IRAP is seeking to hire a US-licensed Staff Attorney to provide direct legal services to refugees and displaced persons as part of the IRAP Jordan legal department located in Amman, Jordan. The Staff Attorney will manage a full caseload of in-house and pro bono cases. In addition to casework, the Staff Attorney will screen potential clients; review intake interviews; and participate in training, representational, and other activities as needed. The Staff Attorney will work closely with the entire team at IRAP Jordan and will report to the Supervising Attorney. This is an exciting opportunity for individuals interested in refugee rights, human rights, immigration, and international law to be part of a growing agency that impacts the lives of refugees and other displaced people.
Responsibilities
Counsel and directly represent clients in a variety of case types including:
Resettlement referral submissions to UNHCR;
Referral submissions to the US Refugee Admissions Program;
Family reunification cases to the United States, European countries, and other countries of resettlement (with a focus on family reunification to the US);
Interview preparation for resettlement-related and refugee status determination interviews; and other global pathways for the protection and resettlement of refugees, stateless persons. and displaced persons, such as humanitarian or asylum visa submission, or education-based relocation pathways.
Monitor developments in law and policy as it relates to current and potential pathways for our clients.
Manage and mentor pro bono legal teams from U.S., Canadian, and European law firms who are representing IRAP clients based in Jordan by conducting training, reviewing legal submissions, providing legal advice, and providing other assistance as needed.
Screen potential clients, review intake interviews, and monitor closed case requests for assistance to determine whether legal assistance can be provided.
Work alongside, train, and mentor volunteers, interns, and students. This includes assisting with planning and hosting law school chapter trips as well as visits from donors and non-Jordan IRAP staff.
Periodically support other IRAP departments as needed including by collaborating with IRAP’s US Office, Policy Department, and/or Litigation Department on any current and future high-impact efforts and the Department to reform and improve government systems and policies.
Other duties as assigned.
Compensation
The annual full-time equivalent salary range for this position is $62,729 - $76,036, commensurate with experience.
Benefits
IRAP’s benefits vary across office locations, and IRAP seeks to offer equitable and generous benefits to all employees. IRAP Jordan’s benefits include:
* Fully paid family health insurance
* Extensive PTO (20 vacation days, 5 Paid Time Off, and 18 holidays)
* Office closure December 25-January 1
* Comprehensive leave time for sickness per Jordanian Labor Law
* Disability and parenting (4 months of parental leave)
* Generous opportunities for professional development
* A wellness reimbursement twice per year
Qualifications
Law degree and active admission to practice law in a U.S. jurisdiction required.
Minimum two years of experience post-US bar admission required.
Experience providing direct legal services to immigrant, refugee, and/or displaced communities is preferred.
Sound knowledge of U.S. law regarding refugees, asylees, and/or human rights is preferred.
Experience with US family reunification immigration cases is preferred.
Sensitive to client empowerment and working with clients of all backgrounds, including LGBTI clients, survivors of trauma, and other vulnerable populations.
Excellent oral and written English proficiency is required. Arabic proficiency preferred, but not required. Excellent skills in other languages are a plus, but are not required.
Experience working internationally in a multinational work environment is preferred.
Experience working with community-based and NGO partners is preferred.
Ability to multitask, manage a high-volume workload, and be flexible in a fast-paced and high-pressure work environment.
Highly organized and motivated with strong research, writing, and analytical skills.
Strong interpersonal and communications skills and the ability to understand and handle sensitive and confidential information.
Personal or professional interest in the MENA region.
Willingness to relocate to Amman, Jordan is required. A two-year commitment is preferred.
The International Refugee Assistance Project (“IRAP”) is a dynamic and growing legal and policy advocacy organization that works to develop and enforce a system of legal and human rights for refugees and displaced people around the world. We are the leading organization providing free and comprehensive legal services to people in need of a safe place to live and a safe way to get there.
IRAP operates offices in the U.S. (New York City, Washington, D.C.), Jordan (Amman), Lebanon (Beirut), and Germany (Berlin). Our legal teams work closely with a corps of pro bono lawyers from leading law firms and multi-national corporations, and law students who have created IRAP chapters across the United States and Canada. Through this work, we aim to assist refugees and other displaced people to find safe passage and to transform the landscape of refugee rights in the U.S. and internationally. IRAP has over 80 full-time staff members. We are a nimble organization staffed by an innovative and collaborative team that is committed to high standards of quality and close partnerships with our clients, peers, and colleagues.
