Senior Advisor, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

ABOUT US

UnidosUS (formerly NCLR) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that serves as the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization. Since 1968, we have challenged the social, economic, and political barriers that affect Latinos through our unique combination of expert research, advocacy, programs, and an Affiliate Network of more than 300 community-based organizations across the United States and Puerto Rico. We believe in an America where economic, political, and social progress is a reality for all Latinos, and we collaborate across communities to achieve it. For more information on UnidosUS, visit unidosus.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads and X.

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.

SUMMARY

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 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.

The Senior Advisor, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, is a senior subject-matter expert role that will support UnidosUS Protect, Defend & Advance (PD&A) campaign by providing expertise about issues involving the protection of civil rights and civil liberties of US citizens. The Senior Advisor is member of the institution-wide campaign team, a key advisor within the civil rights and civil liberties working group. The Senior Advisor will report to the primary lead within the civil rights and civil liberties working group. The Senior Advisor plays a key role in developing strategies and carrying out tactics that shed light on the erosion of civil rights and civil liberties in the U.S. In this role, the Senior Advisor serves as a subject-matter expert who translates complex legal and policy issues into clear, accurate guidance for policymakers, media, partners, and the broader public.

The advisor is expected to research and publish policy analyses and engage with government officials, lawmakers, stakeholders, funders, and may provide expert testimony for Congressional committees and serve as a spokesperson in media. The Senior Advisor will also play a key role in developing and advancing UnidosUS civil rights and civil liberties priorities in Congress and in select statehouses.

This is an exempt one-year term position expected to run through March 31, 2027.

Location: This position is hybrid, and will be based in Washington, DC. UnidosUS policy is to work onsite at least two days per week or as needed to fulfill the duties of the position.

Salary: $200,000-$220,000

Essential Functions:

Policy Analyses and Advocacy

• Working closely with the Campaign team, analyze legal developments and assist Co-Leads in high-priority analysis of cases before the Supreme Court and lower courts with implications for civil rights and civil liberties. 
• Develop and publish material that provides information, advice, and recommendations about policy, practice, regulations, in a range of areas to spotlight civil rights issues and advance Congressional oversight.
• Identify key priority areas for Congressional oversight and advise on tactics to spotlight problem areas and recommend necessary improvements in federal policy and practice.
• Monitor litigation on top civil rights/liberties issues including reviewing amicus briefs and support rapid response communications on court decisions.
• In collaboration with the Immigration campaign team, support research on Federal Tort Claims Act and Bivens actions.
• Translate complex civil rights and civil liberties issues into clear, public-facing policy guidance to inform media, partners, Affiliates, and public education efforts.
• Serve as an on-the-record expert during fast-moving developments, including litigation, DOJ actions, data privacy, and election-related civil liberties issues.
• Provide expert policy framing and analysis to support rapid response statements, background briefings, and public commentary, in coordination with the campaign and communications teams.
• Provide policy expertise and guidance on state-level civil rights, civil liberties, privacy, and voting rights issues, to support UnidosUS campaign priorities.

Coalition & External Engagement

• Establish, cultivate, and maintain influential relationships with key members of Congress, federal and state officials, stakeholders, coalition leaders, funders, and media partners, serving alongside the Co-Leads as a senior policy expert and representative of UnidosUS in national civil rights, privacy, and democracy coalitions.

Cross-Sectional Leadership

• In collaboration with the Campaign Co-Leads and resource development, support fundraising efforts for the Protect, Defend, & Advance Campaign.
• Support efforts to keep UnidosUS Board, Affiliates, partners, and staff informed about the civil rights and civil liberties campaign work.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
• Minimum of fifteen (15) years of in-depth experience engaging in federal level advocacy.
• Demonstrated experience publishing material, producing analyses, and other written forms of communication with the public and community-based organizations.
• Knowledge and demonstrated expertise in civil rights and civil liberties issues policies and practices.
• Experience working with Congress on policy reforms.
• Experience communicating priorities and responding to questions in public settings.
• Experience staffing principles and senior leadership in their engagement with Congress.
• Flexibility to accommodate Congressional calendar (session) and for occasional travel (up to 10%).Demonstrated experience with and knowledge of the Latino community.
• Demonstrated experience with and knowledge of the Latino community and Latino workforce trends.

Preferred Qualifications

• Seven (7) or more years of government experience.
• Experience preparing and delivering expert testimony or similar communications about issues and priorities.
• Experience working with Hispanic lawmakers.
• Experience serving as a spokesperson or expert voice on democracy, voting rights, or rule-of-law issues during election cycles or periods of heightened public attention.
• Bilingual ability (English and Spanish).

Skills and Abilities

• Steadfast commitment to UnidosUS mission, vision, and values: Excellence, Respeto, Accountability.
• Commitment to supporting and advancing the needs of the U.S. Latino community, Latino non-profit organizations, and the Latino market.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to read and synthesize policy analysis and advocacy materials quickly and summarize key ideas or talking points for diverse audiences.

Competencies

• Leadership--Exhibits 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 Thinking--Develops 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 Management--Develops project plans; Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Manages project team activities.
• Written Communication--Writes 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 Communication--Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
• Problem Solving--Identifies 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.
• Teamwork--Balances 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

• Coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Perform some repetitive motion activities.
• Sit for long periods of time.
• Frequently required to stand.
• Frequently required to walk.
• Frequently required to sit.
• Frequently required to utilize hand and finger dexterity.
• Frequently/Continually required to talk or hear.
• Occasionally required to lift/push light weights up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required for this job include [close vision, distance vision, peripheral, depth, and ability to adjust or focus].
• Utilize visual acuity to operate equipment, read technical information, and/or use a keyboard.
• The noise level in the work environment usually is quiet to moderately loud.

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.