National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC NFP) Managing Attorney, Asylum Project – National Immigrant Justice Center

Title of the Job: National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC NFP) Managing Attorney, Asylum Project

Location: Chicago, IL

Job Description: About NIJC: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 100 attorneys, paralegals and professionals, along with 2,000 pro bono attorneys, is at the forefront of immigration reform.Summary:The Managing Attorney reports to the Associate Director of Protection-Based Relief and is a member of the supervisory team. The Managing Attorney leads the team to ensure impact and responsiveness within the project. This role involves overseeing and directing the Project’s asylum work, addressing individual legal cases and systemic issues impacting populations. The Managing Attorney supervises the team and ensures the delivery of quality legal services. This role also contributes to the work of the litigation and policy teams through the identification of issues and reform strategies. Supervisory responsibilities include collaborating with the team to develop and achieve success objectives. Individual accountabilities and work volume will be established through the development of annual Success Objectives within the framework outlined below.Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaborates with the Associate Director and supervisory team to ensure project direction is advancing its impact, considering both external and internal realities.
• Manages at least one project within the NIJC program, ensuring compliance with deliverables.
• Works with the supervisory team to ensure staff development on immigration issues and the implementation of best practices in the delivery of legal services.
• Provides direct supervision and support to supervisors, staff, interns, and volunteers as assigned.
• Evaluates supervisees’ objectives with actual outcomes quarterly and provides quarterly reports.
• Works with NIJC staff to identify issues appropriate for advocacy and federal litigation.
• Gathers data, identifies trends, and analyzes emerging issues. Provides recommendations to inform strategic decisions and team adjustments.
• Performs case audits to evaluate cases in light of current law and ensures accurate data entry, as required by program needs and funding requirements.
• Ensures timely responses to all inquiries, including requests for referrals, community outreach, and materials related to the projects.
• Provides limited direct representation to individuals in removal proceedings and in administrative applications for immigration relief.
• Represents NIJC in immigration legal services and provides training and outreach to community-based organizations, colleague agencies, elected officials, and national networks working on immigration.
• Assists in the development and implementation of training for staff, pro bono attorneys and volunteers, community organizations, and immigration officers on issues related to projects.
• Assists in recruiting, training, and supporting pro bono attorneys.
• Participates in management and substantive legal training and conferences.
• Assists in drafting proposals and reports for funders, as well as monthly reports.
• In coordination with the Associate Director, ensures compliance with funder reporting requirements.
• Exhibits strong leadership, including the ability to build and maintain productive relationships with colleagues within and outside of the organization.
• Identifies and initiates potential coalitions and partnerships.
• Adapts productively to change and handles other essential duties as assigned

Qualifications:To perform this role successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. * Education and/or Experience: Juris Doctorate; law license; minimum of five years of experience in immigration law and/or refugee law; and a minimum of one year of supervisory experience. Must have knowledge of immigration law, policies, and practices and their intersection with criminal law. Experience in immigration court and preferably in state and federal court is required.

• Other Skills: Experience analyzing the impact of laws on vulnerable populations and advocating for improved laws and policies. Strong legal research, writing, and argumentation skills. Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, work independently, and collaborate effectively in a fast-paced environment.

• Language Skills: Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to read, speak, and write in at least one non-English language. Spanish fluency is required; speakers of additional languages are encouraged to apply. Demonstrated competency in public speaking and strong interpersonal skills are required.

• Technology Knowledge/Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

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

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for 50% of the time.
• This position occasionally requires moving about the inside of the office to access filing cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine.

Equal Opportunity Employment:It is the policy of NIJC not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee based on age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status.By submitting your application, you acknowledge and consent to undergo a comprehensive background check as part of the employment process. This background check will be conducted in compliance with applicable state and federal laws.

Company Name: National Immigrant Justice Center

Salary: $82500 – 97000 per year

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