Nevada Advocacy Consultant

Scope of Work:

In the past several years, IRC’s US field offices have been battling the strengthened influence of anti-refugee-resettlement grassroots actors. In early 2016, fuelled by measures against refugee resettlement in the U.S. Congress as well as moratoriums on resettlement declared by 31 Governors, the IRC witnessed an increase in state legislation opposing refugee resettlement. Through diligent and targeted engagement that trend has been reversed, as evidenced in 2019 when 43 Governors across the United States publicly affirmed that refugees were welcome in their state. In the years between, IRC field offices and other partners throughout the United States have strengthened their education, outreach, and advocacy work at the state and local levels - influencing legislation, securing funding and gathering resolutions of support - by lifting up the contributions of refugees and the strong support of local communities that our programs enjoy.

The IRC and Refugee Advocacy Lab now seek to build on and sustain these successes in targeted states; this contractor position will deliver on relevant tasks and objectives for this work in Nevada. The Nevada Contractor will deliver on strategic goals for the Refugee Advocacy Lab and the IRC by organizing advocacy activities around the state of Nevada, building networks and providing tools, resources and learning support to local actors in order to strengthen their capacity on behalf of the IRC and the Lab. The Nevada Consultant will lead local partners and coalitions to deliver a strategic advocacy plan and provide critical technical support and direction, engaging directly with legislators where necessary. With relationships in place and an empowered network of support, the IRC and the Lab will cultivate and strengthen relationships within the state legislature, and in some cases Members of Congress, to drive pro-refugee initiatives.

Deliverables:

1. List of Nevada based resettlement agencies and key immigration advocacy networks including contact information and plan for outreach and sustained contact with each.
2. Implementation of outreach plan is conducted and tracked in writing through a shared mechanism (e.g. google doc) updated weekly
3. List of priority Nevada state legislators and municipal leaders based on criteria established by IRC and plan for outreach to legislators, including the Governor’s Office
4. Implementation of legislator outreach plan is conducted and tracked in writing through a shared mechanism (e.g. google doc)
5. Weekly written or oral report to the Western States Advocacy Officer regarding the impact of state legislative activity and policies on refugees and other immigrant communities in Nevada, and opportunities to advance refugee inclusion in broader integration policies.Report to also include engagement activity with localities.
6. Host at least 3 advocacy skill-building sessions for refugee leaders in Nevada. Develop agenda/program for sessions and submit in advance for approval by Western States Advocacy Officer.
7. Development and distribution of monthly written newsletter to new partners that identifies opportunities (legislative/grassroots) for them to demonstrate support of refugee resettlement, including IRC-led legislative state or federal digital actions.
8. Exit report identifying 3 needs of the refugee/immigrant community that can be resolved via policy at the state/local level and steps for continuing engagement.