Vice President for Advocacy and Public Policy

If you are passionate about transforming communities with a mission-driven organization, then we have the opportunity for you!

For 80 years, the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) has offered welcome and hope to more than half a million refugees. Since 1939, LIRS has transformed lives, with the support and hard work of people like you, to welcome the most vulnerable to the United States - from sea to shining sea.

LIRS is a national organization with a budget of over $88 million per year, and over 100 staff nationwide. Widely recognized for our expertise in implementing federal programs on behalf of refugees and migrants in the United States, LIRS resettles refugees, reunites children with their families or provides loving homes for them, conducts policy advocacy, and advances the protection and rights of vulnerable migrants.

Headquartered in the beautiful Inner Harbor of downtown Baltimore we provide services nationwide through a network of staff and affiliates. As we continue to grow, we search for the best candidates and offer excellent benefits including flexible work hours, medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, professional development funds, parental leave, a 403(b) with organizational match, and more!

The Vice President for Advocacy and Public Policy, in concert with the President and CEO, will define and strengthen LIRS thought leadership; influence public opinion; and inspire engagement. The Vice President will lead the execution of the advocacy strategy for LIRS including the creation of external policy-related papers and publications on unaccompanied children in migration, asylum, immigration, climate migration, and refugee issues, to increase LIRS visibility, presence, and support.

They will act as a senior representative of LIRS in public forums and with the media. They will build strong relationships between LIRS and experts, government officials, congress, nonprofit leaders, advocates, and supporters. The Vice President will also provide insight, training, and technical assistance to LIRS's staff and network partners. This position will report to the President and CEO.

DUTIES

Team Management

• Lead and manage the LIRS Advocacy team

Relationship Management and Coalition Building

• Actively identify, develop, and maintain mutually beneficial and collaborative relationships and partnerships between LIRS and nonprofit organizations, government representatives, multilateral organizations, faith communities, and advocacy networks for the purpose of advancing LIRS policy priorities and goals
• Chart and implement coalition-building strategy with organizations and constituents engaged in LIRS focus areas
• Organize opportunities for LIRS staff and Leadership Team members to participate in these partnerships and related meetings

Advocacy

• Establish Administrative and Congressional advocacy priorities in partnership with the LIRS President and CEO, and with input from senior staff
• Lead efforts to organize key stakeholder meetings, including but not limited to nonprofit leaders, government representatives, reporters, and policy experts
• Identify and assist in the execution of external events and virtual opportunities related to advocacy, including National LIRS hosted events; oversee outreach to event organizers and organizations to promote LIRS and our expertise in the space, including at town halls, webinars, briefings, etc.
• Provide regular insights, updates, and technical assistance to LIRS teams and network partners

Research and Administrative Advocacy

• Identify and develop research opportunities in partnership with LIRS Programs and Communications teams
• Draft and edit white papers, briefs, one-pagers, and op-eds
• Inform and oversee the distribution and rollout of LIRS-generated papers and publications

Public Relations and Communications

• Provide insights and act as a subject matter expert for the LIRS Communications team for the development of press releases, op-eds, media talking points, webinars, and other communications
• Other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Undergraduate degree in International Affairs, Public Policy, or related area and 7-10 years of progressive work experience in research, public relations, government, and legal affairs, or coalition building with at least 5 years of progressively responsible experience managing staff responsible for advocacy, policy writing and communications, and/or outreach
• Advanced degree in Public Policy, Law, or Business Administration strongly preferred.
• An in-depth understanding of unaccompanied children in migration is required along with prior experience and/or knowledge of asylum, climate migration, and/or refugee resettlement
• Exceptional writing and research skills. Proven ability to motivate others to action through speaking and writing
• Exceptional relationship-building skills; proven ability to maintain partnerships with key constituents, preferably in a faith-based or cause-based context at local, state, and federal levels
• A high degree of initiative; able to conceptualize, articulate, and cultivate collaboration through innovative strategies
• Strong organizational skills; driven; track record of taking projects from concept to execution
• Strong relationships with Congressional members and staff are a must
• Excellent knowledge of Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint applications
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of work records
• Knowledge of Salesforce a plus
• Spanish language capabilities and experience in Latin America are a plus
• Deep commitment to LIRS's core values and ability to model those values in relationships with colleagues and partners

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We participate in E-Verify in the states that permit its use.

We offer a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package in an innovative and rewarding work environment. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage effective on your first day of employment, 403(b) with company contribution and match, 20 days of vacation per year, tuition reimbursement, professional development, and much more. Salaries are based on the latest market data and reflect the education, skills, and requirements for the role. Differentials may exist based on the region and language abilities.