Public Policy Innovator

WASHINGTON, D.C. AREA
Supervisor: Interim Public Policy Director and Forced Marriage Initiative Project Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Public Policy team seeks to amplify the experiences of survivors and to pursue systemic change with nonpartisan federal, state, and local policy advocacy, strategic thought leadership, and impact litigation that supports survivors. Public policy advocacy is an integral and fast-growing element of Tahirih’s mission and national leadership, as it works to pass legislation, develop regulations, and transform policies that results in systemic change which will ensure long-term protection from gender-based violence. All advocacy initiatives are inspired and informed by the real-life needs of clients, and through extensive consultation with other service-providers and advocates around the country.

Tahirih is seeking a passionate, engaged, and energetic individual to enable the organization to expand its public policy capacity. The Public Policy Innovator will support advocacy efforts by Tahirih’s dynamic and innovative policy staff, including the 6th Ground Campaign to add gender as a protected ground of asylum, the organization’s federal and state-based forced marriage advocacy, as well as other initiatives.

Duties will include (but not be limited to):

• Coordinating stakeholder testimony in support of the Maryland campaign to end child marriage (2022 legislative session).
• Assisting in the coordination and facilitation of high-level stakeholder consultations and strategy meetings on policy issues.
• Gathering survivor testimony and supporting survivors of gender-based violence to guide and participate directly in advocacy efforts.
• Legal research and memo writing on laws and policies to inform legislative and regulatory approaches to policy advocacy.
• Drafting advocacy packets, letters, memos, reports, and other outward facing publications in support of campaigns.
• Planning and execution of outreach and education events.
• Support with coalition building and management.

DESIRED SKILLS

The Innovator must be a self-starter who is capable of managing multiple urgent priorities simultaneously across Tahirih’s policy work, including with regard to ending forced and child marriage in the U.S. and ensuring that immigrant survivors of all forms of abuse have access to critical legal protections and social services.

Required skills and competencies include:

• An interest or background in immigration policy, anti-violence work, social and racial justice movements.
• Experience in community organizing, engaging volunteers and/or supporting survivors of gender-based violence.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including a desire to learn, sense of humor, and creativity.
• Record of cultural competence and cross-cultural communication skills; experience working effectively with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Commitment to learning and promoting the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills.
• Strong computer skills, particularly Microsoft Office Suite and web-based research.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to support moving projects from concept to completion.
• Event planning experience.
• Responsible, self-initiating, and focused, with proven ability to work independently and also collaboratively in a team-based decision-making environment.
• Strong customer service orientation: patience, listening, and resourcefulness.
• Fluency in Spanish is preferred but not required; proficiency in another foreign language is a plus.

Public Policy Innovator

WASHINGTON, D.C. AREA
Supervisor: Interim Public Policy Director and Forced Marriage Initiative Project Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Public Policy team seeks to amplify the experiences of survivors and to pursue systemic change with nonpartisan federal, state, and local policy advocacy, strategic thought leadership, and impact litigation that supports survivors. Public policy advocacy is an integral and fast-growing element of Tahirih’s mission and national leadership, as it works to pass legislation, develop regulations, and transform policies that results in systemic change which will ensure long-term protection from gender-based violence. All advocacy initiatives are inspired and informed by the real-life needs of clients, and through extensive consultation with other service-providers and advocates around the country.

Tahirih is seeking a passionate, engaged, and energetic individual to enable the organization to expand its public policy capacity. The Public Policy Innovator will support advocacy efforts by Tahirih’s dynamic and innovative policy staff, including the 6th Ground Campaign to add gender as a protected ground of asylum, the organization’s federal and state-based forced marriage advocacy, as well as other initiatives.

Duties will include (but not be limited to):

• Coordinating stakeholder testimony in support of the Maryland campaign to end child marriage (2022 legislative session).
• Assisting in the coordination and facilitation of high-level stakeholder consultations and strategy meetings on policy issues.
• Gathering survivor testimony and supporting survivors of gender-based violence to guide and participate directly in advocacy efforts.
• Legal research and memo writing on laws and policies to inform legislative and regulatory approaches to policy advocacy.
• Drafting advocacy packets, letters, memos, reports, and other outward facing publications in support of campaigns.
• Planning and execution of outreach and education events.
• Support with coalition building and management.

DESIRED SKILLS

The Innovator must be a self-starter who is capable of managing multiple urgent priorities simultaneously across Tahirih’s policy work, including with regard to ending forced and child marriage in the U.S. and ensuring that immigrant survivors of all forms of abuse have access to critical legal protections and social services.

Required skills and competencies include:

• An interest or background in immigration policy, anti-violence work, social and racial justice movements.
• Experience in community organizing, engaging volunteers and/or supporting survivors of gender-based violence.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including a desire to learn, sense of humor, and creativity.
• Record of cultural competence and cross-cultural communication skills; experience working effectively with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Commitment to learning and promoting the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills.
• Strong computer skills, particularly Microsoft Office Suite and web-based research.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to support moving projects from concept to completion.
• Event planning experience.
• Responsible, self-initiating, and focused, with proven ability to work independently and also collaboratively in a team-based decision-making environment.
• Strong customer service orientation: patience, listening, and resourcefulness.
• Fluency in Spanish is preferred but not required; proficiency in another foreign language is a plus.