Senior Policy Counsel San Francisco, CA

(SENIOR) POLICY COUNSEL Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS)

Classification: Class Code TBD / TBD / Exempt / Full-Time / Benefited

This is a one-year position with the possibility for renewal dependent on funding

Hiring Salary Range : $90,000 - $120,000 (commensurate with experience)

The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) defends the human rights of people seeking asylum in the United States. With strategic focus and unparalleled legal expertise, CGRS has for over 25 years championed the most challenging cases, fought for due process, and promoted policies to ensure safety and justice for refugees.

With the right to seek asylum under direct attack—and at the center of the national political conversation—it is critical that advocates and communities come together to ensure fair and dignified treatment for newcomers seeking refuge. CGRS's integrated litigation, policy advocacy, and technical assistance and training programs position us as a trusted partner with a track record of empowering advocates. We are poised to lead in this arena, serve as a counterweight to anti-asylum forces, and advance solutions for a just system that protects people seeking asylum and helps our communities thrive.

The (Senior) Policy Counsel is an asylum policy expert who will play a lead role in driving CGRS's federal policy work through analysis and advocacy. They will work closely with CGRS's litigation, attorney education, and policy programs to implement our policy agenda, including drafting regulatory comments and legislation, conducting research, developing reports, explainers, and other materials in support of CGRS's policy and advocacy agenda, providing counsel and strategic guidance to support asylum advocates' work, and representing CGRS before Congress, administrative agencies, and with partner organizations and coalitions.

The (Senior) Policy Counsel will have the opportunity to help develop creative advocacy strategies grounded in the experiences of the people directly impacted by forced displacement and using innovative media and communications strategies. This position will report directly to the Director of Policy & Advocacy.

There is a strong preference for the individual to reside in the Washington, DC area; we will also consider in-person or remote candidates based in California.

• Support CGRS leadership in strengthening our federal policy agenda and developing a California policy agenda with priorities designed to defend and expand the right to seek asylum.
• Serve as CGRS's representative in Washington, D.C. advocating to advance positive asylum policies.
• Maintain relationship with congressional office, cultivate congressional champions, and support educational briefings for congressional staff.

• Conduct and lead work in the areas of legislative, regulatory, and policy analysis to protect the right to seek asylum, including drafting, commenting on, and revising proposed legislation, including appropriations; providing expert analysis and advice on pending legislation for stakeholders including federal and state agency staff and partner organizations; participating in oversight activities and rapid response efforts; supporting CGRS staff and external partners including people with lived experience of forced displacement in testifying at legislative hearings and briefings, and drafting comments on federal rule making and other executive action.
• Conduct research, draft and provide feedback on reports, explainers, factsheets, one-pagers, talking points, and other materials in support of CGRS's policy and advocacy agenda in collaboration with the CGRS team.
• Adapt both written and oral communication for multiple diverse audiences, including policymakers, funders, asylum seekers and others with lived experience of forced displacement, and the public.

• In collaboration with the policy and advocacy team, coordinate and facilitate meetings with key stakeholders including legislative staff, agency officials,…