Kenya: Legal Fellow (Kenya)

Organization: Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society

Country: Kenya

Closing date: 30 Jun 2016

Position Summary:

HIAS seeks a Legal Fellow for the summer of 2016 and the fall semester of 2016 to provide support to it’s global refugee rights programs in Nairobi, Kenya and Kampala, Uganda. Legal Fellows conduct interviews with refugees, conduct legal and country conditions research, provide other resettlement-related legal services, and increase HIAS’ capacity to prepare resettlement cases for direct submission to the US and Canada for resettlement. Legal Fellows also assist with other resettlement-related activities, including case identification and review. Please be advised that there is no relocation or housing assistance provided for this position and it is an unpaid fellowship.

Essential Functions:

· Conducts interviews with refugees identified by UNHCR and HIAS partners to be in need of third country resettlement (including refugees who are survivors of torture or sexual and gender-based violence, those with serious medical conditions, unaccompanied children, single-parent heads of households, women most at risk, older refugees, sexual and gender minorities, and other refugees who meet refugee resettlement criteria).

• Prepares refugee case files to be submitted by HIAS to third countries for resettlement.


• Conducts legal research and analysis of refugee-related matters, including of country conditions in refugee-producing countries.


• Drafts memos and other legal documents in support of refugee resettlement claims.


• Follows the status of refugee clients’ resettlement cases and meets with them to provide updates.


• Maintains file management protocols, by entering case information in client database.


• Responds to inquiries from various internal and external stakeholders.


• Attends refugee-related meetings and conferences.


• Performs other tasks as necessary.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Undergraduate degree in political science, international relations or a related field; completion of at least two years of an advanced degree in law.


• Excellent research, writing and communication skills.


• Previous legal interviewing skills a plus, particularly with vulnerable persons.


• Familiarity with refugee law and resettlement programs preferred; knowledge of refugee crises and human rights issues in Africa preferred.


• Ability to work as part of a multi-agency team in a multicultural environment, with sensitivity to age, gender and diversity.


• Excellent time management and organizational skills; able to work in a fast paced environment.

About US:

HIAS is the global Jewish nonprofit organization working in 14 countries across five continents to ensure that refugees and displaced persons are protected. Throughout the United States, we help refugees reunite with families, resettle and become self-sufficient. Guided by our values and history, we help refugees rebuild their lives in safety and security and advocate to ensure that all displaced people are treated with dignity.

HIAS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND COMPLIES WITH ALL FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL EMPLOYMENT LAWS.

How to apply:

Application Instructions:

Please submit your resume and cover letter to our website, http://www.hias.org/career-and-internship-opportunities