Senior Advisor for Affiliate & Institutional Strategy

ABOUT US

UnidosUS, previously known as NCLR (National Council of La Raza), is the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization. Through its unique combination of expert research, advocacy, programs, and an Affiliate Network of nearly 300 community-based organizations across the United States and Puerto Rico, UnidosUS simultaneously challenges the social, economic, and political barriers that affect Latinos at the national and local levels. For more than 50 years, UnidosUS has united communities and different groups seeking common ground through collaboration, and that share a desire to make our community stronger. For more information on UnidosUS, visit www.unidosus.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

SUMMARY

For more than 55 years, UnidosUS (UUS) has united communities and different groups seeking common ground through collaboration, and that share a desire to make our country stronger. UnidosUS, previously known as NCLR (National Council of La Raza) is the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization. Through our unique combination of expert research, advocacy programs, and an Affiliate Network of 300+ community-based organizations across the United States and Puerto Rico, UnidosUS simultaneously challenges the social, economic, and political barriers that affect Latinos at the national and local levels.

The Senior Advisor for Affiliate and Institutional Strategy is an institutional role that will support UUS’s Protect, Defend & Advance strategy by leading, managing, and coordinating the institutional support of the Affiliate Network to strengthen their immigration legal services and rapid response capacities. The Senior Advisor plays a key role in advancing UnidosUS's crisis response priorities, particularly related to Affiliates’ readiness to respond to changes in immigration policy and enforcement in their communities. In addition, this position also collaborates closely with the Affiliate Engagement and Policy & Advocacy teams as it relates to the organization’s Protect, Defend, and Advance (PD&A) strategy. This position reports to the Chief Operating Officer and the Vice President of Affiliate Partnerships and works closely with internal teams, Affiliates, and external allies to drive positive change for the Latino community. The Senior Advisor will work closely with the Senior VPs leading the PD&A Strategy and provide advice to the CEO Cabinet, as needed

This position is hybrid and based in our Washington, DC, Los Angeles, CA, or Phoenix, AZ offices. Depending on the candidate, remote work may be an option (eligible states: Arizona, California, and Texas).

Salary: $210,000-$230,000 (salary differentials will apply outside of the Washington DC area.)

Essential Functions:

Rapid Response and Immigration Legal Services:

• Guide, advise, and inform UnidosUS strategies to build Affiliates’ capacities to effectively engage in rapid response and immigration legal services in in their communities.
• Lead the coordination and delivery of technical assistance to Affiliates to build their capacities to effectively engage in rapid response and immigration legal services in their communities.
• Cultivate, coordinate, and maintain collaborative relationships with legal state and national organizations, networks, and volunteer groups and facilitate access to Affiliates to resources and relationships that can support their legal services and rapid response strategies.
• Leverage UnidosUS’s grasstops relationships with Affiliate leaders and partners in the field to foster and advance strategic coalitions.
• Contribute to institutional efforts to shape the public narrative to reflect UnidosUS priorities related to the impact of immigration enforcement on local, state, and national stability.

Institutional Management and Cross-Sectional Leadership

• Advise the Protect, Defend & Advance table on immigration law issues.
• Advise senior leadership on institutional immigration policy strategy.
• Advise and support UUS leaders in development and execution of relevant stakeholder convenings, including with Affiliates.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and internal teams to advance strategic impact priorities.
• Collaborate with the Immigrant Integration team to promote immigration legal services and rapid response resources across program and policy efforts.
• Collaborate with the Affiliate Engagement team to advance capacity-building and coalition-building strategies.
• Collaborate with field directors to strategize on state-specific opportunities.
• Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications team to advance UnidosUS messaging and elevate Affiliate stories.
• Collaborate with the Learning and Evaluation team to track and monitor indicators of engagement and impact by Affiliates engaged in this work.

Required Qualifications

• A juris doctorate degree.
• Current bar membership in good standing of any US state or the District of Columbia.
• Minimum 10 years of experience with immigration law and policies stemming from practicing law.
• Demonstrated knowledge of immigration legal services. Interest in partnering with and supporting organizations led by and/or comprised of immigrants and/or limited English speakers.
• Exceptional time management skills and the ability to manage multiple projects.
• Ability to travel for Affiliate convenings, site visits, and other organizational events. (10%-20% yearly)
• Experience in designing and implementing creative service delivery models while effectively leveraging community partnerships and support.
• Excellent writing skills with the ability to write quickly and accurately for a variety of audiences including Affiliates, the general public, and attorneys.
• A strong work ethic, including the following qualities: organized, flexible, reliable, goal-oriented, and dependable, with the ability to be an independent worker and handle several projects simultaneously while thriving in a team-based collaborative decision-making environment.
• Project management skills, including planning, strategy setting, monitoring, and reporting to various audiences.
• Deep knowledge of immigration advocacy issues, especially pertaining to the accessibility of immigration benefits, immigration enforcement, immigration consequences of crime, naturalization, family immigration and DACA, and familiarity with processes pertaining to federal agencies. Must keep current of changes in immigration law and procedures.
• Demonstrated experience with and knowledge of the Latino community.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual ability (English and Spanish).
• Experience working with Latino-serving community-based organizations.

Skills and Abilities

• Steadfast commitment to UnidosUS mission, vision, and values (Excellence, Respeto, Accountability).
• Commitment to U.S. Latino community, Latino nonprofit organizations, and the Latino market.
• Ability to maintain and nurture collegial relationships with the full range of partners including Affiliates, coalition partners, volunteer attorneys.
• Ability to think quickly and creatively to solve unique problems, willingness to push for solutions.
• Able to work well independently and remotely.

Competencies

• LeadershipExhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; Effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Accepts feedback from others; Gives appropriate recognition to others.
• Strategic ThinkingDevelops strategies to achieve organizational goals; Understands organization's strengths & weaknesses; Analyzes market and competition; Identifies external threats and opportunities; Adapts strategy to changing conditions.
• Project ManagementDevelops project plans; Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Manages project team activities.
• Written CommunicationWrites clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Oral CommunicationSpeaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
• Problem SolvingIdentifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• TeamworkBalances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Accurately complete detailed forms and reports.
• Coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Sit for long periods of time.
• Utilize visual acuity to operate equipment, read technical information, and/or use a keyboard.

Please note: We are not accepting inquiries or solicitations from third-party recruiters or search firms at this time.

COVID-19 Considerations:

• UnidosUS follows

CDC guidance and strongly encourages employees to stay up to date on vaccinations and practice a range of preventive measures to support their well-being and maintain a healthy work environment.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Employment with UnidosUS is contingent upon the successful completion of a background screen.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, marital status, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, personal appearance, family responsibilities, political affiliation, or enrollment in a college, university, technical school, or adult education.