Job description
LEGAL PROGRAM ASSOCIATE
Center for Gender and Refugee Studies
Classification: Class Code 2030 / Exempt / Full-Time / Benefited / Contract
Anticipated hiring rate : $67,500-$73,500 Annually
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) defends the human rights of people seeking asylum in the United States. With strategic focus and unparalleled legal expertise, for 25 years CGRS has championed the most challenging cases, fought for due process, and promoted policies that deliver safety and justice for refugees.
We are the trusted partner and proven resource for legal services providers and human rights organizations and bring invaluable data and compelling personal stories to shape the public narrative. Through technical assistance and training, we empower advocates to take on complex asylum cases, providing them with the tools they need to craft winning arguments and secure protections for their clients. We also use strategic litigation to advance sound asylum laws and protect due process rights. And our policy advocacy and education work provide critical expertise to policymakers at all levels of government, leading the movement to honor our commitments to refugees and asylum seekers under U.S. and international law. CGRS is committed to building an anti-racist and anti-oppression organization that lives its values internally and externally.
THE ROLE and responsibilities
CGRS is seeking a highly motivated individual passionate about refugee rights and ready to participate in all CGRS core program areas of policy and advocacy, training and technical assistance, and impact litigation, and support the development of CGRS’s Lived Experience Leadership Project. The position may be remote, with preference for candidates based in California, and the work includes both national and international matters. The position is a dynamic one that will reflect the vision and flexibility of the organization in the changing landscape of attacks on refugee rights.
The Legal Program Associate will work under the supervision of the Director of Policy & Advocacy but will provide support in various capacities to different CGRS programs. This role will primarily support CGRS’s Policy & Advocacy and Training & Technical Assistance Programs. Projects will include coordinating logistics and providing support for the development and implementation of CGRS’s Lived Experience Leadership Project, a new initiative to promote the leadership of people with lived experience of forced displacement, while enriching CGRS’s advocacy and programmatic efforts.
Typical duties and responsibilities consist of, but are not limited to, the following:
- In coordination with CGRS Leadership and other staff, lead implementation of the Lived Experience Leadership Project, including planning, recruitment, development of project materials, and oversight of fellows.
- Assist the Policy & Advocacy Program in all aspects of their work, including organizing and participating in meetings with key stakeholders, providing research support, producing materials and memos, proofreading, and formatting reports or other written materials.
- Research, identify, draft, and submit inputs for regional and international human rights bodies and courts, in coordination with the Policy & Advocacy team.
- Support the creation of content for the CGRS website and other external communications and materials, in coordination with the Policy & Advocacy team.
- Support the development of Technical Assistance & Training materials, including drafting country conditions toolkits and resource lists, and assisting with the supervision of country conditions volunteers, in coordination with the Country Conditions Program Coordinator.
- Provide support for webinars, trainings, and presentations, both in person and virtual, for the Training & Technical Assistance and Policy & Advocacy programs. Responsibilities include managing logistics, promoting events, and assisting or presenting as needed.
- Provide support to the Technical Assistance Program, including tasks such as frontline and outcomes outreach, data analysis, and database maintenance, as needed.
- Liaise between legal program staff and development staff, including providing information to comply with grant reporting.
- Provide other general program support on an as-needed basis
REQUIREMENTS
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience; advanced studies in international human rights law or a related field are preferred but not required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES.
Ability to write in a clear, structured, articulate, and persuasive manner.
Strong proofing skills.
Enthusiasm to learn and grow in a collaborative staff environment.
Solid organizational and time-management skills.
Proficiency with relevant software programs, e.g., MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
Experience conducting research on a wide range of topics and synthesizing findings.
Openness to learning how to support CGRS’s website and online databases.
Ability to work independently and within a team.
Attention to detail.
High level of productivity.
Demonstrated commitment to refugee, human rights, and social justice issues.
Travel to San Francisco for annual staff retreat, and willingness to travel for project specific tasks, as needed.
Proficiency in a second language preferred (fluency a plus), particularly in a language spoken by displaced communities, such as Arabic, Dari, Haitian Creole, Mam, Spanish or Ukrainian.
Lived experience of forced displacement preferred.
BENEFITS
Health and Welfare Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance coverage
- Flexible Spending Accounts for transportation-related, healthcare and dependent care expenses
- Employee Assistance Program
For Your Financial Future
- Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, and Legal Insurance
- University of California Retirement Plan (a defined benefit plan)
- Deferred Compensation Plans/Pre-tax Retirement Savings Programs
For Your Work/Life Balance
- Fifteen paid holidays per year
- Generous vacation and sick leave
- Commuter Benefits Program
THE HIRING PROCESS
CGRS will review applications on a rolling basis and encourages individuals to apply by July 11, 2025.
Please note: This position has been designated as “sensitive” and requires a pre-employment background check.
Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please contact Human Resources if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Applicants who meet the position requirements will be competitively evaluated to identify the individuals whose breadth and depth of experience and education most closely relate to the stated requirements and the needs of the College. Not all applicants will be contacted for an interview.
The skills listed above are comprehensive, and we understand there are great candidates who possess only a subset of those skills, or who have other important skills. If you match some of these skills, please do not hesitate to apply.
UC Law SF is an equal opportunity employer. UC Law SF strives to provide a diverse and inclusive educational environment that fosters cultural awareness, mutual understanding and respect. UC Law SF is interested in candidates who will contribute to diversity and equal opportunity in higher education through their teaching. Qualified women and members of underrepresented minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
