Policy & Advocacy Fall Fellow – Resettlement, Asylum & Integration

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 Policy & Advocacy Department (P&A) is a dynamic team whose core purpose is to drive fundamental change in the humanitarian sector, and to defend and promote core humanitarian policies, protections and assistance. The team carries out, coordinates, and provides guidance on a wide variety of domestic and international advocacy initiatives, including expert briefings, public outreach and education, and communication with the media. IRC advocates represent the IRC with legislative and executive branches of the US government, the media, NGO partner agencies and coalitions, the United Nations, and international financial institutions such as the World Bank. Learn more about the IRC’s Policy and Advocacy team here: https://www.rescue.org/policy.

Job Overview: P&A’s Resettlement, Asylum, and Integration (RAI) team seeks a Fellow for the Fall to assist with all aspects of our policy and advocacy work, including policy research, monitoring of policy developments and legal research and analysis related to federal and state legislation. Topics that may come up during the term include issues related to the federal and state appropriations, national refugee resettlement program, the refugee admissions ceiling, and the protection of vulnerable populations such as asylum seekers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients and unaccompanied children. The RAI Policy & Advocacy team engages in advocacy at the federal and state levels.

Responsibilities: This short-term opportunity as a RAI P&A Fellow is a remote position with expectation of working mostly within Eastern Time hours and reporting to the RAI Senior Officer and Field Officer. Work activities may include the following:

• Assist with policy analysis and legal research on state and federal issues affecting refugee resettlement and other U.S. immigrant populations in need of protection
• Help track and analyze state and federal budget processes and legislation related to refugees, asylum seekers, and other populations of concern
• Represent the IRC Policy & Advocacy team at meetings and congressional hearings
• Assist with research on advocacy issues
• Support digital advocacy efforts on issues related to refugees, asylum seekers, and other populations of concern
• Help draft and prepare materials for distribution during meetings and briefings
• Provide direct support to U.S. field offices’ state advocacy engagement
• Provide support for annual Policy Summits and other advocacy events
• Other duties and tasks as assigned

Job Requirements

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program. Relevant studies include, but are not limited to, human rights, refugee studies, public policy, and public administration programs with relevant coursework in international human rights and refugee law or U.S. immigration law.
• Interest in and familiarity with U.S. refugee, asylum, and integration policies
• Strong writing, editing, and research skills Ability to multi-task and prioritize various tasks in a fast-paced work environment
• Ability to work efficiently in a team environment as well as under minimal direction, taking the initiative to ask questions as needed
• Experience or existing familiarity with state and/or federal appropriations processes is a plus
• Legal research and analysis skills are a plus
• Graphic design skills or experience crafting visual materials is a plus
• Commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in the humanitarian field
• Lived experience with conflict or displacement, resettlement, asylum, immigration or migration is an asset in this role

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

• Gain experience conducting research and analysis for policy and advocacy goals.
• Gain experience writing with an advocacy focus.
• Learn about administrative, budgetary, and legislative advocacy processes and opportunities at the federal and state levels.
• Have an opportunity to observe and interact with different NGO partners and IRC staff involved in policy decisions.
• Network within the NGO community.
• Understand core elements of the U.S. policymaking process and roles of various parties in crafting policy.
• Learn about process of coordinating advocacy across a large international NGO.

Key Working Relationships

Position Reports to: Senior Officer, RAI P&A; Field Advocacy Officer
Other Internal and/or external contacts:

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

External: NA

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.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires new hires to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for any in-office or hybrid positions. All IRC US offices require full vaccination to attend any in-office functions (e.g., meetings, trainings).

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity: IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $120 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.