Staff Attorney, Technical Assistance

Overview

Church World Service (CWS) is a not-for-profit, faith-based organization transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable solutions to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster. CWS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, genetic information, age, disability, or veteran status in employment or in the provision of services.

The CWS local Offices work with refugees and immigrants to provide services to communities in need. We are a highly motivated, mission-driven team eager to create a welcoming place for all neighbors. CWS is a fun and supportive organization, with competitive salary and benefits.

About CWS

Imagine waking up every morning with the chance to change someone's life. Imagine knowing your efforts will benefit both your career and our neighbors around the world. At CWS, our team knows they are making a difference every day. Whether you're in our U.S.-based offices supporting refugees, asylees or unaccompanied children ... implementing hygiene initiatives in Cambodia or rebuilding projects in Central America ... or even connecting remotely from your home on fundraising campaigns, grant reports, or critical communications - you have the opportunity to work towards a world where everyone has food, a voice and a safe place to call home.

Purpose

CWS seeks a Staff Attorney to provide technical assistance in CWS’s programs, including ORR eligible populations such as refugees, Cuban/Haitian entrants, and humanitarian parolees. The Staff Attorney assumes a strategic role and supports programs teams to ensure that Legal guidelines and mechanisms are effectively and systematically considered and applied to all relevant dimensions of CWS programming. This position reports to the Director of Legal Immigration Services and is responsible for providing technical guidance to various teams in a goal-oriented manner that delivers excellent results and expands CWS’s Legal work. The incumbent is responsible for providing technical assistance and materials generation to CWS’s network of local and affiliates offices on a wide range of legal services, including but not limited to asylum, TPS, EADs, removal proceedings, family petitions, know your rights, and legal orientations.

The position is remote and is required to travel to CWS or affiliate offices when deemed necessary.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities

• Provide technical assistance and materials generation to CWS’s network of local and affiliates offices regarding a wide range of legal services, including but not limited to asylum, TPS, EADs, removal proceedings, family petitions, know your rights, and legal orientations. Provide technical assistance and materials generation on any other allowable immigration related topics.
• Stay abreast of changes in immigration law and policy and serve as a subject-matter expert and source of information and analysis of immigration legal services issues and policies within CWS’ US programs portfolio
• Contribute to the development and strengthening of core Legal Services minimum standards, toolkits, and guidelines to ensure the overall quality of service provision related to eligible ORR populations.
• Conduct coaching, mentoring, training to local CWS network and affiliates on Legal Services principles. Respond to technical legal questions, including case related questions.
• Work with Director of Asylum and Immigration Legal Services and Associate Director of Legal Services to develop Legal Services tools and standards for CWS, with accompanying common approaches, quality indicators, consolidated agency guidelines, program manuals and training curriculum packages.
• Provide technical assistance into new business development ventures including proposal development and reporting processes to expand CWS’ programs.
• Conduct regular meetings with CWS HQ program leads to stay informed on population-specific legal services trends and issues across the network. Coordinate with CWS program leads on the development of TA materials based on this.
• Develop effective training models to provide necessary training and support.
• Respond to technical legal questions, including case related questions.
• Collect and report data. Provide activity reports to the Director of Immigration Legal Services. Prepare and submit monthly, trimester and/or semi-annual reports to funders and appropriate agencies. Monitor program performance and ensure that program meets performance goals set by funding source contracts.
• Represent CWS at community-based organization meetings and various Task Force meetings related to immigration issues.
• Promote the CWS legal program through various media including newspaper, radio and television. Coordinate and plan outreach activities to achieve program goals.
• Perform other related duties and special projects as requested.

Qualifications

Education:

• Law degree with specialization in immigration law. Admission to any state bar.

Experience:

• 3 years professional legal experience, with demonstrated ability to provide technical assistance and support.
• 1-2 years of demonstrated professional and practical experience working on immigration legal issues directly related to advising, assessing, designing, monitoring, managing, implementing, or evaluating Legal programs.
• A minimum of 1-2 years of direct field experience (international or domestic) in the application of Legal services for asylum seekers or refugees.
• Direct experience in designing, commissioning, and delivering training of technical competencies to different target groups.
• Ability to work with several different teams remotely.
• Ability to work on several different programs at the same time, as well as flexibility to manage competing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality written resources
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, and able to timely manage multiple projects at one time.
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a high degree of autonomy and independence.
• Strong interpersonal and diplomacy skills, including the ability to engage professionally with a range of partners.
• Must be willing to travel domestically for conferences, trainings, and program meetings.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment required.

Skills:

• Ability to speak a second language is ideal.
• Experience working with a wide range of legal practitioners.

Special Requirements

Special Requirements:

• Program requires background check

Benefits