Legal Justice Program Manager

Legal Justice Program Manager

Organization Overview:

Sakhi for South Asian Survivors exists to represent the South Asian and Indo Caribbean diaspora in a survivor-led movement for gender-justice and to honor the collective and inherent power of all survivors of violence. Sakhi is committed to serving survivors through a combination of efforts including—but not limited to—direct services, advocacy and organizing, technical assistance, and community outreach.

Sakhi serves survivors from the South Asian and Indo-Caribbean diaspora who trace their backgrounds to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the West Indies, and Africa. Members of our community come from diverse backgrounds including age range, gender, religion, ethnic origin, economic and educational background, language spoken, and immigration status. We work to represent, inform, actively engage, and mobilize the South Asian and Indo-Caribbean community in an intersectional, intergenerational survivor-led movement for gender justice.

At Sakhi we offer a unique work environment that is collaborative, fun, and committed to social justice. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community, persons of color and bilingual/bicultural applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. At Sakhi, we have a clear vision: to be the place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come, to stay and do their best work. Sakhi is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

About this role: 

Sakhi is seeking a full-time Manager of the Legal Justice Program. The Manager  will supervise the legal team and ensure the achievement of legal programmatic goals, including building a legal justice program, managing partnerships, overseeing client representation and actively tracking trends and data of the program to inform Sakhi’s advocacy initiatives. This position will temporarily report to the Associate Director of the Anti-Violence Program Team at the time of hiring and will then transition to be supervised by the Director of Programs.

 Position Responsibilities 

• Develop and launch Sakhi’s new Legal Justice Program (LJP)

• In partnership with the Associate Director of the Anti-Violence Program Team and the Director of Programs, develop and implement the vision of the Legal Justice Program including strategies, policies and procedures 

• Submit all documentation to the Office of Legal Access Programs within the Department of Justice for agency and staff accreditation  

• Build and create strategic pro-bono and low bono partnerships with existing and new institutions

• Provide culturally-appropriate, trauma-informed legal representation to survivors of gender-based violence in immigration matters, including assisting with filing VAWA petitions, U-Visa petitions, T-Visa petitions, pro se asylum applications, DACA renewals, naturalization, battered spouse waivers, lawful permanent residency, and applications for employment authorization

• Act as the primary liaison between external immigration attorneys and the Sakhi team

• Create, monitor, and actively assess quantitative and qualitative trends within the legal justice landscape to inform Sakhi’s advocacy and policy platform

• Ensure that the staff of the Legal Justice Program meet all legal requirements and have necessary certifications

• Provide assistance with family law and uncontested divorces for survivors who work with Sakhi 

• Compile data on and analyze legal services received by survivors who work with Sakhi, including interviewing community members  about their experiences with the New York State court system. This data will then inform any advocacy/policy changes which Sakhi pursues.  

• Learn about new developments in the legal field by reading professional literature, attending courses and seminars, and establishing and maintaining contact with other social service agencies

• Maintain confidentiality of survivor experiences and records at all times 

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage all aspects of Sakhi's Legal Justice Program, including providing supervision to the Department of Justice accredited representative 

• Ensure and encourage Legal Justice Program staff members to meet professional standards and goals

• Develop and maintain internal protocols as needed

• Work in partnership with other managers to uplift community voices and advance services 

Grant Management and Development 

• Maintain records of all survivor related work/activities through efficient data collection and notetaking

• Oversee accurate reports and draft narratives for grant reporting and ensure timely report submissions

• Ensure routine and comprehensive program evaluation

• Work closely with the Development Team to create work plans, attend site visits, and offer pertinent information as needed

Outreach, Training, and Advocacy  

• Oversee regular training for the Sakhi team as well as for survivors who work with Sakhi on relevant legal topics

• Provide training to judges and partner organizations on trauma-informed care and issues pertaining to survivors in the South Asian and Indo Caribbean  diaspora

• Represent Sakhi on relevant task forces, coalitions, and committees to voice trends of gender violence and mental health in South Asian  and Indo Caribbean communities

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree from an accredited law school

• 3-5 years of legal experience preferred, but not required

• Passion for social justice and alignment with Sakhi’s mission and core values

• Ability to effectively manage a team 

• Fluency in one or more South Asian, Indo-Caribbean languages preferred, but not required

• Competency in immigration case file systems such as LawLogix, INSZoom or LegalServe 

• Experience of working with survivors of trauma and/or gender-based violence 

• Strong attention to detail 

• Ability to work flexible hours including some evenings and weekends 

• Ability to work well under pressure and juggle multiple time-sensitive tasks 

Sakhi’s office hours are Monday - Friday, 10am-6pm. Some evenings and weekends will be required. Salary: $80,000, commensurate with experience. Sakhi offers a generous benefits package, including unlimited PTO, paid parental leave, and health/dental/vision insurance. Additionally, all full-time staff have access to clinical supervision.

Application Information

Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Ideal candidates will be available to start as soon as possible. Please complete the application via Sakhi’s Career Center, available on our website. You must submit a resume and cover letter with your application to be considered. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.