Background
The Women’s Refugee Commission (WRC) works to improve the lives and defend the rights of women, children, and young people displaced by conflict and crisis. As a research and advocacy organization, WRC is dedicated to securing systemic changes in policy and practice that ensure uprooted women, children, and young people can fully exercise their rights to protection, services, and self-sufficiency.

The Migrant Rights and Justice (MRJ) program at WRC is based in our DC office and is one of WRC’s largest and longest-running programs. Our work is grounded in our longstanding monitoring of US policy and practice, in collaboration with partners and organizations across the US. The program advocates for thoughtful, forward-thinking, and rights-respecting policy solutions which focuses on access to protection for women, children, and families seeking safety in the US. WRC hosts the national #WelcomeWithDignity campaign for asylum rights, with the campaign manager part of the MRJ team.

Read more about the groundbreaking work of WRC’s MRJ program here.

Scope of Work
The director of the Migrant Rights and Justice program will lead a team of colleagues to engage in monitoring, research, coalition and partnership engagement, and US government advocacy to strengthen US reception of and protection of displaced women, families, and children. The director, MRJ is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the program, tracking outcomes, and maintaining a wide breadth of subject matter expertise and advocacy and media engagement. The director, MRJ is also responsible for fundraising and external development efforts for the program, and for internal contributions to WRC’s Operating Team.

Key Responsibilities
Strategy and Thought Leadership

• Develop a strategic vision for the MRJ program, including the development of multi-year goals, strategies, and work plans that align with the strategic goals and priorities that are set forth by WRC, ensuring compliance with all grant objectives, timelines, and budgets.
• In coordination with the senior director of external communications and the vice president of advocacy and external relations, lead the development and implementation of a media and advocacy strategy to support the goals and objectives of the MRJ program.
• Serve as the WRC's lead spokesperson and advocate on MRJ issues.
• Represent the WRC at high-level meetings, conferences, and briefings on MRJ issues in multiple locales.
• Contribute to the development and execution of activities of coalitions and partners that WRC leads and/or engages with, including the #WelcomeWithDignity campaign.
• While subject areas may change, engage in particular on WRC’s advocacy related to reception of people seeking asylum in the interior of the United States, including case management and related practices.

Research & Advocacy

• Conduct and oversee, together with the MRJ team, field and desk research on asylum and related protection policies and practices.
• Direct and manage MRJ published outputs, including reports, fact sheets, backgrounders, and other materials on US policies and practices and their impacts on the lives and protection of people seeking asylum.
• Advocate with the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the Department of Homeland Security for rights-based legislation in line with US international human rights obligations. Develop relationships within the administration, Congress, federal agencies, and non-governmental organizations. Draft legislation. Testify at Congressional hearings and conduct Congressional briefings.

Fundraising & Finance

• Together with WRC’s Individual Giving and Institutional Giving teams, develop and implement fundraising strategy for MRJ work, including the #WelcomeWithDignity campaign. Cultivate strong relationships with current and potential donors; develop proposals; negotiate agreements with partners; and prepare and submit donor reports. Work closely with the Development Team in their fundraising efforts to support MRJ’s program work and the #WelcomeWithDignity campaign.
• Oversee spending, monitor budgets, and ensure timely reporting to all program donors.

Management & Internal Responsibilities

• Manage the MRJ staff, including the DC-based program assistant, who supports the DC office overall.
• Serve on WRC’s Operating Team, contributing to the organization’s overall strategic direction and work plan.

What We’re Looking For

• Extensive advocacy experience at legislative and administrative government levels, with a strong understanding of US Congressional and federal administrative policies, including the legislative process and administrative (including regulatory) policy development. Proven track record in implementing and achieving advocacy goals.
• In-depth understanding of international and US human rights, refugee, and immigration law and related foreign policy. Recognized in immigration or asylum/refugee community as a subject matter leader and expert with extensive knowledge of the functioning of key agencies, including DHS, ICE, CBP, DOJ EOIR, HHS/ORR, State Department (incl. PRM), and the White House (DPC/NSC).
• Significant professional experience in MRJ issue areas and a master's degree or JD.
• Ability to think strategically to develop and execute a strategic vision in a research and advocacy setting.
• Experience with print, television, and other forms of media engagement.
• Strong management skills. Demonstrated experience leading diverse teams.
• Ability to build and nurture a positive working environment, even in times of rapid response analysis and advocacy.
• Fundraising skills, including proposal development and donor cultivation.
• Experience with budget management.
• Strong analytical, writing, and communications skills in a wide variety of settings and to a wide range of audiences. Demonstrated public speaking skills with the ability to engage in rapid response communications work.
• Research and human rights monitoring experience, including demonstrated experience interviewing directly impacted individuals, including women and families.
• Ability to thrive in a high-pressure environment and balance and prioritize multiple responsibilities within WRC and externally.
• Additional languages strongly preferred, Spanish proficiency a plus.

 

Reports to: Vice President for Advocacy and External Relations

 

Position: Regular, full-time

 

Salary Band: Salary Band 3 - $123,165 - $185,220* (commensurate with experience)

 

Work Schedule: Hybrid – 2 days in the office, 3 days remote

 

Location: Washington, DC

 

Closing Date: April 1, 2024

* The salary range as depicted represents the low and top-tier values for the given salary band. It is important to note that while what is depicted represents the total range of the band depicted, this role is budgeted with a salary that begins closer to the starting salary for this band. The actual salary of someone hired into the position will be based on numerous factors that will include but may not be limited to professional and academic experience, training, and other business and organizational needs. Individual salary decisions remain dependent on the circumstances of each individual hire and may be adjusted to meet the demands of the role.

The Women’s Refugee Commission (WRC) is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and we are an equal opportunity employer. We believe social change happens when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with a common purpose.
It is our policy to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital status, veteran status or disability. All qualified people, including those with lived experience relating to a particular role, are encouraged to apply. The Women’s Refugee Commission is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.