RAI Advocacy Fellow

Position description

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Background

U.S. Advocacy & Influence (A&I) within the Global Policy and Advocacy Department 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, state, and local governments, the media, NGO partner agencies and coalitions.. Learn more about the IRC’s U.S. Advocacy work here: https://www.rescue.org/states-lay-foundation.

Job Overview: A&I’s Resettlement, Asylum, and Integration (RAI) team seeks a Fellow for a short term assignment to assist with a particular aspect of our policy and advocacy work involving policy research and budget analysis, 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 and ORR funding streams and more. The RAI Policy & Advocacy team engages in advocacy at the federal, state, and local levels.

Responsibilities: This short-term opportunity as a RAI A&I Fellow is a remote position with expectation of working within Eastern Time hours and reporting to the RAI Director of U.S. Advocacy. Work activities may include the following:
 

• Assist with budget analysis and legal research on local, state, and federal funding which impacts refugee resettlement and other U.S. immigrant populations in need of protection
• Assist with budget analysis and legal research on local, state, and federal funding which impacts integration and other support programs accessed by refugees and other humanitarian immigrants.
• Help track and analyze state and federal budget processes and legislation related to social safety net programs.
• Help draft and prepare materials for distribution during meetings and briefings
• Provide direct support to U.S. network offices’ state & local advocacy engagement
• Other duties and tasks as assigned
  

Job Requirements
 

• Currently enrolled or recently completed graduate program. Currently enrolled or recently completed JD program. Relevant studies include, but are not limited to, public policy and public administration programs with relevant coursework in policymaking, budgetary processes, and federalism.
• Interest in and familiarity with U.S. refugee, asylum, and integration policies
• Strong research, analytical, and reporting skills.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize various tasks in a fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to work productively in a team environment as well as under minimal supervision, taking the initiative to ask questions as needed.
• Experience or existing familiarity with local, state and federal appropriations processes is a plus.
• Legal research and analysis skills are a plus
• Lived experience with conflict or crisis-driven displacement, resettlement, asylum, immigration or migration is an asset in this role
  

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

• Gain unique experience conducting research and analysis for policy and advocacy aims.
• Gain experience researching and analyzing with an advocacy focus.
• Learn about administrative, budgetary, and legislative advocacy processes and opportunities at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Network within the IRC to coordinate with programmatic partners.
• Understand core elements of the U.S. policymaking process and track federal pass through funding within state budgets.
• Learn about process of coordinating advocacy across a large international NGO.
  

Key Working Relationships

Position Reports to: Director, US Advocacy

Other Internal And/or External Contacts
 

• Internal: Colleagues across Global Policy & Advocacy team and in RAI Programs
• External: NA
  

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.

Application instructions

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