The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights seeks Policy Analyst

The Young Center

ABOUT THE YOUNG CENTER:
The Young Center is dedicated to promoting the best interests—safety and well-being—of unaccompanied and separated immigrant children in the United States. The immediate focus of the Young Center’s work is to serve as Child Advocate (guardian ad litem for children in immigration proceedings) for unaccompanied and separated children pursuant to the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act and the 2013 Violence Against Women Act. Our role is to identify and advocate for the best interests of children in federal custody, applying federal and state law and long-recognized principles of the best interests of the child.

Policy Analyst

Washington, D.C.

The Policy Analyst plays a key role protecting the rights of immigrant children through advocacy with Congressional offices and committees, federal agencies and stakeholders in the field of children’s and immigrants’ rights. The Policy Analyst will track legislation impacting migrant children; research and develop issue briefs and talking points on legislation and agency policies and practices; and engage in outreach with allies at the intersection of immigration, child welfare, juvenile justice, and child health and development. The Policy Analyst will represent the Young Center before legislative and executive branch agencies at the federal level and handle press, media and speaking opportunities as appropriate.

Employment Term and Type

Regular, Full Time

Salary and Benefits

$67,000

For this role, salaries will start at $67,000 annually. The position includes excellent health insurance coverage and coverage for any dependents at no cost to the employee, a 401k plan with employer match, paid vacation time, and paid sick time, among other benefits.

Required Education

Master’s Degree

Required Experience

2+ years

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Reporting to the Senior Policy Analyst for Child Protection, the Policy Analyst will develop and implement the organization’s policy agenda at the federal level. This will require participation in and attendance at regular meetings in the Washington, DC area; thus, the Policy Analyst must live in or be willing to relocate to the metro-DC area. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Develop and maintain relationships with legislative offices through regular calls, email communication, and in-person meetings.
• Develop and maintain relationships with agency officials through regular communication and meetings.
• Monitor relevant activity on Capitol Hill and in the executive branch and identify opportunities for advocacy.
• Analyze implications of proposed legislation, executive orders, and policy directives.
• Draft fact sheets, short advocacy statements, and other memoranda for legislative offices and agency officials.
• Draft talking points for Hill briefings and similar events.
• Research and draft reports on key policy issues for distribution to Young Center supporters, allies and stakeholders.
• Gather, evaluate and analyze data from Young Center cases to identify or substantiate problematic policies and propose solutions.
• Develop collaborative relationships with policy staff at allied organizations to advance the Young Center’s policy goals.
• Represent the Young Center by participating in coalitions, meetings, and events related to the Young Center’s policy and advocacy priorities.
• Work with the Young Center’s communication staff to develop web content, social media content, action alerts, and op-ed pieces.
• Other duties as assigned.MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
• J.D., MPP/MPA, MSW or graduate degree in comparable field
• Previous experience in policy advocacy, such as federal legislative or administrative advocacy, legislative drafting, policy development, communicating with the media.
• Critical thinking and organizational skills
• Strong writing and editing skills
• Strong oral advocacy skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Office
• Collaborative approach to work
• Tech savvy

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Creative thinking and problem-solving skills
• Passion, tenacity and optimism for the issues affecting immigrant children and their families

Find out more

Get the newsletter

THE PROGRESSIVE VOICE FOR JUSTICE REFORM