Policy Analyst

Policy Analyst - Full Time

New Jersey Consortium for Immigrant Children

The New Jersey Consortium for Immigrant Children (NJCIC) is seeking a Policy Analyst to join NJCIC’s policy program - a project at NJCIC that works to advance the rights of immigrant children and youth in New Jersey through education, capacity building, relationship/network formation, leadership development, and lobbying, among other strategies.

About NJCIC

The New Jersey Consortium for Immigrant Children (NJCIC) works with NJ’s young immigrants and their allies to advance their full, fearless participation in our society. NJCIC seeks lawful status for immigrant youth and advocates for system-wide change in the areas of education, access to justice, and health equity. NJCIC’s Legal Program provides direct immigration legal services to youth under 21 in removal defense and asylum applications, SIJS, and other benefits, and serves as the intake and referral hub for all unaccompanied children seeking help from a state-funded program providing free representation in immigration court. We empower immigrant youth and families by conducting Know Your Rights sessions and developing youth-oriented educational materials and improve representation and advocacy on behalf of immigrant youth by convening trainings and bimonthly provider meetings. NJCIC’s Policy Program coordinates our members and youth advocates to achieve systemic change in our three focus areas. Our ultimate goal is a NJ where every young immigrant has lawful status and the opportunity to advance, and where families can stay together and thrive. We want NJ to be a welcoming and inclusive state for all children - a place where every young immigrant has the opportunity to feel secure, advance, and achieve success in their lives.

Job Responsibilities

The Policy Analyst will join a dynamic and growing organization. Working under the supervision of the Policy Director, the analyst will focus on three key policy areas: access to justice, education, and healthcare access, in addition to advocacy related to state legislative priorities. The analyst’s work will have a particular emphasis on amplifying resource sharing, education, and best practices for organizations and local stakeholders serving immigrant families and children in New Jersey.

The Policy Analyst will lead efforts in driving community partnerships with organizations and stakeholders serving New Jersey’s immigrant communities. This will involve supporting the Director in coalition meetings, coordinating collaborative opportunities, and facilitating policy advocacy efforts and training. The Policy Analyst will work with the Policy Director to convene stakeholders from education, legal services, healthcare, and community-based organizations to collectively assess the evolving needs of immigrant families in New Jersey.

Finally, the Policy Analyst will be involved in various campaign activities, including developing and assisting in social media content to garner support for the organization's policy work. They will support NJCIC’s local, state, and federal advocacy efforts impacting NJ’s immigrant children and families, through legislative and executive based advocacy to effect change to benefit immigrant children. By actively contributing to these efforts, the Policy Analyst will deepen and broaden the Consortium's capacity to advocate in our policy focus areas, strengthening our commitment to advancing the rights and well-being of immigrant children in New Jersey. This role offers opportunities for professional growth within a small team and is well-suited for individuals passionate about empowering immigrant communities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Establish and nurture community partnerships with organizations in education, healthcare, and legal services within New Jersey.
• Support the Policy Director in coalition and legislative meetings, coordinating collaborative opportunities, and facilitating policy advocacy efforts and training.
• Facilitate sharing of resources with local and state stakeholders serving immigrant children and families with their educational, health, and legal needs.
• Create and periodically update the Consortium’s public education materials in video and written forms.
• Create programming to promote state-sponsored healthcare programs within NJCIC, our partners, and outside organizations.
• Participate in various campaign activities aimed at raising awareness and garnering support for the organization's policy work.
• Assist Policy Director in legislative and budget advocacy on state level to advance immigrant children’s access to justice, education and healthcare.
• Assist Policy Director and Policy team in developing federal level advocacy to create change for the betterment of immigrant children’s lives.
• Develop and execute social media content to engage the community and stakeholders.
• Tabling at community events.
• Support the Policy Director in state level Budget advocacy for our Access to Justice focus area, in addition to supporting or spearheading work related to legislative advocacy.
• Perform other tasks assigned by the Policy Director or Executive Director.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required, Master’s Degree is a plus;
• A minimum of one to two years of experience in policy advocacy work, or other relevant professional experience;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Lived experience or interest in issues that impact immigrant children and youth;
• Previous experience in immigration policy, or helping an immigrant population a plus;
• Deep, demonstrated commitment to elevating youth, immigrant communities, and communities of color, participation in making public policy, and a basic understanding of tools that can help achieve this;
• Basic understanding of immigration policy and the immigration system, or a strong interest in learning these systems;
• Ability to manage several projects simultaneously and independently, and adjust to changing needs or shifts in the environment;
• Basic knowledge of legislative and administrative processes, or a keen desire to learn these areas;
• Strong interpersonal skills;
• Deep passion in coalition building;
• Cultural humility and comfort working with diverse populations;
• Fluency in Spanish a plus but not required.

This full-time position offers a competitive minimum salary of $60,000, with excellent benefits including health insurance, generous leave, 401(k) match, and the opportunity for professional growth within a dynamic and passionate team. NJCIC has a hybrid work model, requiring staff to work a minimum of two days a week (Tuesday and Thursday) at a co-working space in Jersey City, with the remaining hours worked remotely. Occasional travel within the state and work outside regular business hours is required.

NJCIC is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, veterans, LGBTQAI+ people, and those with lived experiences in the communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply.

ALL POSITIONS AT NJCIC ARE HYBRID ROLES REQUIRING EMPLOYEES TO WORK A MINIMUM OF TWO DAYS ON SITE AT NJCIC'S OFFICE IN NJ. OCCASIONAL ADDITIONAL IN-PERSON WORK IS REQUIRED. ALL REMOTE WORK MUST BE CONDUCTED IN THE UNITED STATES.