Immigration Program Manager

International Rescue Committee • Spokane, WA

12d • $77,969 - $84,000

About The Position

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future. Job Overview: The Program Manager, Immigration, provides guidance, leadership, and direct support for immigration legal and related civic engagement services. The Program Manager is responsible for supervision of legal services provided by DOJ accredited representatives, and staff and intern performance as well as program delivery, implementation, and development. The Program Manager is expected to be accredited by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) through IRC to represent clients in immigration matters before United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree required. Graduate degree strongly preferred.
• Currently accredited by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) through IRC or another DOJ-recognized organization.
• At least 3 years of professional experience representing individuals before USCIS as a DOJ accredited representative.
• At least 3 years of experience providing supervision in an immigration legal services context
• Program management experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and cultivate partnerships in furtherance of program development goals.
• Demonstrated understanding of fiscal management and reporting required.
• Proven track record in business development, including proposal writing and development, grant management, and budgeting, highly desired.
• Excellent English written and oral communication skills, including presentation skills.
• Ability and passion to train and mentor staff with less experience on immigration legal issues.
• Ability and passion to strengthen programs through best practices and innovative approaches.
• Proven understanding of legal ethics standards and ability to instruct others on core principles of legal professional conduct.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Ability to be flexible and work well under pressure in a fast-paced team environment.
• Previous multi-cultural experience and proven ability to communicate well with people from diverse backgrounds strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to work effectively as a member of a team and to exercise independent judgment responsibly.
• Department of Justice accreditation with the IRC required. If DOJ accreditation is not currently held, must be willing/able to pursue and obtain timely accreditation through the IRC.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency in Spanish, French, Arabic, Dari, or Pashto strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Program Development & Leadership Represent IRC at immigration-related meetings and events in the community, with partners and funders, and with government agencies, including by giving presentations.
• Create and support implementation of outreach strategy.
• Develop and implement media opportunities in conjunction with the Site Director for publicizing immigration work.
• Cultivate partnerships and opportunities with key legal service providers, community-based organizations, and other local organizations or institutions, to enhance collaboration and outreach for legal and civic engagement services.
• Develop strategic plan for immigration and civics, incorporating client and partner feedback, to increase responsiveness of services, increase sustainability, and improve service delivery.
• Serve on Senior Management Team/Leadership Team and work effectively across programs to further IRC’s mission.
• Contribute to and support office-wide Strategic Action Plan.
• Direct Client Services Maintain a limited caseload of cases before US Citizenship & Immigration Services, including family reunification, adjustment of status, and naturalization cases.
• Stay apprised of relevant immigration law and policy, and maintain DOJ accreditation by attending and keeping records of continuing legal education training and credits.
• Maintain strict client confidentiality and observe all ethical practices/obligations as outlined in IRC’s Immigration Program Policies Manual.
• Program and Staff Supervision Provide daily direct supervision to immigration and civics staff, employing adaptive management techniques to provide regular individual supervision and support; mentor staff, set clear performance expectations and goals, give regular performance feedback, help prioritize workloads, help troubleshoot challenges, and maintain appropriate professional development plans.
• Ensure all cases have high-quality legal review and that clients are counseled appropriately on their immigration options and potential risks and consequences of applying for certain immigration benefits.
• Ensure immigration staff adhere to the IRC Immigration Program Policies Manual, including through regular mentorship, direct observations of key client service activities (e.g., client intakes), and by ensuring staff receive frequent, ongoing relevant (internal and external) legal training, including on legal ethics, and have the most up-to-date guidance regarding immigration adjudication trends and policies.
• Ensure all staff, interns and volunteers have a clear understanding of what activities constitute the unauthorized practice of law and how these boundaries should be applied in IRC’s legal service model.
• Work with the HQ Legal Services Unit to ensure legal assistants have adequate support and training to pursue DOJ accreditation in a timely manner as appropriate to their legal skills and knowledge.
• Develop and monitor case acceptance policies and caseload targets and limits.
• Promote and develop a high functioning, collaborative team and ensure effective integration of internships and volunteers within programs; collaborate with other IRC program areas as appropriate to ensure client-centered service.
• Actively co-facilitate and support grant opening, grant review, and grant closing meetings, and lead all aspects of grant cycle, including developing/implementing monitoring & evaluation plans.
• Oversee and/or conduct regular internal case file reviews (paper files and electronic case files) to ensure compliance with IRC Immigration Program Policies as well as any donor requirements.
• Develop/maintain effective quality assurance systems and processes for course correction.
• Serve as the key liaison with the Immigration HQ Technical Unit for caseload and ongoing legal work, including participating in regular calls and trainings.
• Data Management & Reporting Responsible for accurate and timely completion of all program reports as required by funding sources, headquarters, and other partners.
• Track monthly and quarterly performance, and ensure all client work is documented in case management system.
• Track budget spending for immigration, including against grants as well as progress of revenue against goals.
• Regularly consolidate immigration fees with finance colleagues.

Benefits

• We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $163 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees