Legal Assistant and Program Associate, Refugee Protection Program

Legal Assistant & Program Associate
Human Rights First
Washington, DC

Human Rights First works in the United States and abroad to create a secure and humane world by advancing justice, human dignity and respect for the rule of law. We support human rights activists who fight for basic freedoms and peaceful change at the local level; protect refugees in flight from persecution and repression; help build a strong international system of justice and accountability; and make sure human rights laws and principles are enforced in the United States and abroad.

The Refugee Protection Program seeks a Legal Assistant/Program Associate for the Washington, D.C. office to schedule, coordinate and conduct initial interviews with asylum seekers seeking legal representation; to work closely with pro bono attorneys handling cases of asylum seekers; to handle the complex administrative details of the asylum legal representation program; to assist with outreach and advocacy goals related to asylum and refugee protection; and to participate in all of those activities required to smoothly handle this complex process confidentially and competently. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE:

* Handling the administrative/clerical details of the program providing administrative support, including correspondence, memos, faxes, reports, appointments, file system development and maintenance, coordinating schedules, compiling and updating informational packets, composing case summaries, updating country condition research, and creating and maintaining computer databases
* Responding to inquiries and requests for assistance from asylum seekers, including scheduling, coordinating and conducting initial screening interviews
* Performing in-depth, detailed in-house interviews with potential clients, who are often victims of torture and human rights abuses
* Managing the timely and compassionate responses to potential clients; placing accepted cases with appropriate volunteer attorneys
* Communicating in a responsive and efficient manner with volunteer attorneys, other human rights organizations and the public; organizing legal trainings and assisting in the provision of support for volunteer attorneys;
* Plan and attend liaison meetings with government agencies and local non-governmental organizations
* Providing support with outreach and advocacy objectives, including assistance in drafting newsletters, web page maintenance, written materials, e-advocacy, and the development of advocacy and resource materials
* Assisting with the hiring, orientation and supervision of interns and assuring that these volunteers are used as quality resources for those seeking asylum.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS:

* Bachelor's degree and at least one year of post-college working experience in a related field
* Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication
* Superb organization skills, including the ability to manage numerous tasks simultaneously, work under pressure and meet unexpected deadlines
* Advanced-level proficiency and previous experience in a variety of computer software applications (MS Office - especially Internet Explorer, MS Word XP. Excel; Outlook), and database management
* The ability to exercise judgment and show initiative
* Fluency in French and/or Spanish required. Other languages welcome.

START DATE: THIS IS AN IMMEDIATE HIRE
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: July 25, 2008
SUBMISSIONS (Via E-mail):
Cover letter & Resume
Names and contact details for three (3) references

All applicants will be notified of our receipt of application; only selected applicants will be contacted for phone or in-person interviews. NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE. Please send cover letter and resume to:


Human Rights First
ATTN: HR-WDC Office Manager
E-mail: HumanResources@HumanRightsFirst.org

Find out more by visiting the organization's web site