Program Director, Migration Policy at Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Washington, District of Columbia, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

04 Feb, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

06 Nov, 25

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Advocacy, Migration Policy, Interpersonal Skills, Communication Skills, Political Judgment, Strategic Decision-Making, Grassroots Advocacy, Knowledge of Federal Government, Organizational Skills, Flexibility, Initiative, Collaboration, Bilingual, Social Justice, Christian Tradition, Ecumenical Coalitions

Industry

Religious Institutions

Description

Description About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 3 million members in more than 8,600 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther. The Lutheran Center (national office) is located in Chicago, Illinois. A staff of approximately 400, under the leadership of the Presiding Bishop, serve as administrators, advisors, conveners, partners, and resource people for the ELCA and its ministries. Staff lead the work of national, domestic, and global ministries and programs including Lutheran Disaster Response, ELCA World Hunger, Service & Justice, Christian Community and Leadership, and Innovation. We are also home to five of our separately incorporated ministries: The Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA, Women of the ELCA, Lutheran Men in Mission, the ELCA Foundation and the ELCA Federal Credit Union. About the position This position is located in Washington, D.C. and serves the church as a member of both the Witness in Society (WiS) and AMMPARO (Accompanying Migrants with Protection, Advocacy, Representation, and Opportunities) teams within the Service and Justice (S&J) Unit. Through the Service and Justice (S&J) unit, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Churchwide Organization shall foster and facilitate this church’s engagement in service with and among communities and promote efforts to call and act for justice. Its work includes engaging in mission, service, and justice in accompaniment with churches and organizations in other countries (serving as the means through which churches in other countries engage in mission to this church and society); engaging with communities, coalitions and networks, congregations, and regional ELCA synods in service and justice work within the territorial jurisdiction of this church; and providing guidance to members of the denomination on matters of social justice. Witness in Society (WiS) encompasses some of the work and ministry the ELCA does in the public sphere, advancing justice and shining a light on peace and dignity. Our advocacy activity is coordinated from the ELCA’s federal hub in Washington, D.C. alongside the Lutheran Office for World Community at the United Nations in New York City; Lutheran state public policy offices (SPPOs) in California, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin (as well as more than 15 additional affiliated state partners serving even more states; and through the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program. This position leads the federal migration policy portfolio within the federal policy team of WiS. The ELCA AMMPARO (Accompanying Migrants with Protection, Advocacy, Representation, and Opportunities) strategy, adopted in 2016, is the ELCA’s global migration strategy that guides the churchwide organization’s AMMPARO program, ministry, and public witness. This position is a member of the AMMPARO core team and AMMPARO Executive Committee and leads the advocacy portion of the ELCA AMMPARO migration strategy. This full-time in-person (up to 5 days per week in office) is based out of the ELCA federal hub near the U.S. Capitol. Job Responsibilities: 1. Leads strategic federal policy advocacy on migration issues and political developments to create policy outcomes consistent with ELCA social teaching and policy positions. These issue areas include, but are not limited to humanitarian assistance, human dignity and rights for all migrants, refugees and undocumented people. 2. Represents ELCA federal policy priorities to the U.S. federal policymakers; maintains productive relationships with various congressional offices and U.S. federal government agencies, especially the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security (DHS), Justice, the State Department and the White House; and as relevant other federal intergovernmental and non-governmental agencies and offices as appropriate to advance policy priorities and strategy. 3. In support of (1) and (2) above, establishes, grows, and maintains substantial knowledge of ELCA social teaching; the policy commitments of the ELCA; and the contributions of the Christian tradition to public life. Cultivates an informed appreciation for the value of ecumenical and inter-faith coalitions in shared commitments for social change 4. Relates to and represents the policy positions of the ELCA to and where appropriate partners with ecumenical, interfaith and secular organizations and coalitions that work on the issues named above in (1) & (2). Partners and coalitions include, but are not limited to as Global Refuge, the Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC), the Washington Interreligious Staff Community (WISC), and secular organizations such as the Latin American Working Group (LAWG) and Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA). 5. As a part of the AMMPARO Team and in collaboration with AMMPARO core staff and relevant ELCA stakeholders supports ongoing development of the operational and communications plans for the AMMPARO strategy. In coordination with relevant staff, church partners and other stakeholders leads the advocacy portions of this plan. 6. Develops and carries out with relevant staff, AMMPARO grassroots and grass tops strategies to influence policy outcomes, to teach advocacy as a faith practice, and to engage ELCA members and leaders in migration issues. Advises church leaders and initiatives addressing federal migration policy. 7. Works actively to maintain relationships between the ELCA’s federal advocacy offices and relevant ELCA grassroots networks, including the AMMPARO networks. Actively promotes the voices and experiences of ELCA members, leaders, ministries, global companions, and impacted communities to policy makers; engages ELCA members and leaders in advocacy work (such as through facilitating constituent engagement with members of Congress), both to support effective federal policy advocacy and to promote the practice of advocacy as Christian discipleship. 8. Designs and produces federal migration issue-focused resources, including action alerts, federal policy briefings issue papers, press releases and other communications as appropriate for relevant ELCA stakeholders. Within capacity, presents about ELCA federal migration policy priorities at ELCA, interfaith and other venues. 9. Maintains relationships as appropriate with advocacy partners in WiS, other S&J leadership & colleagues, and Racial Justice Ministries colleagues. Informs ELCA leaders, clergy and members about key issues and opportunities for action. Serves as a resource to the Conference of Bishop’s Immigration Ready Bench and the Office of the Presiding Bishop. Provides timely and regular policy updates to all relevant stakeholders. 10. Serves as an active team member within WiS, AMMPARO, the broader S&J unit and the entire Churchwide Office (CWO) of the ELCA. Actively supports colleagues’ success and promotes effective work processes and sustainable organizational culture by maintaining good working relationships; meeting deadlines; supporting effective and efficient operational processes; and responded in a timely and professional manner to all stakeholders. 11. Within sustainable capacity, performs other duties as assigned. Requirements 1. Minimum of B.A. (political science, public policy or related degree preferred) supplemented by substantial direct experience in immigration policy, government and/or the federal policy making process, such as work as legislative staff, or in public policy, advocacy, government relations or related area (5 years+ preferred). Work as a congressional staffer and direct personal experience with organizations and migrant or refugee communities on the ground is highly preferred. 2. Knowledge of grassroots advocacy techniques and promotions as well as extensive knowledge of the Federal government and its legislative, regulatory and budget processes; capacity for and experience with political judgment, critical thinking, and strategic decision-making 3. Robust interpersonal skills to interact with leading decision-makers in government, other non-profits, business community. 4. Demonstrated interest in migration issues. 5. Strong written and oral communication skills. 6. A high standard of professional effectiveness including: organization, efficiency, and follow through; flexibility, skill in time management, and the ability to prioritize effectively between competing priorities; initiative, ownership, and the ability to lead in a demanding environment as well as the ability to work collaboratively toward shared outcomes across programs and organizations. 7. Values alignment with the social teaching and theology of the ELCA. Informed appreciation of the contributions of the Christian tradition to public life and the role of faith-based, ecumenical and inter-faith coalitions in shared commitments for social change. Commitment to building and maintaining substantial knowledge of the social teaching and policy commitments of the ELCA. 8. Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred Physical While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone, and sometimes, to move about the state Capitol for meetings and other events. This position requires sitting for long periods of time. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Travel Some travel required, primarily in U.S.A. and Latin America. Up to 10% - 5 weeks Benefits The ELCA offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees, including employer paid health premiums for employees, health and dependent care FSA’s, a health savings account (HSA) with an employer contribution, life insurance, and a substantial employer contribution to 403b retirement plan (no match required). We also offer a generous paid time-off policy including 17 paid holidays. All benefits commence on your start date. Contact If you have questions about this job or your application, please complete this form to contact Human Resources. Salary Commensurate with qualifications and relevant experience.

Responsibilities

The Program Director leads strategic federal policy advocacy on migration issues and represents ELCA federal policy priorities to U.S. federal policymakers. They also develop grassroots strategies to influence policy outcomes and engage ELCA members in advocacy work.