Chief of Policy and Communications

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Tahirih Justice Center is a national, non-profit organization that supports immigrant survivors, with a focus on women and girls, seeking safety and justice. Our holistic, interdisciplinary, trauma-informed model for service combines free legal and social services with bridge-building policy advocacy, and research-based training and education. We amplify the voices of survivors in communities, courts, and Congress to create a world where women and girls enjoy equality and live in safety and with dignity. Tahirih’s 105 employees work from offices in the DC Metro Area, Baltimore, Houston, Atlanta, and the San Francisco Bay Area. To learn more about Tahirih Justice Center and its work, please visit: https://www.tahirih.org/. 

Tahirih is seeking a new Chief of Policy and Communications. The Chief of Policy and Communications is accountable for the tone, content, and values-alignment of Tahirih’s policy advocacy and external communications nationwide. This individual directly manages the Director of Communications and a Director of Public Policy (an open position) and is accountable for the quality and coordination of Tahirih’s nonpartisan advocacy and communications across the organization. The Chief ensures effective, supportive management of their teams; guides and coordinates with local advocacy teams; sets the organization’s strategy and advocacy focus in consultation with the CEO and policy staff; supports policy and client advocacy staff nationwide regarding strategy, tactics, and engagement; and serves as an internal and external expert on relevant policy topics. 

The Chief of Policy and Communications will lead and nurture a highly talented team in advocating for immigrant survivors fleeing violence as well as individuals facing or fleeing forced marriages; develop and execute a national strategy for policy and communications functions; oversee and fundraise to support a multi-million-dollar annual budget; and publicly represent Tahirih in ways that elevates Tahirih’s national profile. The Chief will serve on the executive National Support Team, a body that meets regularly to engage in consultation and decision-making to set and ensure alignment with Tahirih’s strategic goals and objectives and ensure staff and organizational well-being. 

The ideal candidate will have significant federal advocacy experience and familiarity with the policies that make it harder for immigrant survivors of violence and those facing forced marriages to obtain safety, immigration status, and economic stability in the U.S. The candidate must have experience effectively leading teams and be a proven senior manager with a track record of supporting staff and ensuring they reach their full potential. The ideal candidate will also have a proven track record of communicating in a nonpartisan manner that honors and centers the experiences of immigrants and/or survivors of violence. Because Tahirih’s communications lift up our advocacy work as well as reach our donors and funders, the Chief will lead communications strategy and work closely with the Director of Communications and the Chief of Development to create and nurture Tahirih’s voice in media, publications, emails, social media, and all external communications. The successful candidate will have facility with public speaking and be an excellent writer and editor, while also demonstrating exceptional interpersonal communication skills to nurture and build external coalitions and to drive cohesion and alignment across internal teams. The ideal candidate has a nuanced equity lens that informs strategy, programming, and management.

Tahirih is currently on fully remote working status. We intend to return employees to work through a phased approach at an unidentified time in the future when health and safety standards permit. When we fully return to offices, this position will be based out of our Falls Church, VA office.

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FACING THE CHIEF OF POLICY AND COMMUNICATIONS

The Chief of Policy and Communications at Tahirih works towards a culture of lived values in supporting the strategy-setting, management, and growth of Tahirih’s policy advocacy. The Chief of Policy and Communications ensures that all external communications align with Tahirih’s mission, values, and the needs of the community Tahirih serves. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief of Policy and Communications:

• Serves on the national support team along with Chief Executive Officer, Chief Development Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief of Programs.
• Owns, along with national support team, significant decisions related to staff well-being and organizational health including policies, procedures, and annual budgets. 
• With the national support team, leads the organization in fulfilling its commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity.
• Owns Tahirih’s national long and short term public policy strategy, in consultation with national and local policy and program teams, the CEO and board of directors as appropriate
• Until a Director of Public Policy is hired, the Chief will manage the work of the national policy team and ensure collaboration with local advocacy staff;
• Approves, consults on, and at times owns policy-related publications such as reports, one-pagers, and position papers
• Owns organizational decision-making regarding non-partisanship, communicates boundaries of non-partisanship with staff, and consults as needed with CEO and Board to ensure compliance with values
• Serves as an expert on immigration law and gender-based violence for media, peer organizations, law makers, donors, and others as needed
• Owns some policy projects and deliverables, in consultation with policy and program teams
• Owns fundraising goals for the public policy team, and engage in prospecting, drafting, editing, and relationship-building with key funders
• Manages the Director of Communications, who owns and oversees the development and implementation of Tahirih’s communications strategy; promotes a culture of high performance and continuous improvement; mentors and develops staff; and establishes and monitors staff performance and work plans.
• Consults with the Director of Communications, the communications team, the Chief Development Officer, as well as other key partners throughout the year, and approves the overall communications plan, annual goals, and content as required. 
• Manages creation of compelling materials to deepen stakeholder and donor relationships, reach clients in need of information, and educate lawmakers about the impact of policies on our clients. 
• Ensures that consultation is occurring and consults as needed with local advocacy staff in developing annual goals, setting short term priorities, and executing rapid response plans
• Manages national policy team’s engagement with client services staff to ensure open communication, coordination, and cooperation
• Fosters a strong inclusive and equitable workplace environment. 

TAHIRIH’S DEI VISION AND PRACTICE

Tahirih Justice Center centers our work in the communities with whom we advocate, we challenge ongoing oppression and we work to create an inclusive environment that is free of violence, hate and harassment. We acknowledge historic marginalization of multiple systems of oppression which impact individuals in various ways and often result in compounding levels of harm. We practice inclusiveness in decision making through consultation with employees throughout the organization. Our core values speak to the world we are creating in which women and girls can enjoy equality and live in safety and with dignity. Because we honor the dignity and right to self-determination of the whole person, we are charged with reevaluating how we are best positioned to serve our clients and how we realize this driving principle among our work force. A culture that recognizes and appreciates diversity, equity and inclusion principles can facilitate effective collaboration, create viable alternatives that lead to greater efficiencies, allow for the emergence of effective solutions, and prevent groupthink through encouraging different viewpoints.

We uphold a multi-directional approach within the organization which recognizes that those who hold positional leadership and all employees are critical partners in developing an inclusive culture. Management must possess diversity, equity and inclusion competencies to lead an engaged workforce. All team members must treat their colleagues with respect by listening to different viewpoints, opinions, thoughts and ideas and embracing a culture of inclusion. We seek leadership that is committed to further develop and expand cultural competencies, dispel stereotypes and build a work environment that is inclusive and based on mutual respect, tolerance and understanding.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE 

While no one person will embody all of the qualities enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes and experiences: 

• Sincere commitment to equity and inclusion, social justice and dismantling individual and systemic violence against women and immigrants;
• At least 10 years of relevant immigration law or advocacy experience, including more than 7 years in a significant management role; 
• Interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations with both internal and external stakeholders; demonstrated ability to maintain poise, tact, and diplomacy; 
• Demonstrated experience building authentic and effective partnerships and coalitions among organizations and activists working at all levels, including the ability to work effectively with a broad range of stakeholders by building trust, buy-in, and effective, authentic relationships; 
• Experience working within or demonstrated enthusiasm for leadership in an interdisciplinary setting;
• Experience serving as an organizational spokesperson for media, with policymakers, at conferences, and other visible opportunities;
• Senior level management experience with a demonstrated ability to manage and mentor highly intelligent, talented, and dedicated team members, including managing conflict and providing consistent constructive feedback in a timely manner;
• Experience supporting survivors of violence and trauma and those from diverse cultural backgrounds; 
• Personal and demonstrated commitment to anti-racist leadership, education, and personal growth; 
• Strong project management skills and exemplary time management and prioritization skills; 
• Strong financial literacy and experience managing multi-million dollar budgets;
• Nimble across disciplines and subjects related to Tahirih’s mission, particularly social justice issues related to migrant, gender, and racial justice; 
• Knowledge and commitment to staying abreast of immigration policy issues; 
• Strong emotional intelligence and self-motivation, with the ability to lead with and foster an environment and culture that generates constructive problem-solving, transparent communication, flexibility, and a “can-do” attitude, with candor, respect, and good humor; 
• Demonstrated ability to think innovatively and execute creative problem solving, strategic thinking, and analytical skills;
• Exceptional ability to build relationships across lines of difference, forge consensus, and resolve conflict;
• Demonstrated experience leading sustainable processes of growth and expansion and building teams to develop and implement tactical plans to fulfill a broader vision or mission; 
• Demonstrated commitment to Tahirih’s values: https://www.tahirih.org/about-us/; 
• Bilingual or multi-lingual, a plus; and
• Ability to participate in travel as needed. 

Annual salary and benefits:  The salary range for this role is expected to be $135,000-$155,000 per year, with actual salary commensurate with experience. Generous benefits include employee and dependent health, vision and dental insurance (Tahirih contributes pays 80% of the premium for employees and 60% for dependents); a 401(k) defined contribution retirement plan; flexible work schedules; professional development including in-house training programs, staff enrichment retreats and other growth opportunities. Employees have a generous self-managed leave benefit inclusive of vacation, sick and holidays, including office closure the week between Christmas and New Year’s. 

Submissions: Please include a cover letter, resume, and a list of three references.

Please note:  

1. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. 
2. Occasional travel to Tahirih’s five offices nationwide will be required.
3. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply by March 2, 2021 for best consideration.

Tahirih Justice Center is committed to equal opportunity and promotes equity and transparency as core values. Tahirih practices inclusiveness in decision making through the use of consultation with employees throughout the organization. Tahirih does not discriminate against any person on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, ability, gender, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, arrest record or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Applicants committed to equity from all backgrounds, experiences, abilities and identities, and in particular those from underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply.