Senior Officer, U.S. Federal Advocacy

Background: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people affected by humanitarian crises to survive, recover and rebuild their lives. We deliver lasting impact by providing health care, helping children learn, and empowering individuals and communities to become self-reliant, always with a focus on the unique needs of women and girls. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, we now work in over 40 crisis-affected countries as well as communities throughout the U.S., Europe and Latin America.

The Global Advocacy & Influence Department is a dynamic team that uses the power of IRC’s ideas to tackle 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 detailed 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 new insights and perspectives from others in the humanitarian sector and beyond.

Job Overview: As the U.S. Senior Federal Advocacy Advisor for market, you are the IRC’s leading external specialist on our global influence priorities for resettlement, humanitarian reception pathways and integration. You are responsible for crafting our influence strategies using IRC’s programmatic and research evidence, surgical policy and practice solutions, and trusted brand to encourage collective action. You are the go-to guide for understanding current federal legislative and executive branch policy trends in the U.S. market and how our policies support or clash with political agendas. You contribute your fresh and creative analysis to inform IRC’s policy objectives and co-create solutions.

Major Responsibilities:

Advocacy Strategy: Lead advocacy strategies for specific policy goals, collaborating with policy leads, policy communications and digital communications, to advance IRCs key influence priorities and increase the opportunity for IRC to advance our influence objectives around the U.S. Refugee Assistance Program, additional pathways to humanitarian reception in the U.S., and integration programming for refugees and other new Americans.

Influence Analysis: Develop power maps for key policy issues to identify influence priorities and targets. Work with team to support development and execution of creative influence strategies, including with nontraditional partners encouraging IRC to develop innovative approaches to advocacy as usual.

Advocacy: Support efforts to build IRC’s credibility, profile and relationships by engaging with policy collaborators and supporting opportunities to raise IRC’s profile at key meetings and fora.

Legislative and Policy Tracking: Expand IRC’s legislative and policy reach by tracking and analyzing shifting government positions, individuals engaging on our issues, and the politics around our issues. Translate policy asks into legislative and interagency asks. Track U.S. federal legislative processes & profile opportunities / events; this includes hearings, deadlines and processes for engaging in annual bills/policies (appropriations, Presidential Determination), and major ad hoc bills, policies and rules moving in our space. Analyze and report on relevant policy trends and regularly communicate trends to IRC’s Solutions Network to power global priorities and strategy.

Policy Engagement: Contribute to policy generation by providing U.S. Federal specific analysis to increase the credibility and efficacy of our solutions for people seeking safety through constant collaboration and in focused policy roundtable. Support IRC’s policy team in identifying and developing policy priorities that are impactful and achievable.

Communications: Provide market and audience expertise to communications team to craft policy communications specific to U.S. Federal advocacy on resettlement, humanitarian reception and integration. Support team in developing communications strategy and develop materials for advocacy targets, including digital/social content and take actions. Support planning and implementation of strategic activities including events.

Steward Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: both in the culture of IRC, as well as in the policy solutions we develop and the ways we wield influence.

Spokesperson: Act as an IRC influence spokesperson on focused advocacy areas. Act as key interlocutor with legislative and governmental staffers**.**

Board and Advisors: Support relationships with IRC’s Board and Advisors by identifying points of mutual interest and opportunity around our priority issues.

Teamwork: Support a positive team culture by acting openly and collaboratively, supporting colleagues in their work and sharing credit with others where appropriate.

Key Working Relationships:

Position reports to: U.S. Federal Advocacy Director

Internal contacts: Policy and Advocacy colleagues across the globe; Technical Excellence leads; International Programs leads; Resettlement, Asylum and Integration team, Communications; Awards Management; President’s Office, External Relations Department

External contacts: Members of Congress, key policy makers in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of State, key congressional committees/personal offices, think tanks, UN representatives in Washington DC, key sector coordinating organizations (RCUSA) and IRC coalition partners.

Job Requirements:

Education:

Degree or equivalent experience in relevant field such as Public Policy, Law or International Relations

Work experience:

Proven experience in advocacy and advocacy strategy development with a focus on creativity and critical thinking. 6-8 years of experience working on resettlement/immigration/appropriations policy.

Demonstrated skills and proficiencies:

• Examples of influence/impact on legislative and executive policy. Strong network of influencers and policy makers
• Deep understanding of relevant U.S. federal agencies and legislative offices. Familiar with leverage points within these institutions that can be targeted to achieve policy change objectives around resettlement, migration and integration
• Ability to think strategically and creatively, focused on solutions when traditional advocacy means do not suffice
• Extensive knowledge of the U.S. Refugee Assistance Program, Asylum and other complementary pathways to humanitarian reception and U.S. federal integration programming, including relevant funding mechanisms
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate successfully with experts, high level decision-makers, and colleagues in the resettlement and immigration fields
• Excellent writing skills and the ability to translate sophisticated material and data into coherent narratives that resonate with policymakers
• Proficiency with key parts of the IRC’s strategy and existing policy strategy
• Ability to work on tight timelines
• Initiative and ability to work independently on fast-paced issues, and balance competing demands

Working Environment: Hybrid office work environment. Minimum 2 days per week in office required. Up to 15% travel required.

Compensation:

Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

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 $145 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus a 3-7% base IRC contribution (3 year vesting), 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.