National Immigrant Justice Center Assoc Dir for Government Relations

2 months ago

Chicago, United States National Immigrant Justice Center Full time

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, D.C., Indiana, and San Diego, California, NIJC's 150-person team, amplified by more than 2,000 pro bono attorneys, plays a leading role in the movement for immigration reform.


About the Position

NIJC's Associate Director for Government Relations is responsible for developing relations with policymakers and coalition partners in Illinois, in Chicago, and across the Midwest. This position plays a leadership role with allied organizations and elected officials to develop, implement, and execute policy priorities and messaging on state and local policy issues, with a particular focus on ensuring access to legal services for immigrants, both recent arrivals to the region and those with deep-rooted ties to the community. The Associate Director is responsible for advancing NIJC's strategic advocacy efforts at the state, local, and regional levels while staying abreast of NIJC's federal policy initiatives.


NIJC's state and local policy priorities focus on ensuring meaningful access to legal services, protecting meaningful access to asylum, advocating against immigration detention and the weaponization of local law enforcement for immigration enforcement purposes, and exposing the real-life harms caused by deportation. This role will require close collaboration with NIJC's legal services, federal litigation, development, and communications teams. The goal is to ensure that NIJC's clients' voices and experiences are reflected and centered in our policy work. The Associate Director for Government Relations will be instrumental in developing and maintaining strong relationships with state and local elected officials and policy makers, while collaborating with local partners to cement Chicago and Illinois as leaders in immigrant-friendly policies. The Associate Director will also work in a regional capacity on challenges to anti-immigrant enforcement practices and the expansion of immigration detention throughout the Midwest.


Specific accountabilities and work volume will be established through the development of annual Success Objectives, within the framework outlined below. The position reports to NIJC's Director of Policy.


Essential Duties and Responsibilities:


Geographic Scope

  • Lead NIJC's advocacy efforts with elected officials in the Illinois state government, Cook County, and the City of Chicago, with a particular focus on maintaining and expanding legal access programs for immigrants.
  • Coordinate with immigrant service providers, grassroots organizers, and related stakeholders in surrounding states to identify and pursue advocacy issues in the region, with particular focus on Indiana.
  • Support, as appropriate, NIJC's federal policy efforts with members of the Midwest delegations.

Substantive Duties

  • Serve as NIJC's expert with state and local and elected officials and policymakers, ensuring that legal services for immigrants are a policy priority.
  • Develop and implement strategic approaches to advancing advocacy goals in coordination with teams across NIJC. Approaches may include formal lobbying activities at the state level and participation in Chicago based task forces and community settings.
  • Lead and participate in both formal and informal coalitions of legal services and advocacy organizations to advocate for policy reform and investment in immigration legal services, particularly at the state, local and regional level.
  • Analyze legislation and make vote recommendations at both the state and local levels, with input from NIJC's litigation and legal services teams, prepare talking points on legislation as appropriate, and work with staff to identify client stories to support policy positions.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with state legislators, county board members, city council members, members of the Illinois federal delegation, and other stakeholders.
  • Where necessary and in coordination with NIJC's Development team, write and edit grant reports and project proposals, advocate for funding for NIJC's initiatives, and contribute to cultivating and maintaining individual and organizational donors.
  • Participate in media interviews to promote NIJC's local and state advocacy goals, with support from NIJC's communications team
  • React to feedback productively and perform other job-related duties as assigned, including providing backup support to NIJC's other programs and their clients.

Qualifications:

To succeed in this role, the ideal candidate must be capable of fulfilling each essential responsibility. The following requirements reflect the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities. Reasonable accommodations can be made to assist individuals with disabilities in performing essential functions. The ideal candidate:


  • Is a mature professional who can work independently and effectively respond to tight deadlines and new opportunities.
  • Is an effective public speaker who can represent NIJC confidently and clearly convey the organization's policy objectives.
  • Is proactive in identifying and anticipating emerging opportunities or challenges.
  • Pays close attention to detail, prioritizes tasks effectively, possesses strong organizational skills, maintains confidentiality, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is adaptable to change.

Required Experience:


Education and/or Experience:

  • A minimum of six years of relevant professional experience is required. An advanced degree, whether in law or another field, is preferred.
  • Language Skills: Exceptional oral and written communication skills are necessary. Demonstrated public speaking ability and outstanding interpersonal skills are essential. Proficiency in Spanish is a plus.
  • Other Skills: Experience collaborating with elected officials and/or working with legislative and administrative agencies is required. Formal lobbying experience is preferred. Familiarity with immigrant or refugee issues, as well as experience managing public budgets and congressional appropriations, is an advantage. The ability to lead teams and mentor staff and others is also essential.

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

  • This position will be based in Chicago, Illinois but occasional travel may be expected.

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

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