The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) is the largest membership organization of asylum seekers in the United States, with over 300,000 members from 175 countries. ASAP members gain access to critical resources and join a collective effort to build a United States that welcomes individuals fleeing violence.
The Role
The Policy Counsel for the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) will play a key role in fighting for systemic change of the asylum system alongside ASAP’s members. ASAP works with our members — over 300,000 asylum seekers from over 175 countries — to advance their policy priorities. ASAP’s large and diverse membership makes ASAP uniquely positioned to understand the biggest concerns asylum seekers have and to advocate for what asylum seekers want and need from the U.S. immigration system.
The Policy Counsel is responsible for assisting the Policy Director to advance ASAP members’ policy priorities. This position will serve as a contact for government officials and will represent ASAP with coalition partners and allied organizations.
Responsibilities
- Reviews and analyzes proposed legislation, regulations, and policies on policy issues of concern to ASAP members.
- Propose creative policy solutions to problems identified by ASAP members.
- Identify questions to survey ASAP members on key policy issues.
- Works with ASAP membership team to draft surveys for ASAP members that will identify emerging policy issues that are important to the growing ASAP membership.
- Using the results of the survey and working in close contact with Capitol Hill offices, drafts legislation to address policy issues of concern to ASAP members.
- Drafts substantive comments to proposed regulations.
- Drafts analysis documents to proposed legislation.
- Engage partner organizations to advocate for the policy issues identified by ASAP members.
- Organize hill briefings on pertinent policy issues.
- Train ASAP member leaders to participate in congressional briefings.
- Decide when to email listservs highlighting ASAP’s press and member stories, draft and send email blasts to listservs.
Qualifications
A successful Policy Counsel will be able to effectively reach and engage hill audiences and other external stakeholders to amplify ASAP’s work and reach wider audiences. Familiarity with issues related to immigration and asylum is preferred and the ability to translate complex policy ideas to broader, non-policy audiences is essential.
- A J.D. degree is required.
- 2+ years of immigration policy and/or related work experience, such as experience in government.
- Fluency in Spanish (written and spoken) is preferred.
- Commitment to ASAP’s mission, members, clients, and member-centered advocacy style.
- Experience generating engaging content for broader audiences with a focus on accessibility.
- Ability to exhibit trauma-informed, and culturally competent approaches to working with people with historically marginalized identities.
- Ability to take complex policy ideas and communicate them to non-policy audiences.
- Strong planning and time management skills, with an ability to coordinate deliverables across multiple internal collaborators.
Location
Remote workplace, location flexible.
Start Date
We are considering applications on a rolling basis.
Salary & Benefits
The salary for this position is $70,000-$90,000, commensurate with qualifications. ASAP offers an excellent benefits package including health insurance coverage at no cost, 401K matching, generous paid vacation, personal, and sick days, and paid parental leave.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should apply at this link. The position will be open until it is filled. If you have questions, please email [email protected].
ASAP is an equal opportunity employer. ASAP strongly encourages asylum seekers, immigrants, Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color (BIPOC), Latinx people, people with disabilities, LGBTQ people, women, first-generation college students/professionals, and all marginalized individuals to apply, and recognizes the unique and valuable skills that such applicants can bring to this work.
