The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) is an umbrella policy and advocacy organization for nearly 200 groups in New York State that works for justice and opportunity for immigrants and refugees. The NYIC successfully brings together multi-ethnic, multi-racial, and multi-sector constituencies to pursue a common agenda. That agenda includes: improving immigrants’ access to quality health care and education; advocating for equitable immigration policies; ensuring immigrants’ civil rights; encouraging immigrants’ civic and electoral participation; coordinating immigration services; and educating both newcomer communities and the public at large about immigration issues.
Position Summary:
The incumbent will be an integral part of the NYIC’s Regional Outreach team, helping to lead statewide outreach and advocacy efforts with emphasis in Western New York or in Lower/Mid-Hudson Valley. Responsibilities will include coalition-building with diverse sectors, stakeholders, and organizations working with immigrant and refugees in New York State; coordinating advocacy efforts for NYIC policy priorities on Federal, state and local campaigns; and strengthening the capacity of member organizations through training, technical assistance, and service coordination.
Location:
The NYIC is open to candidates to be based in Rochester, Buffalo or Syracuse, or alternatively in Westchester or Mid-Hudson Valley.
Note: The NYIC is open to filling this position at the Associate, Senior Associate, or Coordinator level, depending on the experience of the successful candidate.
Responsibilities include:
Coalition-Building
- Liaise with NYIC member organizations and other groups in the region that work with immigrants, to identify and promote regional and member priorities.
- Identify opportunities to bring new allies from diverse sectors into the NYIC’s work. Form and manage strategic alliances.
Campaign Management
- Work closely with other staff to lead and/or support statewide and/or regional campaigns. Campaign topics may include and are not limited to enforcement activity along the Northern Border, access to driver’s licenses, farmworker rights, refugee rights, language access, workers’ rights, workforce development, education, healthcare, and legal services.
Policy and Political Analysis
- Provide analysis for the development of regional immigration policies
- Assess the regional landscape and the political context to identify opportunities to move advocacy initiatives forward.
Government Relations
- Foster relationships with key local, state, and federal elected and other government officials;
- Represent the organization to government officials and policymakers.
Project and Event Management
- Organize and lead regional convenings, trainings, and other small to large scale events
- Facilitate the development and implementation of legal and other immigration service coordination plans
- Assist with development of outreach and community education materials
Communications
- Work with Communication Team to do media outreach, including mainstream media as well as community and ethnic media.
- Help organize press events, drafting media alerts and releases, developing talking points, etc. as necessary.
- Serve as a spokesperson for the NYIC in media opportunities when needed
Fundraising
- Help prepare proposals and reports for funders
- Work in coordination with the Development team to pursue and develop new funding prospects.
Qualities sought:
- Professional experience working with community-based organizations, immigrant services, and / or advocacy.
- Proficiency in Spanish or another language spoken by immigrant communities in New York State is strongly preferred.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to interact well with different types of people.
- Strong public speaking and writing skills an advantage.
- Knowledge of issues facing immigrants in New York State and a commitment to social justice.
- Good judgment, self-initiative, and the flexibility to work well independently and as a member of a collaborative team.
How to Apply:
Please send cover letter explaining why this position interests you and why you are the ideal candidate, resume and a brief writing sample to Upstate_HR@nyic.org with the subject line: Regional Outreach Position
No phone calls will be accepted about this position. Application deadline September 15, 2016. The NYIC encourages applicants to submit their materials early as applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Resume review will cease once candidates are identified.
