Legal Officer – Legal Counseling

Diálogo Intercultural México A.C (DIME) is a humanitarian, neutral, secular, and non-profit civil society organization in Mexico that promotes intercultural dialogue to contribute to an equitable, diverse, and harmonious future, where each individual can develop their full potential. DIME addresses the challenge of forced migration through multi-sectoral programs that mobilize university communities to catalyze their capacities and achieve their goals. DIME forges partnerships with higher education institutions, international agencies, civil society, and the private sector. Since 2015, DIME has experience in the reception and integration of refugees into the higher education system in Mexico.

The United States Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), established in 1911, is an international non-governmental non-profit organization dedicated to addressing the needs and rights of refugees and immigrants. USCRI, in collaboration with its affiliates, provides legal, social, and health services to refugees, unaccompanied migrant children, trafficking survivors, and other immigrants in the 50 states, El Salvador, Honduras, Kenya, and Mexico. USCRI advocates for the rights of refugees and immigrants both nationally and globally, helping to drive policies, practices, and laws.

In 2021, in the city of Tijuana, DIME, together with USCRI, established the U.S. Mexico Border Program (USMBP), which, in partnership with higher education institutions, coordinates and trains authorities and other relevant actors on migration issues. It also provides legal advice and representation to people in mobility contexts to ensure their rights and safe migration at the Mexico – United States border.

The person in charge of this position will be responsible for co-implementing the legal strategy of the USMBP through its legal representation and advice program for people in mobility contexts in the state of Baja California. As well as updating and implementing the permanent legal information campaign that the USMBP provides in a network of shelters in the city of Tijuana.

Main functions and responsibilities:

• Direct attention to the population (answering calls, WhatsApp messages, population at the door).
• Provide legal advice regarding individuals in any mobility context, whether asylum seekers, refugees, or nationals located in the city of Tijuana.
• Legal representation before the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance of USMBP clients (application for refugee status recognition, challenge for non-allocation of eligibility interview, negative resolution of refugee status recognition, etc.).
• Legal representation before the National Institute of Migration of USMBP clients (migration regularization, change of stay condition, defense of a human rights violation such as illegal deprivation of liberty, non-admission to process a request, etc.).
• Conduct presentations and informational workshops in shelters and accommodation spaces for people in mobility contexts located in the city of Tijuana regarding legal alternatives and resources.
• Legal support to other areas of the organization for the preparation and review of contracts and other administrative procedures.
• Drafting of periodic reports, minutes, and other relevant documents.
• Responsible for office administrative activities (travel expense reports, purchase requests, etc.).
• Monitoring of student hours log.
• Continuous review of control instruments and population assistance statistics.
• In charge of office management in the absence of the legal coordinator.

Education and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in law (indispensable title).
• Minimum of 2 years of experience working in counseling and representation for people in mobility contexts in Mexico.
• Professional license registered in federal judicial power.
• Previous experience in community work and/or working with vulnerable populations. Knowledge of the American asylum system is desirable.

Languages:

• Proficiency in Spanish.
• Knowledge of English at B2 level or higher.
• French, Creole, or Portuguese will be considered an advantage.

Competencies:

• Teamwork
• Transparency and accountability
• Good time management
• Assertive communication
• Sensitivity to other cultures

Computer software tools:

• Use of Microsoft Office suite
• Use of Google suite

Activity evaluation:

• Performance evaluations implemented by the Human Resources department
• Project reports
• Evaluations deemed relevant by the coordinator

Employment offer conditions

• Schedule: Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Initial three-month trial period.
• 4 weeks of vacation plus official days off per year worked.