Opportunity: The mission of Omid Advocates for Human Rights is to promote, advance and represent the human, legal and civil rights of Farsi-speaking communities in the United States. Recognizing that social, economic, political and racial inequalities continue to exist in the United States, Omid Advocates is committed to the pursuit of equality and justice for all sectors of our society with a specific focus directed toward addressing the needs of low-income Farsi-speaking clients.
Refugee Legal Assistance Program:
In March 2010 Omid Advocates for Human Rights visited Turkey to meet with UNHCR, foreign government representatives and Iranian refugees. During our five day visit we met and spoke with approximately 70 refugees the majority of which had entered Turkey after the June 12, 2009 presidential election. We are currently working on claims filed by post-June 12th Iranian refugees and pending at UNHCR.
In March 2010 Omid Advocates for Human Rights visited Turkey to meet with UNHCR, foreign government representatives and Iranian refugees. During our five day visit we met and spoke with approximately 70 refugees the majority of which had entered Turkey after the June 12, 2009 presidential election. We are currently working on claims filed by post-June 12th Iranian refugees and pending at UNHCR.
This program focuses on assisting asylum seekers to present their claims before UNHCR and provide pre-interview counseling to asylum seekers. Each volunteer attorney and intern will undergo training in refugee law and the UNHCR’s operation of refugee processing. Legal interns work with clients to provide refugee status processing support. The translation support team and document translators respond to requests for translation of communications to and from clients. Through this program we provide the following services:
• Legal representation of Iranian refugee applicants before UNHCR to facilitate the processing of refugees pending applications for recognition and resettlement.
• Consult with clients on eligibility for refugee status before UNHCR Turkey and UNHCR Iraq.
• Explain the refugee process and assist refugee applicants to present a coherent claim, and prepare for their interview.
• Submit supporting evidence and country condition documentation to UNHCR.
• Author and submit letters of support and requests to expedite refugee applications.
• Provide referrals for medical and psychological assessments and financial assistance.
• Advocate for refugee laws, policies and practices that coincide with the mandates of international refugee and human rights law.
Specific Responsibilities: Legal interns/volunteers will work with clients to provide refugee status processing support:
1. Review Refugee-Intake form, email correspondence from refugees and communicate directly with refugees through email, Skype or telephone to determine if additional documentation, both specific and background, and/or medical assessment, both physical and/or psychological, may be obtained to accelerate UNHCR adjudication of claim;
2. Assess individual claims to determine eligibility for refugee recognition;
3. Perform research to locate country conditions documentation relevant to pending claim;
4. If appropriate, contact UNHCR in writing to request accelerated processing or status update on pending application and submitting any new additional country condition documentation relevant to claim;
5. Work with translators to prepare or obtain translations of Farsi supporting documentation relevant to pending claims;
6. Assist in the maintenance of up-to-date country conditions documentation;
7. Interact with refugees to determine need for financial assistance, medical assistance or psychological intervention and refer to existing resources;
8. Prepare online case progress reports and submit to Omid Advocates Program Administrator for documentation purposes.
1. Review Refugee-Intake form, email correspondence from refugees and communicate directly with refugees through email, Skype or telephone to determine if additional documentation, both specific and background, and/or medical assessment, both physical and/or psychological, may be obtained to accelerate UNHCR adjudication of claim;
2. Assess individual claims to determine eligibility for refugee recognition;
3. Perform research to locate country conditions documentation relevant to pending claim;
4. If appropriate, contact UNHCR in writing to request accelerated processing or status update on pending application and submitting any new additional country condition documentation relevant to claim;
5. Work with translators to prepare or obtain translations of Farsi supporting documentation relevant to pending claims;
6. Assist in the maintenance of up-to-date country conditions documentation;
7. Interact with refugees to determine need for financial assistance, medical assistance or psychological intervention and refer to existing resources;
8. Prepare online case progress reports and submit to Omid Advocates Program Administrator for documentation purposes.
Qualifications: Legal Interns are self-motivated, detail-oriented, able and anxious to think and work independently and creatively. Strong legal writing and analysis skills are required. Demonstrated interest in the human rights situation of Iran and regional countries preferred. Legal interns must work well and communicate effectively in a team-oriented environment and multitask efficiently.
International human rights law experience is desired, but not required.
- Basic proficiency in verbal Farsi is required.
Date: Immediate and/or Summer Internship, rolling application, flexible hours
Send resume and cover letter to: info@omidadvocates.org
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