Advocacy Fellow - Resettlement, Asylum & Integration

Job Description

Background****:

Over the past 80 years, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has developed unparalleled expertise in responding to emergencies and helping uprooted communities to rebuild. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees who have fled war or disaster. The IRC is on the ground in more than 40 countries, providing emergency relief, relocating refugees and rebuilding lives in the wake of disaster. Through 25 offices in cities across the United States, the IRC also helps refugees and other immigrants resettle in the U.S. and become self-sufficient. The IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of our work, creative partnerships and, most crucially, accountability to those we serve.

The Global Advocacy & Influence unit is a dynamic part of the ER team that uses the power of IRC’s ideas to solve the biggest challenges facing IRC’s clients. From the drivers of conflict to the needs displaced people, the team partners with politicians, policy makers and civil society to bring these solutions to life. We take pride in being solutions-oriented and creative. We are precise in our tactics, and messages. We lead change year over year, knowing that system change takes dedicated focus while maintaining the flexibility to respond to emerging needs. Finally, we are collaborative, working not only with programs, strategy, research and innovation, and communications teams across the IRC, but also externally, constantly seeking to source new ideas and perspectives from others in the humanitarian sector and beyond.

Job Overview: IRC’s state advocacy team seeks a Fellow for the Spring to assist with all aspects of our advocacy work related to our state policy (U.S.) portfolio, particularly engagement with state legislatures across the U.S. during the 2023 state legislative session Topics that may come up during the fellowship include issues related to refugee resettlement, asylum policy, the protection of unaccompanied children, and programs serving victims of human trafficking, survivors of torture, and other immigrant populations. The state advocacy team engages in advocacy at the congressional, state, and local level.

Responsibilities: This short-term opportunity as a RAI Advocacy Fellow is offered as an in-person, hybrid, or remote position with the expectation that the Fellow will work mostly within Eastern Time hours. Work activities may include the following:

· Assist with policy analysis and research on state and local measures affecting refugees, asylum seekers, and other U.S. immigrant population

· Conduct research on state budget processes and contribute to the development of a guide for advocates seeking to get involved in their state’s budget process

· Track and provide summaries of state-level legislation related to refugees, asylum seekers, and other populations of concern during the 2023 state legislative session

· Represent the IRC state advocacy team at committee meetings, congressional hearings, and other events; take detailed notes and report back to team

· Support digital advocacy efforts on issues related to refugees, asylum seekers, and other populations of concern

· Draft, edit, and format public facing content and materials including written or verbal testimony, letters of support, social media copy, talking points, briefs, and more.

· Other duties and tasks as assigned

Job Requirements

· Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program or within 6 months of matriculation or graduation. Relevant studies include, but are not limited to, human rights, refugee studies, political science, international relations, public policy, and public administration programs with relevant coursework in international human rights and refugee law or U.S. immigration law

· Strong research, writing, and editing skills

· Interest in and familiarity with U.S. refugee and asylum policy and integration policies

· Commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in the humanitarian field

· Ability to multi-task and prioritize various tasks in a fast-paced work environment

· Ability to take initiative and work productively in a team environment, including with possible remote supervision based on geographic location

· Legal research and analysis skills are a plus

· Graphic design skills or experience creating visual materials in programs such as Canva is a plus

· Candidates with lived experience with conflict or crisis-driven displacement, resettlement, asylum, immigration or migration are strongly encouraged to apply

Learning Outcomes: Over the course of the semester, the Fellow will:

· Gain experience conducting research and analysis for policy and advocacy aims, particularly the IRC’s priority policy issue areas

· Learn about core elements of state by state administrative, budgetary, and legislative advocacy processes; understand the role of state and local government in shaping outcomes for people who arrived as refugees or immigrants

· Learn how to craft state legislation and develop successful advocacy plans

· Have an opportunity to observe, interact, and network with elected officials, NGO partners, and IRC staff involved in policy decisions

· Learn how large international NGOs work to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in their sector

· Learn about process of coordinating advocacy across a large international NGO

· Improve one’s ability to manage competing requests and develop priorities in a capacity and resource-strained environment

Key Working Relationships

Position Reports to: Field Advocacy Officer Other Internal and/or external contacts:

· Internal: Colleagues across the Global Advocacy & Influence team and in RAI field offices around the U.S.

· External: N/A

Standards of Professional Conduct

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Equality, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace. We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.#LI-GR1

Qualifications