Policy Analyst

U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI); Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

USCRI, headquartered in Arlington, VA, is seeking a Policy Analyst to advance global refugee and immigration policy through rigorous research, briefings, and advocacy. This in‑person, full‑time role collaborates with programmatic and communications staff to influence policy makers and support humanitarian initiatives.

The ideal candidate has a graduate-level understanding of immigration/human rights, strong writing skills, and the ability to communicate complex issues clearly to diverse

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree required; master's level or law degree strongly preferred.
• Five years of professional experience in immigration, human rights, or related fields.
• Strong writing, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and with a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Spanish, French or other language skills preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities

• Write issue papers, reports, comments, and other advocacy materials on global refugee and migration topics.
• Conduct research, including travel to assess conditions for uprooted populations.
• Make presentations and briefings in various venues.
• Chart the organization’s policy and advocacy direction with senior staff.
• Collaborate with communications staff to support external messaging.

Skills

Strong writing skills

Analytical skills

Excellent verbal and interpersonal

Time management

Team collaboration

Public speaking/ presentations

Education

Undergraduate degree

Master's degree

Law degree

Job description

The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), established in 1911, is a nongovernmental, not-for-profit international organization dedicated to addressing the needs and rights of refugees and immigrants. USCRI, working with 200 affiliates, provides legal, social, and health services to refugees, unaccompanied migrating children, trafficking survivors, and other immigrants in all 50 states, El Salvador, Honduras, Kenya, and Mexico. USCRI advocates for the rights of refugees and immigrants both nationally and globally, helping to drive humanitarian policies, practices, and law. To learn more about our work, please visit our website at www.refugees.org .

Overview

USCRI’s Policy and Advocacy Team leads the development of the organization’s position on global advocacy; international, federal, and local policies; litigation; and the root causes and conditions of crisis, movement and resettlement for refugees and other uprooted populations. Policy Analysts work in cooperation with programmatic and communications staff and report to the Associate Director of Global Advocacy and Communications.

Working with programmatic and communications staff, Policy Analysts bring refugee and immigration issues to the attention of national and international policy makers and organizations of influence. They conduct research, write in-depth, topic‑specific issue papers, conduct briefings, analyze legal decisions and international instruments, and serve as well‑informed experts on global refugee and migration issues, concepts, and trends.

This is an in‑person position at the agency's headquarters in Arlington, VA.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Write issue papers, reports, comments, and other advocacy materials on global refugee and migration topics;
• Conduct research, including travel to assess conditions for uprooted populations;
• Make presentations, conduct informational sessions, and provide briefings in a variety of venues;
• Work with the Associate Director and other senior staff to chart the organization’s policy and advocacy direction;
• Collaborate with communications staff to ensure well‑researched, in‑depth support for USCRI external messaging;
• Represent USCRI at advocacy meetings with government officials, international representatives, and other organizations, and engage in other networking activities;
• Assist in fundraising activities to support field research and advocacy.
• Perform other job‑related duties as assigned by the supervisor.
• All of the above duties and responsibilities are essential job functions subject to reasonable accommodation. All job duties indicated are not to be an exhaustive statement, and other job‑related duties may be assigned as required by the supervisor(s).

All of the above duties and responsibilities are essential job functions subject to reasonable accommodation. All job duties indicated are not to be an exhaustive statement and other job‑related duties may be assigned as required by the supervisor(s).

Position Requirements

• Undergraduate degree required; master's level or law degree strongly preferred;
• Five years of professional experience in immigration, human rights, or related fields;
• Strong writing skills;
• Analytical skills, critical thinking, and ability to construct sound arguments and positions;
• Excellent verbal and interpersonal communication skills;
• Sound judgment, curiosity, creativity, integrity and dedication to the human rights of refugees and other uprooted populations;
• Excellent time‑management, attention to detail, and organizational skills;
• Ability to work as a team member and independently, with a high‑level of self‑motivation and ability to meet goals and deadlines in a fast‑paced environment;
• Expertise on issues related to displaced and refugee children a plus;
• Ability to conduct quantitative data analysis and research using inferential statistics, and an ability to communicate statistical findings to diverse audiences is a plus;
• Ability to travel (sometimes at short notice);
• Spanish, French or other language skills preferred, but not required

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Use of manual dexterity, tactile, visual, and audio acuity;
• Use of repetitive motion, prolonged periods of sitting and standing, and sustained visual and mental applications and demands; and
• Occasional lifting (up to 25 pounds), bending, pulling, and carrying.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants is an equal opportunity employer. We maintain a policy of equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, domestic partnership status, marital status, physical or mental disability, AIDS/HIV status, age, political affiliation, genetic information, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.