Jordan: Fellowship Sponsorship

About IRAP

The International Refugee Assistance Project (“IRAP”) is the first organization to provide free and comprehensive legal representation to refugees through the registration, protection, and resettlement processes. We are 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 persons around the world.

IRAP operates offices in New York, Jordan, and Lebanon. Our legal services are supplemented by a corps of pro bono lawyers from leading U.S. and international law firms and multi-national corporations, and law students who have created IRAP chapters at 28 universities in the United States and Canada.

IRAP believes in action, accountability, innovation, and candor. We are nimble, collaborative, and nonpartisan, and believe in the power of individuals to change their own circumstances. IRAP was founded in 2008 by a group of Yale Law students with a vision to change the status quo of global refugee processing in order to assist the most vulnerable refugees.

Opportunity

IRAP is seeking to sponsor law students or recent graduates for public interest fellowships beginning in Fall 2018. Sponsorship would be available in New York City for Skadden, Equal Justice Works, and other domestic fellowships, as well as in Amman or Beirut for Fulbright and other international fellowships. This is an exciting opportunity for individuals interested in refugee, human rights, immigration, and international law to make a difference in the lives of those at-risk, and to be part of a growing agency. The position reports to the Senior Legal Team.

Responsibilities

• Conduct intake interviews with potential refugee clients and draft intake reports in English as part of IRAP’s refugee case screening process

• Assist with the legal representation of refugees in UNHCR refugee status determination (RSD) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) refugee interviews and proceedings

• Research and write documents in support of refugee cases, litigation efforts, and/or policy initiatives

• Train interns, volunteer attorneys, and law students on refugee, international, and human rights law and related topics

• Manage interns, volunteer attorneys, and law students working on IRAP intakes and cases

• Assist with ongoing policy and litigation efforts to further develop a system of individual representation in the areas of U.S. and international refugee law

• Conduct outreach to NGOs and develop new partnerships with local and international NGOs and community-based organizations to identify opportunities for collaboration

• Perform research and responsibilities related to proposed fellowship project

• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• JD anticipated May 2018 or recent law graduate

• Strong legal research, writing and analytical skills

• Experience working with refugees or other vulnerable individuals,​ including LGBTI individuals, victims of sexual and/or gender based violence, and victims of torture and serious trauma

• Prior policy experience, such as government or legislative work, legislative advocacy, or media relations, is a plus

• Knowledge of refugee law and/or processing, human rights, and international law, including former employment and/or internships, is a plus

• Must be highly organized and motivated, able to multi-task, manage a high volume workload, a strong team-player, and have excellent time management skills

• Comfortable working with diverse populations

• Fluency in oral and written English; other languages preferable, especially Arabic, Somali, Farsi, Dari, Pashto, and Kurdish

• Microsoft Suite

Please submit a cover letter, resume, short writing sample (3-5 pages), and list of three references using the application form available here.

IRAP is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from diverse candidates. IRAP offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits including health and retirement plans, a flexible work schedule, and vacation/sick leave.