About IRAP The International Refugee Assistance Project (“IRAP”) is a dynamic and growing legal, policy, and advocacy organization that works to develop and enforce a system of legal and human rights for refugees and displaced people around the world. We are the leading organization that provides free and comprehensive legal services to people we serve through registration, protection, and resettlement processes.

IRAP operates offices in the U.S. (New York City), Jordan (Amman), and Lebanon (Beirut). Our legal services are supplemented by a corps of pro bono lawyers from leading U.S. and international law firms and multinational corporations, and law students who have created IRAP chapters across the United States and Canada. Through this work, we aim to assist refugees and other displaced people to find safe passage and to transform the landscape of refugee rights in the U.S. and internationally. IRAP has over 50 full-time staff, the majority of whom are based in the New York City office, with others working in field offices in Jordan and Lebanon or remotely. We are a nimble organization staffed by an innovative and collaborative team that is committed to high standards of quality and close partnerships with our clients, peers, and colleagues.

IRAP’s legal department includes over 25 staff who provide individual legal assistance to refugees and other displaced people around the world. Since IRAP’s establishment, we have helped to resettle more than 3,800 individuals to 18 countries.

The IRAP Jordan Office is located in the capital city of Amman. Our team consists of a Program and Operations Director, Program and Operations Assistant, two Staff Attorneys, and two Caseworkers. Our work is centered on providing remote and in-person legal assistance with refugee resettlement and family reunification through United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) referrals, the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), and relocation through alternative pathways.

Opportunity IRAP is seeking several law students for Summer 2020 internships. Legal interns will work at IRAP’s field office in Amman under the supervision of our team of attorneys. This is an exciting opportunity for individuals interested in refugees, human rights, and/or refugee, immigration, and international law to make a difference in the lives of those at risk.

Responsibilities

• Conducting intake interviews with refugees to determine needs and refugee claims
• Drafting legal briefs and memos in support of at-risk and vulnerable refugee cases
• Preparing affidavits and other evidence for cases submitted to UNHCR and directly to governments
• Researching law and global country and human rights conditions to reinforce clients’ legal claims
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Pursuing a degree in law
• Interest in refugee law and/or refugee resettlement processing, human rights, and international law
• Fluency in oral and written English required; ability to speak Arabic is preferred
• Highly organized and motivated, able to multitask, manage a high volume workload, and have excellent time management skills
• Strong research, writing, and analytical skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Sensitivity to client empowerment and to working with clients of all backgrounds, including LGBTI clients, survivors of trauma, and other vulnerable populations
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite