INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE

Director, State Advocacy

INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Remote

Location: New York • Texas • United States

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Salary

💰 $120,000 - $153,000 per year

Job Level

Lead

About the role

  • Develop and oversee implementation of a multi-year advocacy strategy, in close collaboration with global policy leads, policy communications and digital communications, to advance IRC’s key influence priorities and maximize the opportunity for IRC to advance our influence objectives.
  • Build and manage IRC’s credibility, profile and relationships with key US stakeholders in support of advocacy strategies on IRC’s priority issues. Spot and deliver on external opportunities to advance IRC’s profile, policy and influence objectives; advise on IRC positioning and prioritization vis a vis the US Government and Congress. Direct executive branch and legislative initiatives and represent the IRC at key meetings and fora. Partner and coordinate with the RAI US network on legislator engagement to drive or prevent policy.
  • Lead the strategy for influence and development of power maps for key policy issues to identify influence priorities and targets, and to develop and execute creative influence strategies, including with nontraditional partners. Continuously ideate and identify new approaches and partners that go beyond advocacy as usual.
  • Oversee the expansion of IRC’s legislative reach by tracking, understanding and anticipating: policy trends and shifting government positions; individuals and organizations engaging on our issues; and the politics around our issues. Build strategic influence plans around legislative processes & profile opportunities / events; this includes hearings, deadlines and processes for engaging in annual bills, and major ad hoc bills moving in our space. Actively pivot and execute on influence strategy based on emerging opportunities.
  • Contribute to policy generation and prioritization by providing US specific insights that increase the credibility and efficacy of our solutions through constant collaboration with Policy and Solutions colleagues. Support IRC’s policy team in identifying and developing policy priorities that are impactful and achievable. Draft policy, amendments, and research state regulations to inform recommendations and enhance program implementations.
  • In close collaboration with the global communications team, identify shared external relations priorities and opportunities. Provide market and audience expertise to communications team to shape communications specific to the US and develop materials for advocacy targets, including digital/social content and take actions. Act as sign off point on US facing external content when relevant. Identify and leverage opportunities to raise influence and profile in the US through strategic events and other activities.
  • Identify and implement opportunities to leverage IRC's CEO and other senior leaders to amplify IRC's thought leadership on our issue areas through meetings with senior officials, politicians and other NGOs. Provide briefing materials and provide in-person staffing for meetings as appropriate.
  • Use network to conduct rapid analysis to test political and policy environment on new and emergent issues.
  • Develop an understanding of IRC’s Board and Advisors, especially their areas of expertise and influence connections in order to engage them on substantive issues and leverage their networks to deliver on advocacy objectives.
  • Act as an IRC influence spokesperson in the US, communicating with journalists, policymakers, thought leaders and the public to showcase work of IRC's policy solutions and amplify our influence messages strategies.
  • 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.
  • Develop and model new ways of working, manage high performing team and positively contribute to IRC leadership team and IRC culture. Create an inclusive environment by establishing a culture of care and encouraging different ideas. Share time and credit with direct reports, showing appreciation and increasing visibility by giving them access to more senior staff and highlighting their accomplishments.

Requirements

  • Graduate degree or equivalent experience in public policy, law, or related field
  • 8-10 years working in politics or policy at the state and/or congressional level
  • Experience developing and implementing successful advocacy and influencing strategies, using campaigning and/or coalition advocacy techniques
  • Experience in developing the capacities of others (internal & external) in advocacy, including developing resources and conducting formal trainings and on-the-job capacity-building with colleagues with diverse backgrounds and varying levels of experience with policy advocacy
  • Experience in using strategic communications including digital channels for advocacy would be an asset
  • Experience working in coalition to build support amongst various stakeholders
Benefits
  • 10 sick days
  • 10 US holidays
  • 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure
  • medical insurance starting at $163 per month
  • dental starting at $6.50 per month
  • vision starting at $5 per month
  • FSA for healthcare and commuter costs
  • a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching
  • disability & life insurance
  • 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

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard skills
advocacy strategy developmentpolicy analysislegislative initiativespolicy draftingstakeholder engagementinfluence strategy executioncapacity buildingstrategic communicationscampaigning techniquescoalition advocacy
Soft skills
leadershipcollaborationcommunicationrelationship managementstrategic thinkingcreativityproblem-solvingteam managementcultural sensitivityinclusivity
Certifications
graduate degree in public policygraduate degree in lawrelated field experience