Post Asylee/Refugee Benefits Pro Bono Coordinator, NIJC

About NIJC

The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) provides direct legal services to, and advocates for, immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers through policy reform, impact litigation, and public education. Since its founding more than three decades ago, NIJC has been unique in blending individual client advocacy with broad-based systemic change. Headquartered in Chicago with offices in Washington, DC, Indiana, and San Diego, NIJC's team of 100+ attorneys, paralegals and professionals, along with 2,000 pro bono attorneys, is at the forefront of immigration reform.

Job Summary:

The Immigration Legal Defense Team within NIJC seeks a Pro Bono Project Coordinator for Post Asylee/Refugee Benefits. This position will work with diverse partners to ensure asylees, refugees, and their family members have access to legal representation in their applications for permanent residence and family petitions. The coordinator will be responsible for serving as the NIJC representative with pro bono partners, NIJC staff, law students, and other immigrant and human rights organizations to ensure access to justice for immigrants.The coordinator ensures that pro bono partners receive adequate support and training and monitors these placements from initial assignment to the final adjudication of the case.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate effective representation of vulnerable immigrant populations.
• Increase the broad-based impact of NIJC's legal services program by coordinating regularpro bonotrainings, case referrals, and clinic opportunities. Develop materials and training for potential pro bono partners and staff members, and direct pro bono placements on a limited basis.
• Receive and review case referrals before assigning cases to pro bono partners.
• Provide technical assistance to pro bono partners while they are working on cases.
• Collaborate with Pro Bono Project Paralegal to ensure careful tracking of all pro bono case referrals
• Maintain case files for all pro bono matters, including ensuring thoroughness and accuracy of reporting in case management database
• Contribute to the publication and distribution of NIJC's pro bono training materials and online educational webinars
• Serve as the external representative to pro bono partners and work with Pro Bono Project Manager to identify new partners and expand the project
• Contribute to NIJC's pro bono outreach at pro bono events
• Conduct a biannual audit of pending pro bono matters in collaboration with supervisor
• Ensure pro bono partners have access to resources needed for effective representation, including trauma-informed practices
• Coordinate with external partners for intake and legal services to refugees and asylees
• Conduct intake under the supervision of an attorney or DOJ accredited representative
• Prepare and participate in clinics and trainings for staff and pro bono partners, both in person and online
• Maintain current knowledge of immigration policies, procedures, and internal structures
• Prepare applications, legal arguments, evidence, and affidavits for case filings to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and U.S. Department of State
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned

Competencies:

• Legal Skills: Experience analyzing the impact of laws on vulnerable populations and advocating for improved laws and policies. Strong legal research and writing skills. Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, work independently, and collaborate effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Technology Knowledge/Skills : Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Qualifications:

• Education and/or Experience: Bachelor's degree required. Minimum of one year of experience in the human rights field, legal and/or communications work required. May give credit towards years of experience if attained a degree higher than a bachelor's degree.
• Language Skills: This position requires regular communication with clients in Spanish. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written Spanish.
• Other Requirements: Excellent writing, editing, organizational, and computer skills. Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

How to Apply: Please include the following

• Your resume
• A compelling cover letter, including the following:
• Why you are interested in this specific role and in working for NIJC
• How your unique skills and experience will enable you to make a significant impact on our team and help us achieve our mission.
• A specific, brief example of a project or accomplishment from your past that best demonstrates your relevant qualifications.
• Please contact [email protected] if you encounter any issues with your application

Physical Abilities Statement

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time
• The person in this position occasionally needs to move about the inside of the office to access filing cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly operations a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine.

It is the policy of NIJC not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.