Senior Program Associate, Advancing Universal Representation

About the team:

Veras Advancing Universal Representation initiative (UREP) is dedicated to promoting due process in the immigration system byestablishinga universal right to representation for immigrants facing deportation and promoting an end to civil immigration detention. While people accused of crimes are entitled to government-funded counsel toassistin their defense immigrants facing deportation are not. As a result most immigrants criminalized by the criminal legal and immigration systems go unrepresented and face detention and the prospects of deportation alone. For people in immigration detention the challenges of accessing counsel and navigating the complexities of immigrationcourtare especially harsh.

UREP promotes sensible humane policy advancements that promote fairness in our immigration system and envisions a future in which people at risk of deportation can understand their legal rights and navigate their cases with the support of their families and loved ones free of detention or surveillance. UREP advances this work through partnership program implementation research and integrated federal and state campaigns that buildupon Veras more than 20 years of immigration work. UREPs Safety and Fairness for Everyone (SAFE) Network forms a powerful cohort ofjurisdictionssupported by Vera to advance this work at the local and state level. The Fairness to Freedom Campaign whichseeksto pass legislationestablishinga statutory right to government-provided representation for people at risk of deportation forms the teams long-term policy goal.

About the role:

The senior program associate willsupportUREPs programmatic and policy goals of advancing publicly funded universal representation programs at the state and local level andUREPsadvocacy to secure these investments. The senior program associate willengage in policy and advocacy to support efforts toaddress the criminalization of immigrants andeliminatecivil immigration detention.

1. Program Design and Management

• Serve as the lead liaison for severaljurisdictionsandcollaboratewith our local stakeholders (government partners legal service providers and advocates) to support launch sustainability and growth of universal representation programs.
• Advise onbest practices in program design and implementation for universal representationprograms.
• Manage relationships withgrantees and partners including contracting and communicating about program impact and needsparticipatingin coalition meetingsliaisingwith research staff on research and data collectionneeds etc.
• Serve as subject matter expert when needed and propose new projects
• Manage project targets andmilestones andwork to ensure that key targets and milestones are met.
• Conduct site visits to meet with local stakeholders.

2. Technical Assistance and Advocacy

• Work with UREP advocacy and program colleagues to support the implementation of an advocacy plan; actively participate in designing and staffingfederalstateand/orlocal campaigns in Veras SAFE Networkorother priority jurisdictions including budgetary measures administrative policies and legislation in support of universal representation due process and aligned priorities.
• Collaborate across Vera with the Advocacy and Partnerships Communications and other internal teams and with consultants to support communications and advocacy strategy and other goals (e.g. drafting fact sheets talking points op-eds testimony etc.).
• Educate and advocate directly with government officials and their staff.
• Effectively partner withgrass topsand grassroots allies.
• Foster connections to UREPs federal advocacy priorities and overall strategic goals through state and local advocacy.
• Support our technicalassistanceportfolio for SAFE network members and the field including helping plan in-person or virtualtrainings convenings or webinars asappropriate.
• Leverage professional experience and expertise and expertise from site-based work to identify best practices to inform technical assistance.

3. Write up/presentation of projects

• Serve as a subject matter expert to teamindevelopingresources policydraftingand analysis legislation and advocacy.
• Supportpolicy and advocacy efforts that advance access to counsel as a policy tool andwhere applicable policies that reduce the pipeline between the criminal legal and immigration systems and end immigration detention.
• Manage the preparation of information and/or lead background research and literature reviews for reports. Write up results and integrate into public-facing products including reports advocacy documents or other publications
• Createand advise onaccessible explainers fact sheetsbriefingsand testimony thatdistillcomplex legal and policy analyses for various audiences.
• Provide legislative support research or testimony in support of existing coalitions or allied organizations.
• Research develop and draft technicalassistanceproducts model policies fact sheets and other educational materials.
• Present onVeras work at conferences onwebinars and other external events.
• Present at internal Vera events (department meetings brown bag discussions etc.)

4. TeamSupport and Internal Collaboration

• Support hiring and recruitment of associates analysts assistants and/or interns as needed andassistin their onboarding to the initiative
• Supervise and/or mentor associates analysts assistants and/or interns
• Invest in the professional development of team members
• Collaborate with internal departments (advocacy communications legal finance people place and culture IT etc.) when necessary

What qualifications are we looking for

:

• Bachelors degree and 4 plus years of relevant lieu of degree requirement applicable work or life experience may be considered
• At least four years of legal government advocacy or policy work experience.
• Recentexperience representing immigrants in removal proceedings as an attorney or Department of Justice Accredited Representative.
• Strong familiarity with the immigration legal system and/or immigration policy through lived or work experience.

Preferred:

• A JD or graduate degreein public policy or another relevant field
• Subject matterexpertisein the topics relevant to the projects area of focus
• Experience analyzing federal andstatelegislative and regulatory policy or experience with legislative drafting
• Experience engaging local governments and broad coalitions to build consensus on policy reform issues

Knowledge Skills & Abilities youll bring:

• Strong writingandlegal analysis skills.
• Strong public speaking and facilitation skills.
• Strong inter-relational skills and experience working effectively in a large organization with multiple stakeholders
• Diplomacy.
• Flexibility adaptability and productivity in a changing political environment.
• Ability to consider multiple perspectives think critically provide an analysis evaluate risk and implement solutions to complex problems.
• An uncompromising commitment to immigrants rights and racial equity.
• Attention to detail excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage work on multiple projects independently and efficiently.

Location:

Please note this role will report to our Brooklyn NY; Washington DC or Los Angeles CA office. Vera employees adhere to a hybrid schedule and are in-office on an alternating schedule that generally amounts to 10 days per month.

Compensation and Benefits:

The compensation range for this position is $92000.00 - $95000.00. In addition this position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (ALAA) UAW 2325.Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to experience and performance. The salary range listed is just one component of Vera Institutes total compensation package for employees. As an employer of choice in our field supporting Vera staff - both personally and professionally - is a priority. To do this we invest in the well-being of our staff through other rewards including merit pay generous paid time off a comprehensive health insurance plan student loan repayment benefits professional development training opportunities and up to $2000 annual for education costs and fees relevant to Vera work employer-funded retirement plan and flexible time.To learn more about Veras benefits offeringsclick here.

Applications may also be faxed to:

ATTN: People Place and Culture / JOBTITLE
Vera Institute of Justice
34 35th St Suite 4-2A Brooklyn NY 11232
Fax:
Please use only one method (online mail or fax) of submission.
No phone calls please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

Vera is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race color creed national origin sex age disability marital status sexual orientation military status prior record of arrest or conviction citizenship status current employment status or caregiver status.

Vera works to advance justice particularly racial justice in an increasingly multicultural country and globally connected world. We value diverse experiences includingwith regard toeducational background and justice system contact and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission.

For more information about Vera please visit.