Case Coordinator

The Advocates for Human Rights: The Advocates is a volunteer based, non-governmental, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the promotion and protection of internationally recognized human rights. The Advocates’ programming focuses on women’s rights, including freedom from violence; migrant and refugee rights, including both advocacy and legal services; peace building in post-conflict societies; due process and freedom from persecution; and economic and social rights.

The Advocates work to bring about systems change, reinforce accountability mechanisms, raise awareness, foster tolerance, and help individuals more fully realize their inherent rights.

This position provides essential case management and client support for the Minnesota Habeas Project team. The role requires meticulous attention to detail in maintaining case files, managing the client database, tracking critical deadlines, obtaining information related to intakes, monitoring intake status and decisions, and compiling data for grant reports. The Case Coordinator ensures The Advocates delivers legal services in an expert and professional manner through excellent data management and case file maintenance, while pursuing a client-centered approach in all interactions.

This role demands the ability to thrive in a fast-paced office atmosphere while maintaining composure to serve clients with compassion and care, with strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and excellent communication abilities essential for success. This position supports collaboration with partners at universities, law firms, and other legal service providers, with the goal of providing urgent pro bono legal representation to detained noncitizens.

The primary responsibility of this position is to support and coordinate ILS’ work related to the Minnesota Habeas Project.

• Conduct intakes for Minnesota Habeas Project
• Assist intake coordinator with discrete intake duties
• Occasionally conduct intake interviews with potential clients in other categories of cases
• Participate in duty-intake staff rotation

• Manage data for Minnesota Habeas Project cases, from intake to conclusion
• Track intake and ongoing case status
• Assist with grant reporting for relevant grants

• Support case pitching and case opening process
• Schedule and support meetings between program staff, clients, and pro bono attorneys

• Manage habeas case closing procedures with clients and pro bono attorneys
• Manage transitions to additional case matters, as needed

• Assist with designing and improving outreach strategy
• Coordinate and participate in Minnesota Habeas Project outreach events
• Create and maintain connections with contacts to facilitate outreach and case referrals

• Actively participate in team and organizational staff meetings and other communications channels to foster cross-programmatic understanding, collaboration, and respect for the work we each do.
• Take responsibility for managing workload, hours, and stress by communicating with supervisor, participating in staff development opportunities, and being aware of available supports, including the Employee Assistance Program.
• Take part in the annual Human Rights Awards Dinner and other program and all-staff events as assigned.
• Participate in creating a respectful and collaborative workplace.
• Other duties as required.

There is limited travel with occasional opportunities to travel through Minnesota and the Dakotas. This position directly reports to the Supervising Attorney, and works alongside other Program Staff and Attorneys, and is part of the organizational team.

• Excellent organization and time management skills, including the ability to meet deadlines and manage competing priorities
• Demonstrated success communicating with a diverse population
• A commitment to a client-centered approach to the work
• Flexible, willing to adapt as programming grows.
• Innovative and creative, questioning and trying to improve the intake process…