Job Description

About KIND:

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is a global leader in the protection of unaccompanied refugee and migrant children. Launched in 2008, KIND champions a world in which every child’s rights and well-being are protected throughout their journey to safety. Since 2008, KIND has accepted over 23,000 referrals of children seeking legal representation in their immigration proceedings. KIND has welcomed more than 41,000 attendees to trainings since its founding, cultivating partnerships with over 670 law firms, corporate legal departments, law schools, and bar associations across the country.

KIND’s social services program ensures that migrant and refugee children – who have often endured trauma – receive counseling, educational support, medical care and other comprehensive services.

To address the root causes of child migration from Central America and strengthen protection of unaccompanied children, KIND advocates for policy changes and educates lawmakers, the media, and the broader public on the conditions that drive these children to flee their home countries. KIND supports children returning to their home countries by connecting them to essential support services and sponsors gender-based violence prevention programs in Central America to protect children in countries of origin and transit.

KIND is also building upon its expertise in the protection of unaccompanied children to encourage the development of pro bono initiatives across Europe in partnership with European NGOs.

Position Summary:

KIND seeks five Managing Attorneys to each lead a legal services program for unaccompanied children placed at Emergency Intake Sites (EIS) maintained by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) at the following five sites:  San Diego, CA; Dallas, TX; San Antonio, TX; El Paso, TX; and Midland, TX. Please specify in your application which location you are applying to. 

This position will be for a temporary contract of 6 months (with the possibility of extension).  

Essential Functions:

• Employ effective management strategies to lead high-volume on-site program to provide core legal services (including know-your-rights orientations, legal screenings and/or legal case assessments, and referrals) to unaccompanied children placed at Emergency Intake Sites (EIS) maintained by the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR); each EIS Managing Attorney will manage the program at one of five sites including San Diego, CA; Dallas, TX; San Antonio, TX; El Paso, TX; and Midland, TX.
• Serve as the EIS program site’s primary liaison with KIND’s headquarters (including Legal Programs leadership, and Policy, Advocacy, Communications, Development, Human Resources, and Operations departments), working under the supervision of the EIS Program Director
• Maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders including children served, facility staff and/or other on-site service providers; local and national partners; pro bono and volunteer partners; and relevant government representatives;
• Work with Legal Programs leadership to ensure compliance with all contract requirements;
• In collaboration with Legal Programs Leadership promote volunteer engagement and develop and oversee on-site volunteer programming;
• Ensure data integrity and utilize case management databases and other technological tools to assist in creating more efficient processes and identifying training, recruitment, client needs/opportunities, and trends, in collaboration with KIND’s Data Strategy Team.
• Manage team or field office budget and, with assistance from other team members, track expenditures and identify budgeting priorities.
• Promote positive and collaborative team environment, and ensure prioritization of individual staff and team wellness.
• As a member of the management team in the Legal Programs department, the Managing Attorney is expected to uphold the following leadership characteristics:
• Meaningfully contribute thought leadership and expertise to advance KIND’s mission and the strategic goals and objectives of the Legal Programs Team.
• Offer new insights into challenges and opportunities; evaluate conventional approaches and provide and encourage new ideas and innovations; and explore and implement new or cutting-edge programs/processes in collaboration with leadership.
• Partner with organizational leadership on conflict resolution.
• Deal effectively with pressure and remain optimistic and persistent, even in an uncertain and challenging environment.
• Together with other members of the management team, embrace leadership values and a work ethic that exemplifies authenticity, goodwill, transparency, and collaboration.
• Inspire and foster team commitment, spirit, trust, and employee wellness.
• Facilitate cooperation and motivate team members to accomplish group goals.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• J.D. and admitted to a state bar.
• 6-8 years of experience practicing immigration law, which should include representation of clients in humanitarian immigration claims such as asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U visas, and T visas.
• 3+ years of experience working with children or adolescents, preferably immigrant and refugee children, and/or working with survivors of abuse, human trafficking, or other trauma.
• Experience working with law firm attorneys and/or other legal volunteers.
• 3+ years of experience supervising attorneys and non-attorney staff.
• Experience in program management, including experience such as project management, tracking deliverables, hiring, planning and development.
• Experience working in a national or larger management structure, preferred.
• Strong record of cultural competence and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and persuasively both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated effective and authentically engaged leadership; ability to critically assess challenges and propose and execute solutions, with appropriate consultation and visibility to leadership; excellent professional judgment.
• A deep understanding of and ability to work and lead effectively with internal and external stakeholders .
• Demonstrated high-level writing and public speaking/training skills
• Ability to work collaboratively and to handle multiple demands in a busy work environment,
• Proficiency in case management or data management systems,
• Ability to work within an office environment, have regular interaction via telephone, Teams and email with KIND’s national team.
• Advanced Spanish fluency required.

Application Instructions:

Please be advised that an employment application will need to be submitted along with your resume and cover letter, in order to be considered for the desired role.

KIND has an organization-wide commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We strive to create a work environment where everyone has a sense of belonging. Individuals from historically underrepresented or underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Job Types: Full-Time.

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