Project Assistant – Family Reunification, IIP (PT)

Sanctuary for Families is New York’s leading service provider and advocate for survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking and related forms of gender violence. Every year, Sanctuary empowers thousands of adults and children to move from fear and abuse to safety and stability, transforming lives through a comprehensive range of services. We provide a range of wrap-around services to help survivors rebuild their lives in the aftermath of abuse, and work to end gender violence through three key strategies: direct services, outreach and training, and systems-change advocacy. Our services are available in 11 locations throughout New York City.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Project Assistant in the Family Reunification Project is a key position within Sanctuary for Families’ Immigration Intervention Project (IIP), a legal services project that represents thousands of survivors of domestic violence, other forms of gender-based violence, and human trafficking in a broad range of immigration matters.

Sanctuary’s Family Reunification Project helps immigrant clients reunite with their children who remained abroad as their mothers migrated to the United States. Many of our clients have fled their home countries to escape life-threatening abuse, while others were brought here by abusive husbands, partners, other family members, or traffickers. Seeking safety or opportunities to escape crushing poverty and exploitation, many of our clients were forced to leave their children behind. In the process of migration, extended periods of separation result in profound transformations and alienation among loved ones. For immigrant survivors of domestic violence experience, these hardships further exacerbate profound feelings of loss, loneliness, and trauma.

Sanctuary’s Project staff advocates with foreign embassies and consulates to obtain the birth records and required travel documents of our clients and their children, and have tirelessly built and maintained relationships with the State Department and its consular offices in dozens of countries around the world to ensure swift reunifications.

The Project Assistant in this role will work with our existing clients whose family members are abroad, advocate with foreign embassies and consulates to obtain the birth records and required travel documents of our clients and their children, and build and maintain relationships with the State Department and its consular offices in dozens of countries around the world to ensure swift reunifications. Other responsibilities include conducting community outreach and education, and collaborating with other agencies, including those at the New York City Family Justice Centers, to best assist and empower immigrant survivors of domestic violence, other forms of gender-based violence, and human trafficking and to advocate on their behalf with systems affecting their lives. The IIP operates from 5 different locations in New York City; this Project Assistant works out of the Manhattan office.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct screening interviews with existing clients regarding family members abroad to evaluate and address legal matters abroad impeding family reunification;
• Work with attorney(s) to prepare and file immigration and visa applications for clients and family members;
• Assist with advocacy to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of State, U.S. embassies and/or local consular offices for the best possible outcome in clients’ cases;
• Collaborate with attorney(s) to help the client gather all necessary documents for derivative’s consular interview;
• Assists client and family with exit permit/minor travel authorization and prepare clients for derivatives’ arrival in the United States;
• Maintain accurate records in the electronic database of current and potential clients;
• Perform administrative support services;
• Perform other duties or special projects as directed by the Deputy Directors or Director of IIP.

. Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required;
• Bilingual English and a relevant community language (e.g. Spanish, French, Russian) highly preferred;
• Paralegal or administrative experience preferred;
• Experience working with immigrant survivors of gender-based violence and/or human trafficking preferred;
• Excellent judgment and attention to detail;
• Strong writing and analytical skills;
• Strong communication skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Ability to work independently and under pressure;
• Energetic and passionate about Sanctuary’s mission of ending gender-based violence and human trafficking;
• Deep understanding of and ability to work well with people of diverse ethnic, cultural, religious, educational, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, creed (religion), color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, age, disability, predisposing genetic characteristic, marital status or domestic violence victim status, and shall also follow the requirements of the Human Rights Law with regard to non-discrimination on the basis of prior criminal conviction and prior arrest.

D.E.I Commitment: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are core values at Sanctuary for Families that represent our dedication to fostering a safe, respectful, responsive, and fair work environment. We recognize the value diversity holds in embracing all employees, clients, and volunteers regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or professional level.