Immigration Program Manager

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).
** Major 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.
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