Legal Service Coordinator, Special Projects Temporary
Human Rights First See More Job Openings by This Employer
Job Description
PURPOSE OF THE JOB:
| Job Title: | Temporary Legal Services Coordinator, Special Projects | Reporting Office: | Washington, DC, New York, or Los Angeles, or Remote |
| Department: | Refugee Representation | Job Classification: | Fulltime; Exempt |
| Supervisor: | Managing Attorney, Special Projects | Union Classification: | Non-Union |
| Accountable To: | Managing Attorney, Special Projects | Last Updated: | 07-11-2025 |
| Expected Start Date: | 9-29-2025 | Expected End Date: | 02-27-2026 |
The Temporary Legal Services Coordinator for the Project: Afghan Legal Assistance (PALA) Special Projects Team will work as part of Human Rights First’s larger Refugee Representation team to respond to the legal representation needs of the Afghan refugee population.
The PALA Special Projects team within Human Rights First coordinates, with partner organizations, the legal representation efforts for Afghan refugee arrivals. We help connect individual asylum seekers with pro bono attorneys around the country. Human Rights First provides limited scope and pro se assistance to Afghans through our legal clinics, and we accept a smaller number of Afghan asylum seekers into our program for full scope direct representation or placement with our pro bono partners.
The Legal Services Coordinator will work closely with our Afghan asylum-seeking clients, and inhouse and volunteer attorneys during the clients’ immigration cases. The Legal Services Coordinator will coordinate and conduct initial screenings and interviews with asylum seekers seeking legal representation; handle the administrative details of our asylum legal representation work, including scheduling and case management; assist and support in our pro se clinic programs; coordinate with referral agencies (refugee resettlement agencies, law firms, and legal service providers); and assist with development, outreach and advocacy goals related to asylum and refugee protection.
This position is a temporary position, not to exceed one-year.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Client Interviews, Case Placement, and Case Management
- Conduct client outreach, supporting in-person and virtual client information sessions, and maintaining other forms of regular communication with special projects client population;
- Assist in responding to inquiries and requests for assistance from asylum seekers, including scheduling, coordinating, and conducting initial screening interviews;
- Perform in-depth, detailed interviews with potential clients, who are often victims of torture and human rights abuses, to ascertain their eligibility for asylum and representation through our program; and conduct related country conditions research;
- Assist in placing accepted cases with appropriate volunteer attorneys;
- Communicate in a responsive and efficient manner with volunteer attorneys, other human rights organizations, and the public; and assist in the provision of support for volunteer attorneys;
- Contact volunteer attorneys and clients to obtain updates on cases;
- Maintain and organize electronic and hard copy files, correspondence, and publications;
- Coordinate the case closure process; and
- Serve as liaison among volunteer attorneys, clients, and in-house Refugee Representation team staff, as needed.
Pro Se Clinics and Workshops
- Identify clients for Human Rights First virtual/in-person pro se clinics and oversee relevant client outreach and document collection to ensure eligibility;
- Organize, coordinate, and develop materials for legal trainings, pro se clinics, and other events;
- Coordinate with clients, interpreters, and volunteers assisting with pro se clinics, assign responsibilities and provide regular feedback to their work;
- Assist in execution of virtual and in-person pro se clinics, answer questions, troubleshoot, and travel to physical pro se clinic sites, where necessary;
- Lead and support workshops and presentations that provide asylum seekers with legal information about the asylum process;
- Create follow-up materials for clients to answer questions and provide clear guidance on next steps; and
- Conduct all necessary follow-up communications to ensure accurate data collection and feedback.
General Support to Refugee Representation Team
- Coordinating meetings and agendas; and providing general administrative and case support to the Refugee Representation team as needed.
- Support organizational outreach, development, and advocacy objectives, including assistance with web materials, written materials, coalition-building, newsletters, and advocacy;
- Assist with recruiting, training, and supervision of non-legal interns, ensuring that these volunteers are meaningfully engaged;
- Assist with grant reporting and maintenance of relevant data;
- Contribute to efforts to develop training materials for volunteer attorneys, including the online Pro Bono Attorney Library, and other manuals, memoranda, videos, or other training media;
- Occasional domestic travel required; and
- Other duties as requested based on department and/or organizational need.
- A Bachelor’s degree and at least one year of post-college work experience in a related field;
- Experience representing Afghan OAW/OAR humanitarian parolees, Special Immigrant Visa applicants, and Afghan refugee populations;
- Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication, with advanced research and analytical skills;
- Superb organizational skills, including the ability to manage numerous tasks simultaneously, work under pressure, and meet deadlines;
- Capacity to prioritize duties, and work independently while functioning as a member of a team and across offices;
- Ability to communicate patiently, respectfully and empathically with individuals from a variety of backgrounds;
- Excellent computer skills, including knowledge of database, word processing, and spreadsheet applications;
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively, particularly in a collegial, team-based approach to work;
- Ability to travel regionally by car or public transportation when possible and ability to travel to other office areas or locations where Human Rights First serves clients, when necessary (travel costs reimbursed); and
- Fluency in Dari and Pashto is required.
Human Rights First is committed to recruiting, retaining, and developing staff from a diversity of backgrounds, including members of racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, people of all nationalities, and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. We believe that a diverse staff and an inclusive work environment that welcomes a range of perspectives make us stronger and more effective.
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