About KIND
Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is a global leader in the protection of unaccompanied and separated children who are forcibly displaced from their countries of origin. Launched in 2008, KIND champions a world in which every child’s rights and well-being are protected throughout their journey to safety.
Building on its extensive programming and successful model in the United States, KIND is expanding in the Americas and Europe to bring its experience to bear in working with unaccompanied and separated children. Our work focuses on addressing the legal and mental health needs of this population; building strong partnerships and engaging in training and capacity strengthening with governments, NGOs, and the private sector; and advocating for systemic and pragmatic reforms to advance the rights of unaccompanied and separated children.
Position Summary
KIND’s vision and unwavering goal is that all unaccompanied children facing immigration proceedings in the U.S have a lawyer at their side while the government adjudicates their immigration case. To achieve that vision, KIND (1) establishes and leverages public and private partnerships, which expands the organization’s ability to reach and serve migrant children; and (2) aims to consistently and efficiently deliver high-quality, trauma- informed services.
KIND is poised to serve even more children by virtue of a proposed federal government contracting opportunity stemming from a forthcoming Request for Proposals (RFP) from the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families. That proposed RFP will significantly increase post-release services for unaccompanied children crossing into the U.S.
KIND seeks a Project Manager, Federal Contract to support the Senior Project Director and Deputy Project Director, Federal Contract in managing a large, complex federal services contract. The incumbent will be responsible for overseeing direct implementation of project deliverables and providing day-to-day support to paralegals, attorneys, and interpreters/translators delivering services. The Project Manager, Federal Contract will coordinate training and technical assistance needs to ensure that KIND and subcontractors are providing eligible unaccompanied children with high quality legal representation in accordance with the pursuant contract. The incumbent will report to the Deputy Project Director, Federal Contract.
This position is contingent upon KIND securing a contract pursuant to this proposed RFP.
Essential Functions
- Oversee Direct Implementation of Legal Services
- Serves as day-to-day point of contact and support for paralegals, attorneys, and interpreters/translators providing direct services to unaccompanied children.
- Maintains current knowledge of all relevant laws, policies, and procedures related to the contract’s scope of work, and advises on such.
- Provides support to and coordinates with Regional Program Managers to ensure effective, efficient legal services delivery and consistency in implementation of policies and practices across offices.
- Supports Deputy Project Director, Federal Contract in developing and implementing priorities, guidelines, and procedures in support of legal services provision, including pro bono facilitation and direct legal services.
- Supports project leadership in monitoring cases and legal services providers’ progress toward achieving performance goals under the contract to meet customer (ORR) requirements. Ensures that all tasks are complete, and deadlines met.
- Assist in Coordinating Training and Technical Assistance
- Works with project leadership and legal services staff to identify training needs for legal services providers.
- Informs training and technical assistance development and implementation.
- Support Project Administration
- Coordinates and collaborates with Operations, Finance, Development, Technology, and Human Resources teams, as needed.
- Supports Senior Project Director and Deputy Director, Federal Contract with administrative tasks, including developing meeting agendas, taking notes, tracking follow-ups, implementing project management and task-tracking systems, and setting clear objectives for all internal stakeholders overseeing work under the contract.
Qualifications and Requirements
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) required, with a minimum of 5 years of experience in immigration legal services.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in direct service delivery work with youth and trauma-informed care.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience supporting legal staff, preferably in diffuse locations.
- Minimum of 2 years of experience in programmatic and/or budgetary management.
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Experience with implementing federal contracts preferred.
- Direct knowledge of and experience working with the Administration for Children & Families, or the Office of Refugee Resettlement, preferred.
- Proven ability to navigate successfully in complex, fast-paced organizations.
- Experience managing large and cross-functional project teams.
- Knowledge of project management methodologies and tools. Operational experience with program/project metrics tracking and reporting strongly preferred.
- Experience working with nongovernmental organizations, ideally those working in the child welfare, refugee, or humanitarian immigration context, preferred.
- Exceptional communication skills in English, both verbal and written, and ability to present in a professional and persuasive manner.
- Ability to work independently and meet deadlines with minimal guidance and delegate as appropriate.
- Job requires 25% travel, including to Washington, D.C., for candidates not based in that metropolitan area.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (such as Teams, Excel, etc.)
- Ability to work collaboratively and multi-task in our KIND environment, managing numerous priorities and emerging opportunities.
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to work on multiple projects in a deadline-oriented environment; ability to prioritize tasks and delegate as appropriate.
- Ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, and communication styles.
- Commitment to prioritizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, as well as embracing transparency and authenticity in daily work life.
- Be disciplined and nimble to ensure delivery on our core mission of access to justice and protection of children’s wellbeing and rights.
- Ability to multitask and work with a sense of urgency in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- Committed to practicing and supporting wellbeing and a work-home life balance.
- Experience working and communicating in a remote environment.
$81,430 - $101,786 a year
Our Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance with KIND paying 100% of the employee only portion of the premium for one of the two medical plan options, dental, and vision.
- Pre-tax flexible spending account (FSA) for both medical and dependent care.
- Pre-tax transit and parking spending account.
- Employer-paid life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
- Employer-paid short and long-term disability insurance.
For a complete list of benefits, please click here.
Our Focus on Wellness
KIND recognizes that our ability to help our clients starts with helping our team members. KIND has prioritized wellness for employees through Mindfulness and Wellness Trainings, Wellness Platforms, Employee Assistance and Resilience Programs, Time Away and Office Wellness Activities.
For more information regarding our Wellness initiatives please visit this link.
Application Instructions
To be considered for this role, please submit an employment application at supportkind.org/join-the-team, along with your resume and cover letter.
KIND has an organization-wide commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We strive to create a work environment where everyone has a sense of belonging. Individuals from historically underrepresented or underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Disclaimer: KIND is committed to an ethical recruitment and hiring process and maintains a firm “no fees” recruitment policy. We will never charge a fee or ask for money as part of the application process. KIND also conducts all interviews via telephone or video conference, and at no time will KIND engage in a text or mobile app-based application or interview process. For more information, please visit the following website: https://supportkind.org/join-the-team/kind-employment-practices/.