Policy CounselAnalyst, 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 NIJCs team of 160 attorneys paralegals and professionals along with 2000 pro bono attorneys is at the forefront of immigration reform.

Job Summary:

The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) seeks a Policy Counsel or Policy Analyst to join its growing policy-advocacy team. NIJC develops policy priorities rooted in our direct legal services and litigation to advance immigrant rights. Priority areas include protecting due process and welcoming policies: ending immigration detention; combatting harsh immigration enforcement and the criminalization of migrants. This counsel or analyst will contribute to NIJCs advocacy products by drafting and editing policy documents legislative text analysis of regulations commentaries and public-facing explainers with a heavy focus on developing client stories and client advocates.

This position is a hybrid position based in NIJCs Chicago Office. This counsel or analyst will be directly supervised by the Associate Director of Government Relations and work closely with other policy team members in Washington DC and Chicago IL as well as NIJC staff across the organization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as one of NIJCs key representatives in Chicago IL and Washington D.C. advocating to advance policies that support immigrants refugees and asylum seekers.
• Maintain relationships with elected officials with a primary focus on Chicago Cook County Illinois officials and staffers.
• Assist Associate Director of Government Relations in representing NIJC in formal and informal coalitions of national and local organizations.
• Work with NIJC staff to identify and track client stories and clients interested in speaking to lawmakers to support policy priorities and ongoing policy advocacy initiatives.
• Review and analyze pending state and local legislation and amendments.
• Prepare analysis and talking points for key policy makers and other advocates.
• Review draft and/or contribute to legislative language regulatory comments and related advocacy materials.

Competencies:

• Government Relations and Public Policy Advocacy - Builds and maintains productive relationships with elected officials government agencies and policy stakeholders to advance organizational priorities. Effectively represents the organization in legislative and regulatory discussions while advocating for policies that support immigrants refugees and asylum seekers.
• Stakeholder Relationship Management - Develops and sustains collaborative partnerships with government officials community leaders and internal stakeholders to advance shared goals and strengthen organizational influence.
• Coalition Building and Strategic Collaboration - Works collaboratively with state and local partners to coordinate advocacy efforts build consensus and advance policy initiatives that align with organizational goals.
• Community Engagement and Storytelling - Identifies cultivates and supports individuals willing to share their experiences to inform policymakers and strengthen advocacy efforts.
• Political Acumen - Demonstrates an understanding of political processes legislative environments and stakeholder interests to effectively advance organizational objectives.
• Research and Information Management - Collects organizes and synthesizes policy legislative and stakeholder information to support timely decision-making and advocacy strategies
• Strategic Influence - Uses expertise relationships and persuasive communication to gain support for policy objectives and organizational priorities.
• Mission Driven Advocacy - Demonstrates commitment to advancing equitable outcomes for immigrants refugees and asylum seekers through evidence-based advocacy collaboration and stakeholder engagement.

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 .

• Education and/or Experience: Bachelors degree with a minimum of two to three years of relevant professional experience. An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered. J.D. or Masters in Public Policy preferred but not .
• 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:

1. Your resume
2. A brief cover letter that highlights your interest in this role why the work resonates with you and any experience that connects to NIJCs mission and the responsibilities of the position.
3. 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 job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.
• The person in this position occasionally needs to move 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 because of age color sex disability national origin race religion or veteran compliance with federal law all persons hired will be to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

For any technical issues please contact

Required Experience:

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