Associate Program Officer: Migration and Refugee Advocacy

Date Posted: 4/2/2008
Closing Date: 5/9/2008

Job Description

Works under the Director of Government Relations and the Advocacy Center Director, in the Peace, International Affairs and Migration focus area of the Advocacy Center.  In partnership with the activities of Episcopal Migration Ministries, represents the immigration and refugee public policy positions adopted by the Episcopal Church’s General Convention and Executive Council, and the ministry of the Presiding Bishop, to policy makers in Washington, including the White House, the Congress, the Episcopal institutions and networks, the ecumenical community, and public interest organizations so that the Church has a direct presence and ability to advocate its positions to those who make or are concerned about governmental policy.

Represents Church policies to government leaders, devises and executes legislative and communication strategy, proposes and monitors federal legislation, writes public policy statements and letters, determines and writes public policy alerts for grassroots network, assists in training Episcopalians nationwide in public policy advocacy, builds coalitions to support public policy advocacy. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Represents, under the management of the Director of Government Relations and the Advocacy Center Director, the public policy positions adopted by the Episcopal Church’s General Convention and Executive Council, to policy makers in Washington, including the White House, the Congress, the Episcopal institutions and networks, the ecumenical community, and public interest organizations so that the Church has a direct presence and ability to advocate its positions to those who make or are concerned about governmental policy.
• Collaborates with the Director in devising and executing legislative strategies in order to effectively communicate the Church’s position to government policy makers and impact federal policy decisions. 
• Represents the Church at meetings, press conferences, and briefings with government officials, on the boards of partner organizations, ecumenical and inter-religious partners, and public interest organizations where the positions and policies of The Episcopal Church are being expressed
• Monitors and analyzes federal legislation and other policy activities of the Congress and the Administration on which the Church has a stated policy.
• Works with the Director in originating, recommending, and proposing public policy initiatives to the Presiding Bishop, Advocacy Center Director, the General Convention, House of Bishops and Executive Council to ensure the role of the Church as an advocate for justice and peace on immigration and refugee policy and to maximize the influence of the Church’s public policy positions on U.S. governmental policy.
• Analyzes public policy issues and works with OGR Director to advise the Presiding Bishop, Advocacy Center Director, and other Church Center staff in order to assist them in carrying out their respective duties concerning the public policy efforts of the Church.  
• Writes public policy statements, letters, and press statements.
• Assists in the development of promotional activities for the Episcopal Public Policy Network, a nationwide grassroots network of Episcopalians, in order to expand growth of the Network and provide resources to equip Episcopalians for public policy advocacy.
• Helps build, organize, and mobilize nationwide grassroots network of Episcopalians to communicate the Church’s positions to their federal representatives. 
• Helps determine strategic message, content and timing of policy alerts for the Episcopal Public Policy Network.
• Builds and maintains effective relationships with Episcopal Members of Congress and congressional staff, Episcopal members of the Administration and White House, and other government policy makers who are connected to the Church.
• Responds to inquiries from and trains Episcopalians about the legislative and policy work of the Office of Government Relations, the public policy positions of the General Convention, and Executive Council, and the Church’s priority issues equipping church members for public policy leadership in adult forums, or on the parish, diocesan or national level.
• Maintains linkage with Episcopal Migration Ministries to coordinate the above stated activities which pertain to refugee admissions policy, funding, and activities.

Participates in staff meetings and collaborates with the Staff of the Advocacy Center and other Church Centers to develop and implement effective strategies to communicate the Church’s positions to the U.S. government and assist others in public policy work.

Job Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required for this position and not necessarily the skills you bring to the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE and SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree and strong experience on Capitol Hill with background in and knowledge of immigration and refugee policy
• Must be well-organized and able to manage multiple tasks.
• Excellent written, communication, and interpersonal skills required
• Ability to work in coalitions and with grassroots networks
• Knowledge of the Episcopal Church and its mission is desirable
• Computer literacy

Work Environment

Salary and Benefits

Salary is commensurate with experience and provides a generous benefits package. Episcopal Church Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks applications from members of protected groups.

How to Apply

To apply, submit a cover letter with salary requirements and a resume to eccjobs@episcopalchurch.org and indicate in the subject line “APO:  Migration and Refugee Advocacy”. Please, no telephone inquiries. Qualified applicants will be contacted.