Position Summary

HIAS seeks one lawyer to support its mission to provide legal aid to refugees and other forced migrants in Lesvos, Greece. The selected lawyer provides aid to refugees and other forced migrants through the provision of individual asylum counseling and casework, individual representation before the Greek authorities and courts, group asylum information presentations, assistance with family reunification, and another protection-related advocacy.

Essential Functions:

• Represents clients by attending registration, family reunification, and asylum interviews.
• Drafts and submits asylum, family reunification, appeal submissions, and other case materials.
• Compiles biographical data, persecution stories, and evidence to produce comprehensive asylum case submissions.
• Conducts interviews with individual refugees and families.
• Communicate with the authorities regularly regarding updates on cases and procedure changes.
• Advocates for client access to asylum procedures and processes.
• Provides legal information and counseling (group and/or through individual sessions) to refugees and migrants on asylum, family reunification procedures
• Attends meetings and builds relations with legal and other partners.
• Refers refugees and forced migrants to assistance from partners as needed.
• Mentors and assists volunteer attorneys from around the world.
• Conducts legal information sessions for asylum seekers
• Meets filing and reporting requirements
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Law degree and registration with a Greek bar association.
• Ideally two years relevant work experience.
• Excellent oral and written English skills; excellent drafting, analytical, and communication skills.
• Post-graduate degree in a relevant field (e.g. Public international law, human rights, refugee law, international relations, political science) preferred.
• Experience in representing asylum seekers and refugees before civil and criminal judicial proceedings desirable
• Knowledge of international refugee law, human rights law, and application
• Knowledge of country conditions in Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, and other refugee-producing countries preferred.
• Experience with asylum or refugee status determination procedures
• Ability to flexibly adapt to a changing legal, emergency-response environment.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, multicultural environment

SAMPLE HIRING PROCESS:

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process:

Step 1: Submit your application!

Step 2: Phone screen with a Human Resources staff person.

Step 3: Interview with the hiring manager.

Step 4: Interview with a panel of HIAS employees.

Step 5: Reference check.

Step 6: Offer and background check.

Step 7: Start your professional journey with HIAS!

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.

ABOUT US:

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts, and history of the Jewish people – a history of oppression, displacement, and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities, and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history, and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency, and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community, and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission, and values.

VISION:

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety, and opportunity.

MISSION:

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • (Hachnasat Orchim)

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • (Tzedek)

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • (Chesed)

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • (Chevruta)

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • (Ometz)

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • (Ruach)

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation, or other legally protected.

SAFEGUARDING:

HIAS is committed to the protection of children, vulnerable adults and any other person from any harm caused directly or indirectly due to their coming into contact with HIAS. We will not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or any form of child abuse or neglect by our staff or associated personnel. Any candidate offered a job with HIAS will be expected to sign and adhere to HIAS’ Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. HIAS also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. Likewise, HIAS will share this information when other organizations inquire about current and former HIAS staff as part of their recruitment process. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.