Vera Institute of Justice · 9 hours ago
Senior Program Associate, Advancing Universal Representation
Brooklyn, New York
Full-time
Hybrid
Mid, Senior Level
$92K/yr - $95K/yr
4+ years expVera Institute of Justice is dedicated to promoting due process in the immigration system and is seeking a Senior Program Associate for their Advancing Universal Representation initiative. The role involves supporting programmatic and policy goals, engaging in advocacy, and collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure the advancement of universal representation for immigrants facing deportation.
Non ProfitGovernmentInnovation ManagementLaw EnforcementSocial Impact
Responsibilities
Serve as the lead liaison for several jurisdictions and collaborate with our local stakeholders (government partners, legal service providers, and advocates) to support launch, sustainability, and growth of universal representation programs
Advise on best practices in program design and implementation for universal representation programs
Manage relationships with grantees and partners, including contracting and communicating about program impact and needs, participating in coalition meetings, liaising with research staff on research and data collection needs, etc
Serve as subject matter expert when needed and propose new projects
Manage project targets and milestones, and work to ensure that key targets and milestones are met
Conduct site visits to meet with local stakeholders
Work with UREP advocacy and program colleagues to support the implementation of an advocacy plan; actively participate in designing and staffing federal, state, and/or local campaigns in Vera’s SAFE Network or other priority jurisdictions, including budgetary measures, administrative policies, and legislation in support of universal representation, due process, and aligned priorities
Collaborate across Vera with the Advocacy and Partnerships, Communications, and other internal teams and with consultants to support communications and advocacy strategy and other goals (e.g., drafting fact sheets, talking points, op-eds, testimony, etc.)
Educate and advocate directly with government officials and their staff
Effectively partner with grass tops and grassroots allies
Foster connections to UREP’s federal advocacy priorities and overall strategic goals through state and local advocacy
Support our technical assistance portfolio for SAFE network members and the field, including helping plan in-person or virtual trainings, convenings, or webinars, as appropriate
Leverage professional experience and expertise and expertise from site-based work to identify best practices to inform technical assistance
Serve as a subject matter expert to team in developing resources, policy drafting and analysis, legislation, and advocacy
Support policy and advocacy efforts that advance access to counsel as a policy tool, and, where applicable, policies that reduce the pipeline between the criminal legal and immigration systems and end immigration detention
Manage the preparation of information and/or lead background research and literature reviews for reports
Write up results and integrate into public-facing products including reports, advocacy documents, or other publications
Create and advise on accessible explainers, fact sheets, briefings, and testimony that distill complex legal and policy analyses for various audiences
Provide legislative support, research, or testimony in support of existing coalitions or allied organizations
Research, develop and draft technical assistance products, model policies, fact sheets, and other educational materials
Present on Vera’s work at conferences, on webinars, and other external events
Present at internal Vera events (department meetings, 'brown bag' discussions, etc.)
Support hiring and recruitment of associates, analysts, assistants, and/or interns, as needed, and assist in their onboarding to the initiative
Supervise and/or mentor associates, analysts, assistants, and/or interns
Invest in the professional development of team members
Collaborate with internal departments (advocacy, communications, legal, finance, people, place, and culture, IT, etc.), when necessary
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree and 4 plus years of relevant experience. In lieu of degree requirement, applicable work or life experience may be considered
At least four years of legal, government, advocacy, or policy work experience
Recent experience representing immigrants in removal proceedings as an attorney or Department of Justice Accredited Representative
Strong familiarity with the immigration legal system and/or immigration policy through lived or work experience
Preferred
A JD or graduate degree in public policy or another relevant field
Subject matter expertise in the topics relevant to the project's area of focus
Experience analyzing federal and state legislative and regulatory policy, or experience with legislative drafting
Experience engaging local governments and broad coalitions to build consensus on policy reform issues
Benefits
Merit pay
Generous paid time off
A comprehensive health insurance plan
Student loan repayment benefits
Professional development training opportunities
Up to $2,000 annual for education costs and fees relevant to Vera work
Employer-funded retirement plan
Flexible time
Company
Vera Institute of Justice
Vera Institute of Justice is an independent nonprofit national research and policy organization.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
$0.25MKey Investors
Chubb
2023-03-21Grant· $0.25M
Leadership Team
Insha Rahman
Vice President, Advocacy and Partnerships
Tracey Wilmot
Vice President, Chief People Officer
Recent News
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