Jordan Staff Attorney (US & Europe Law)

IRAP is seeking to hire a 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;
• Family reunification cases to European countries, North America, and other countries of resettlement (with a focus on family reunification to Germany);
• Asylum application submission as part of European family reunification cases;
• Drafting administrative appeals;
• 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 European 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.

Qualifications

• Graduate law degree (J.D., master’s of law, LLM, or equivalent) from a university in the European Union or the U.S. required.
• For attorneys with a law degree from the U.S. (J.D. or LLM), admission to practice law in a U.S. jurisdiction is also required.
• Minimum one year of experience working in immigration and/or refugee law required.
• Experience as a lawyer providing direct legal services to immigrant, refugee, and/or displaced communities is preferred.
• Experience with European refugee family reunification cases is preferred.
• Sound knowledge of European (and preferably German) legislative framework and jurisprudence regarding refugees and/or human rights is required.
• Sound knowledge of U.S. law regarding refugees and/or human rights 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. German and/or 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.
• Willingness to relocate to Amman, Jordan is required. A two-year commitment is preferred.

Location: This is a full-time role, and the chosen candidate will be required to be physically present at IRAP’s office in Amman, Jordan. Candidates willing to relocate are encouraged to apply.

Compensation

The annual full-time equivalent salary range for this position is $62,016- $75,171, 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
• Retirement options
• Extensive PTO (20 or more vacation days & 17 holidays)
• Comprehensive leave time for sickness
• Disability and parenting (4 months of parental leave)
• Reimbursement for work from home equipment
• Generous opportunities for professional development