Senior Policy Counsel/Analyst, NIJC

About NIJC

The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) advances human rights and due process for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers through direct legal services, impact litigation, advocacy and public education. Headquartered in Chicago with offices in Washington, DC, Indiana and San Diego, NIJC's team of 100 attorneys, paralegals and professionals, along with 2,000 pro bono attorneys, is at the forefront of immigration reform.

Job Description

The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) seeks a Senior Policy Counsel or Policy Analyst to join its growing Washington, D.C. policy-advocacy team. NIJC develops policy priorities rooted in our direct legal services and litigation to advance immigrant rights. Priority areas include ending immigration detention; combatting harsh immigration enforcement and the criminalization of migrants; and defending the right to asylum. This counsel or analyst will contribute to NIJC's advocacy products by drafting and editing policy documents, legislative text, analysis of regulations, commentaries, and public-facing explainers.

This position is a remote-based position with preference for candidates based in Washington, D.C. who can travel to Capitol Hill. This counsel or analyst will be directly supervised by the Associate Director of Policy and work closely with other policy team members in Washington, DC and Chicago, as well as NIJC staff across the organization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as one of NIJC's key representatives in Washington D.C. advocating to advance policies that support immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.
• Maintain relationships with congressional staffers, develop new congressional champions, and promote a robust oversight agenda in Congress on NIJC's policy priorities.
• Support and present at congressional briefings, press calls, for educational webinars.
• Represent NIJC in formal and informal coalitions of national and local organizations.
• Work with NIJC staff to identify client stories to support policy priorities and ongoing policy advocacy initiatives.
• Review and analyze pending legislation and amendments; prepare analysis and suggested modifications; prepare talking points for key policy makers and other advocates.
• Draft and revise regulatory comments, reports, policy briefs, backgrounders, and blog posts to educate policymakers, the media, and the public.
• Develop innovative advocacy plans that lean on NIJC's unique expertise as both a legal service provider and impact advocacy organization with access to key policy makers in Washington D.C.

Qualifications:

To perform this role successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.

• Education and/or Experience: J.D. or Master's in Public Policy preferred, with a minimum of three to six years of relevant professional experience.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills. Strong competency in public speaking and exceptional interpersonal skills across a broad range of audiences, including people directly impacted by the U.S. immigration system.
• Ability to work independently, respond to tight deadlines, and emerging opportunities.
• Other Skills: Experience working on immigrant or refugee issues particularly through policy advocacy and/or direct legal representation preferred.
• Computer Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft 365, and a willingness to learn new software.

How to Apply

Please Include:

• Your resume
• A compelling cover letter, including the following:
• Why you are interested in this specific role and in working for NIJC
• How your unique skills and experience will enable you to make a significant impact on our team and help us achieve our mission.
• A specific, brief example of a project or accomplishment from your past that best demonstrates your relevant qualifications.

Physical Abilities Statement:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for 50% of the time.
• This position occasionally requires moving about the inside of the office to access filing cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine.

It is the policy of NIJC not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee based on age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status.