Immigration and Advocacy Manager

Enlace Chicago is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of the residents of the Little Village Community by fostering a physically safe and healthy environment in which to live and by  championing opportunities for educational advancement and economic development.  

Position description: Enlace Chicago is looking for an individual who will provide support, guidance and alignment to Enlace Chicago’s Immigration and Advocacy work and efforts, internally and externally. The Immigration and Advocacy team help advance policy focused on improving the quality of life of immigrant residents of the city of Chicago, Cook County, and State of Illinois. This position also leads the implementation of the legal clinic Enlace Chicago and Beyond Legal Aid run on a weekly basis. The legal clinic was established 7 years ago, and its  objective is to fulfill the needs for legal advice and representation of community residents. Interested candidates must be dedicated to social justice, developing local immigrant leadership and working within multiple issue areas. Experience working within immigrant communities and  immigrant rights is required. 

Reports to: Deputy Director of Programs 

Accountable to: Co-Executive Directors, Deputy Director of Administration 

Communicates with: Enlace Chicago Directors, Enlace Chicago Staff, Local and State partners and community members 

Informs: Enlace Chicago Leadership team, Enlace Chicago Staff, Local and State partners and community members 

Collaborate and communicate with: Department Program Directors and Managers, Director of Evaluation, Director of Finance and Operations, Director of  Development  

Status: Full-time 

Duties and Responsibilities:  

• Works closely with the Co-Executive Directors, Directors, and Enlace Staff to align with the Quality of Life efforts throughout the organization. 
• Collaborates with Enlace’s Evaluation Department to inform, guide and make decisions about research and relevant data collection and analysis that will allow Enlace’s Organizing and  Advocacy team, and community members to identify strategies to support Enlace’s efforts. 
• Supervises the Immigration and Advocacy team members, which includes providing direction, holding regular check-ins and reflection sessions, overseeing work plans, and ensuring  completion of yearly evaluations.  
• Manage weekly legal clinic services in partnership with Beyond Legal Aid and Enlace staff. 
• Explore new partnership opportunities to expand legal clinic options for Little Village residents and funding opportunities for the Immigration and Advocacy team. 
• Ensure the clinic is screening potential clients for legal clinic eligibility and provide referrals if  necessary.
• Ensure Enlace is holistically supporting clients by connecting them to internal and external  resources to meet a broader range of needs aside from their presenting legal need.
• Ensure Enlace is serving as general liaison between clients and Beyond Legal Aid attorneys and  support staff. 
• Understanding of the immigration system, affirmative applications and defensive proceedings and comfortable collaborating with attorneys on levels of service for community members. 
• In collaboration with the Deputy Director of Programs manages grants and budgets, with the  support of the Director of Finance, Development team, Director of Evaluation and Co-Executive Directors. 
• Directly supports reporting and compliance of Immigration and Organizing work and grant  requirements. 
• Other administrative tasks as assigned. 

Requirements/Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant area of study from an accredited four-year college or university required.  
• 6+ years of experience/passion for data analysis, research, grant writing and programming experience. 
• Experience managing a team of diverse professionals. 
•  Knowledge and experience of participatory community approaches and frameworks.
• Understanding of community organizing and advocacy. 
• Strong understanding and passion for issues of equity in immigration.  
• Fully bilingual in English and Spanish.  
• Experience working with Latinx communities. 
• Experience and comfort in facilitating meetings and presenting to large multi sector audiences.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Excellent critical thinking and analytical skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and work in collaborative fashion. 

Working Conditions/Demands: Extensive local travel involved. Ability to transport 15-20 pounds of outreach material. Ability to work flexible hours occasionally on evenings and weekends. 

COMPENSATION: Salary range is between 58,000 to 62,000 annual salary, commensurate with experience; comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, life, and short and long-term disability insurances, 403b retirement options, and  generous paid time off. 

Enlace Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. 

Deadline for Submission: Open until filled.