Policy & Advocacy Fellow (Immigration)

Position Summary

The Policy & Advocacy Coordinator will support the Washington West African Center’s efforts to strengthen its policy and advocacy work, with an initial focus on immigration issues affecting West African and broader immigrant communities.

This role bridges community engagement, policy research, and advocacy by centering the lived experiences of impacted individuals and translating them into actionable policy recommendations, education, and organizing strategies.

Key Responsibilities

1. Community Engagement & Listening

• Coordinate and facilitate listening sessions with community members impacted by immigration enforcement (including ICE detention and release)
• Work closely with the Community Resource Department to identify trends, challenges, and urgent needs
• Build relationships with affected individuals, families, and community leaders
• Document stories and lived experiences to inform advocacy efforts

1. Policy Research & Analysis

• Track local, state, and federal immigration policies and enforcement trends
• Research the impact of ICE policies on African and immigrant communities
• Represent the organization in policy spaces such as coalition meetings and roundtables (e.g., Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network)
• Translate policy developments into accessible summaries for internal and community use

1. Advocacy & Government Engagement

• Support coordination of meetings with lawmakers, advocates, and partners
• Help develop policy recommendations grounded in community needs
• Assist in drafting advocacy materials, briefs, and talking points

1. Know Your Rights Education

• Support the development and facilitation of Know Your Rights trainings
• Assist in creating multilingual educational materials and videos
• Ensure materials are culturally relevant and accessible

1. Emergency Preparedness Support

• Help design and distribute emergency preparedness plans for individuals at risk of ICE enforcement
• Collaborate with partners to ensure resources are accurate and actionable

1. Resource Development & Partnerships

• Identify funding opportunities to support immigration-related work
• Assist with grant research and proposal support
• Build partnerships with advocacy groups, legal organizations, and coalitions

Preferred Qualifications

• Current student or recent graduate (e.g., University of Washington or similar)
• Strong interest in immigration policy, racial justice, or community advocacy
• Experience in community organizing, research, or advocacy (academic or volunteer)
• Strong communication and facilitation skills
• Cultural competency and ability to work with diverse immigrant communities
• Multilingual skills (especially West African languages) are a strong plus

Skills Developed in This Role

• Policy analysis and advocacy strategy
• Community-based research methods
• Stakeholder engagement and coalition building
• Public education and training facilitation
• Grant research and nonprofit policy development

Supervision & Support

The Fellow will work closely with organizational leadership and program staff, with opportunities for mentorship, professional development, and exposure to regional policy advocacy spaces.