show more • Seconded to House Committee on Foreign Affairs by U.S. Representative David Dreier, Chairman of the House Rules Committee and House Democracy Partnership (HDP), to support HDP’s parliamentary support and legislative strengthening programs in 17 countries on five continents. • Conducted field oversight on USAID, State/DRL, and NED-funded democracy and governance programs, as well as in-country needs assessments for future and ongoing HDP programs. • Developed, organized, and managed assistance programs for foreign Members of Parliament, both in Washington and in their respective capitals, on committee operations, legislative processes, policy research and analysis, and budgeting. • Collaborated with USAID, State Department, and Defense Department officials, as well as respective implementing partners, in countries with HDP programs to augment existing U.S. government programs. • Managed, planned, and provided policy and logistics support to Congressional delegations visiting HDP partner countries to conduct training programs. Show less

• Provided policy and strategy expertise focused on eliminating the connection between natural resource wealth, corruption, and conflict (the “resource curse”) in developing countries. • Lead staffer responsible for anti-kleptocracy legislative and regulatory initiatives; secured and led meetings with House leadership, key Congressional Committees, and Department of State, Treasury, and USAID officials. • Regularly coordinated with Global Witness’ headquarters staff in London;… Show more • Provided policy and strategy expertise focused on eliminating the connection between natural resource wealth, corruption, and conflict (the “resource curse”) in developing countries. • Lead staffer responsible for anti-kleptocracy legislative and regulatory initiatives; secured and led meetings with House leadership, key Congressional Committees, and Department of State, Treasury, and USAID officials. • Regularly coordinated with Global Witness’ headquarters staff in London; represented Global Witness at major international financial transparency conference; coordinated messaging and legislative efforts with other NGOs dedicated to reducing corruption and improving financial transparency. Show less

• Head of government relations and domestic policy for the Save Darfur Coalition (SDC), a coalition of 180 advocacy, human rights, and faith-based organizations dedicated to ending atrocities in Sudan. • Planned and executed advocacy strategies targeted at the U.S. Congress, Department of State, National Security Council, White House, and USAID focusing on bolstering peacekeeping operations, increasing foreign assistance funding, and maintaining humanitarian access and security in Darfur.… Show more • Head of government relations and domestic policy for the Save Darfur Coalition (SDC), a coalition of 180 advocacy, human rights, and faith-based organizations dedicated to ending atrocities in Sudan. • Planned and executed advocacy strategies targeted at the U.S. Congress, Department of State, National Security Council, White House, and USAID focusing on bolstering peacekeeping operations, increasing foreign assistance funding, and maintaining humanitarian access and security in Darfur. • As member of senior leadership team, worked to ensure that all SDC communications reflected realities on the ground, would not impair ongoing humanitarian operations, and promoted practical policy proposals. • Regularly briefed SDC activists on the ongoing situation in Darfur and SDC’s policy priorities. • Represented SDC in meetings with the U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan, Members of Congress, USAID officials, and served as a member of the InterAction Sudan Advocacy Working Group. • Organized and hosted a smaller, ad hoc working group that included representatives from Oxfam USA, Mercy Corps, Human Rights First, and the Genocide Intervention Network (GI-NET). • Represented SDC at public forums and in print and broadcast media. • Designed and led implementation of SDC’s activities and public response to the Sudanese presidential and parliamentary elections in 2010, including coordination of inter-disciplinary team that included representatives from SDC’s grassroots advocacy, press, fundraising, Sudanese Diaspora, and online communications units. • Supervised government relations staff and budget; responsible for compliance with Lobbying Disclosure Act. Show less

• Member of IRI senior staff, responsible for Africa division staff of over 50 personnel implementing $23 million portfolio to promote democracy, good governance, and legislative strengthening. • Oversaw program and budget implementation, including responses to RFPs and donor reports, for programs in Angola, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Somaliland, Sudan, Uganda, and Zimbabwe funded by the National Endowment for Democracy, Department of State, and USAID. Reviewed all monthly financial… Show more • Member of IRI senior staff, responsible for Africa division staff of over 50 personnel implementing $23 million portfolio to promote democracy, good governance, and legislative strengthening. • Oversaw program and budget implementation, including responses to RFPs and donor reports, for programs in Angola, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Somaliland, Sudan, Uganda, and Zimbabwe funded by the National Endowment for Democracy, Department of State, and USAID. Reviewed all monthly financial submissions from the field and improved budget tracking procedures to monitor expenditure rates. • Responsible for human resource activities for the division, including hiring, terminations, disciplinary actions, performance reviews, and instituted policy of quarterly one-on-one check-ins with both HQ and field staff. Show less

• Seconded to House International Relations Committee by U.S. Representative David Dreier, Chairman of the House Rules Committee and House Democracy Assistance Commission, to support HDAC’s parliamentary support and legislative strengthening programs in 12 countries on five continents. • Conducted field oversight on USAID, State/DRL, and NED-funded democracy and governance programs, as well as in-country parliamentary needs assessments for future and ongoing HDAC programs.… Show more • Seconded to House International Relations Committee by U.S. Representative David Dreier, Chairman of the House Rules Committee and House Democracy Assistance Commission, to support HDAC’s parliamentary support and legislative strengthening programs in 12 countries on five continents. • Conducted field oversight on USAID, State/DRL, and NED-funded democracy and governance programs, as well as in-country parliamentary needs assessments for future and ongoing HDAC programs. • Developed, organized, and managed assistance programs for foreign Members of Parliament, both in Washington and in their respective capitals, on committee operations, legislative processes, policy research and analysis, and budgeting. • Collaborated with USAID, State Department, and Defense Department officials, and respective implementing partners, in countries with HDAC programs to augment existing U.S. government programs. • Managed, planned, and provided policy and logistics support to Congressional delegations visiting HDAC partner countries to conduct training programs. Show less

• Responsible for foreign policy matters for senior member of House leadership and Chairman of House Rules Committee, including policy preparation for foreign dignitary visits and official travel. • Oversaw passage of House resolution (H. Res. 135) creating the House Democracy Assistance Commission (HDAC) and was assigned by the Chairman to lead week-long parliamentary needs assessments in twelve countries. • Authored keynote addresses for the Chairman presented at the United Nations… Show more • Responsible for foreign policy matters for senior member of House leadership and Chairman of House Rules Committee, including policy preparation for foreign dignitary visits and official travel. • Oversaw passage of House resolution (H. Res. 135) creating the House Democracy Assistance Commission (HDAC) and was assigned by the Chairman to lead week-long parliamentary needs assessments in twelve countries. • Authored keynote addresses for the Chairman presented at the United Nations General Assembly, USAID Democracy and Governance annual conference, and the American University in Cairo. • Drafted H.R. 1361, the International Security Enhancement Act of 2005, to improve interagency coordination of reconstruction and stabilization missions; led successful effort to secure passage of related amendment to State Department Authorization Act. • Drafted H.R. 4053, the United States International Leadership Act, to improve U.S. multilateral diplomacy efforts and led successful effort to secure enactment into law. Show less

• Provided expertise on House rules and procedure to House Committees on Appropriations, Armed Services, International Relations, Intelligence, Veterans Affairs, and the Subcommittee on Trade, and shepherded legislation from the start of the Rules committee process through consideration on the House floor. • Summarized policy implications of amendments submitted for Rules committee consideration to legislation such as the National Defense Authorization Act, State Department Authorization… Show more • Provided expertise on House rules and procedure to House Committees on Appropriations, Armed Services, International Relations, Intelligence, Veterans Affairs, and the Subcommittee on Trade, and shepherded legislation from the start of the Rules committee process through consideration on the House floor. • Summarized policy implications of amendments submitted for Rules committee consideration to legislation such as the National Defense Authorization Act, State Department Authorization Act, Intelligence Authorization Act, and Defense and Foreign Operations Appropriations Acts. • Worked with House leadership (Speaker’s office, Majority Leader, Majority Whip) to bring major national security and foreign policy legislation to the floor. Shepherded National Defense Authorization Acts, State Department Authorization Acts, the Millennium Challenge Corporation Act, and the Global AIDS Act to the House floor for passage. Show less

• Supported senior member of House leadership and Chairman of the House Rules committee on all matters relating to foreign policy and defense, including producing talking points, statements, amendment recommendations, and legislative research. • Briefed Chairman ahead of meetings with foreign dignitaries and prepared background material ahead of foreign travel. • Met with foreign policy and national security advocacy groups, and defense firms based in the district.

M.A., Walsh School Of Foreign Service, Security Studies

B.A., Elliott School Of International Affairs, International Affairs, Cum Laude