Pro Bono Project Coordinator- Immigrant Legal Defense Project-

National Immigrant Justice Center

Pro Bono Project Coordinator, Immigrant Legal Defense Project

Program Description:

The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) advances human rights and due process for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers through direct legal services, impact litigation, advocacy and public education. Headquartered in Chicago with offices in Washington, DC, Indiana and San Diego, NIJC’s team of more than 100 attorneys, paralegals and professionals, along with 2,000 pro bono attorneys, is at the forefront of immigration reform.

Summary:

The Pro Bono Project Coordinator will work with diverse partners to ensure immigrant survivors of domestic violence and other crimes have access to legal representation. The objectives of the project are to:

1) coordinate effective representation of vulnerable immigrant populations;

2) increase the broad-based impact of NIJC’s legal services program by coordinating regular pro bono trainings, case referrals, and clinic opportunities;

3) receive and review case referrals before assigning cases to pro bono partners;

4) coordinate direct pro bono placements, develop materials and trainings for potential pro bono partners and staff members, and coordinate clinics with pro bono partners;

5) provide technical assistance to pro bono partners while they are working on cases

The Coordinator will be responsible for serving as the NIJC representative with pro bono partners, NIJC staff, law students, and other immigrant and human rights organizations to ensure access to justice for immigrants. The Coordinator ensures that pro bono partners receive adequate support and training and monitors these placements from initial assignment to the final adjudication of the case. Individual accountabilities and work volume will be established through the development of annual Success Objectives, within the framework outlined below.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

· Work with Pro Bono Project Paralegal to ensure careful tracking of all pro bono case referrals

· Review and place case referrals with pro bono partners

· Maintain case files for all pro bono matters, including ensuring thoroughness and accuracy of reporting in case management database

· Contribute to the publication and distribution of NIJC’s pro bono training materials and online educational webinars

· Serve as the external representative to pro bono partners and work with Pro Bono Project Manager to identify new partners and expand the project

· Contribute to NIJC’s pro bono outreach at pro bono events

· Conduct a biannual audit of pending pro bono matters in collaboration with supervisor

· Ensure pro bono partners have access to resources needed for effective representation, including trauma-informed practices

· Conduct intake under the supervision of an attorney or DOJ accredited representative

· Prepare and participate in clinics and trainings for staff and pro bono partners, both in person and online

· Maintain current knowledge of immigration policies, procedures, and internal structures

· Prepare applications, legal arguments, evidence, and affidavits for case filings to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and U.S. Department of State

· Performs other job-related duties as assigned

Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· Education and/or Experience: Bachelor's degree required. Masters' degree preferred. Minimum of two years of experience in human rights field, legal and/or communications work required. May give credit towards years of experience if attained a degree higher than a Bachelor's Degree.

· Language Skills: Fluency in English and Spanish is required. Ability to communicate articulately with internal and external audiences. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated competency in public speaking and strong interpersonal skills required.

· Computer Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Outlook/Exchange; Windows operating systems; and other software routinely used by Heartland Alliance.

· Other Skills: Knowledge of: principles and practices of communications and public information techniques through different mediums, including print, television, and internet; writing and editing techniques for a variety of audiences.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Heartland Alliance makes all hiring and employment decisions, and operates all programs, services, and functions without regard to race, receipt of an order of protection, creed, color, age, gender, gender identity, marital or parental status, religion, ancestry, national origin, amnesty, physical or mental disability, protected veterans status, genetic information, sexual orientation, immigrant status, political affiliation or belief, use of FMLA, VESSA, military, and family military rights, ex-offender status (depending on the offense and position to be filled), unfavorable military discharge, membership in an organization whose primary purpose is the protection of civil rights or improvement of living conditions and human relations, height, weight, or HIV infection, in accord with the organization's AIDS Policy Statement of September 1987