Back Jordan Staff Attorney

About IRAP
The International Refugee Assistance Project (“IRAP”) is a dynamic and growing legal, policy, and 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 that provides free and comprehensive legal services to people we serve through registration, protection, and resettlement processes.

IRAP operates offices in the U.S. (New York City), Jordan (Amman), and Lebanon (Beirut). Our legal services are supplemented by a corps of pro bono lawyers from leading U.S. and international law firms and multinational 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 50 full-time staff, the majority of whom are based in the New York City office, with others working in field offices in Jordan and Lebanon or remotely. 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.

IRAP’s legal department includes over 25 staff who provide individual legal assistance to refugees and other displaced people around the world. Since IRAP’s establishment, we have helped to resettle more than 3,800 individuals to 18 countries.
The IRAP Jordan Office is located in the capital city of Amman. Our team consists of a Program and Operations Director, Program and Operations Assistant, Supervising Attorney, two Staff Attorneys, Volunteer Coordinator, and two Caseworkers. Our work is centered on providing remote and in-person legal assistance on refugee resettlement and family reunification cases.

Opportunity
The Staff Attorney will work closely with the entire team at IRAP Jordan and report to the Supervising Attorney. Staff Attorneys at IRAP Jordan manage a full caseload of in house and pro bono cases with an eye towards adherence to IRAP policies and procedures and ensuring programmatic standards and criteria are met. Staff Attorneys also review pre-screenings, screenings, and intakes to determine if refugee applicants can be assisted and may also participate in training, representational, and other activities as needed.

Responsibilities

• Directly represent refugees by sending family reunification petitions to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), resettlement and protection referrals to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and Requests for Review of U.S. Refugee Admissions Program denials to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
• Advise and prepare refugees for resettlement and refugee status determination interviews.
• Review pre-screenings, screenings, and intakes of potential clients to determine whether legal assistance can be provided.
• In conjunction with the Volunteer Coordinator, engage with intake and screening volunteers to identify refugee applicants who can benefit from IRAP services.
• Provide trainings to incoming staff, interns, and volunteers.
• Supervise and provide guidance to pro bono legal teams based at US, Canadian, and European law firms who have IRAP clients based in Jordan.
• Attend working groups and humanitarian sector meetings alongside other organizations engaged in refugee protection as needed.
• Actively assist with planning and hosting two annual law school chapter trips as well as visits from donors and non-Jordan IRAP staff.
• Periodically support other branches of IRAP as needed with an eye towards providing information about the Jordan and MENA context. Examples include identifying potential plaintiffs for the Litigation Team or providing compelling client stories to the Communications Team.

Location
This is a full-time position based in the IRAP- Jordan office in Amman, Jordan.

Qualifications

• Law degree
• Admission to practice law in any US jurisdiction
• Sensitive to client empowerment and to working with clients of all backgrounds, including LGBTI clients, survivors of trauma, and other vulnerable populations.

• At least one of the following:

  • Fluency in Arabic or
  • Demonstrated personal or professional interest in the MENA region or
  • 2-3 years of relevant experience working with refugees and displaced people
• Two year commitment preferred
• Flexible in a fast-paced and high-pressure work environment
• Highly organized and motivated
• Able to multitask and manage a high volume workload
• Excellent time management skills
• Strong research, writing, and analytical skills