Advocacy Manager- German Team (Part-time 50%) job in Berlin, Germany

Position description

About IRAP

The International Refugee Assistance Project (“IRAP”) is a dynamic and growing legal and policy 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 providing free and comprehensive legal services to people in need of a safe place to live and a safe way to get there.

IRAP operates offices in the U.S. (New York City, Washington, D.C.), Jordan (Amman), Lebanon (Beirut), and Europe (Berlin). Our legal and advocacy teams work closely with a corps of pro bono lawyers from leading law firms and multi-national corporations, and law students who have created IRAP chapters across the United States and Canada and are aiming to do so in Europe as well. Through this work, we aim to assist refugees and other displaced people to find safe passage and to transform the landscape of refugee rights. IRAP has over 100 full-time staff members. 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 believes that diversity is critical to fostering a strong workplace and serving our clients well. We strongly encourage applications from people with lived experiences in the communities that we serve, members of other marginalized communities, and individuals whose identities are underrepresented in the legal profession.

Opportunity

IRAP Europe is made up of 17 staff members, including a team of 12 who provide legal aid to clients in Family Reunification and Humanitarian Visa procedures through direct legal services and partnerships with local NGOs and pro bono law firms. Working primarily from our office in Berlin, Germany, our staff directly represent clients in French, German, and Swedish procedures as well as in litigation before international courts. Our international practice gives us a unique view of structural hurdles and inconsistencies in family reunification processing, and in addition to providing direct legal aid, we seek to address these issues through advocacy and litigation.

The IRAP Europe team is seeking an Advocacy Manager (50% contract) to lead IRAP Europe’s advocacy on key issues related to family reunification and other legal pathways to Germany. This position is a new one and it will be a crucial part of the Advocacy Manager´s work to shape and define the advocacy work of IRAP Europe’s German team. The Advocacy Manager will work in coordination with an Advocacy Manager in France and with IRAP’s global Policy team (based in the U.S.) to ensure and improve pathways to safety, with dignity and due process, for refugees and highly vulnerable individuals.

The Advocacy Manager will report to IRAP Europe’s Supervising Attorney (German Law).

This is an exciting opportunity for an individual interested in refugee rights to be part of a growing, international legal aid organization.

Responsibilities

- Develop and implement IRAP Europe's advocacy work plan for Germany, identifying priority issues and strategic approaches at German and European levels.
- Conduct direct advocacy with German authorities (and, in coordination with the Advocacy Manager for France, with European authorities) on matters identified through IRAP Europe casework in Germany, leveraging evidence and datato achieve systems change.
- Coordinate and engage with partner organizations on advocacy related to family reunification and other legal pathways to German and to Europe.
- Join or build new coalitions and networks with groups and organizations engaging in advocacy and communications work in Germany and in Europe with a focus on refugee and migrant-led groups and organizations.
- Coordinate with IRAP’s US-based Policy and Communications Teams on IRAP’s approach to advocacy and communications work in non-European contexts.
- Deepen the mapping of policy makers, institutions, and other stakeholders that may be influenced, as well as media outlets and communications platforms in Germany and in Europe, that are best suited to raising awareness for advocacy purposes to further IRAP’s mission and goals.
- Coordinate publications on topics of interest in domestic and European forums. Keep up to date on policy, legislative, and case law-related developments on family reunification and asylum law at German and European levels.
- Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education
Advanced degree in migration studies, international development studies, human rights, law, or other related field required.
Experience
- Demonstrated experience conducting advocacy and/or strategic communications work on issues related to the protection of asylum seekers and/or refugees in Germany and/or Europe.
- At least three years of work experience in a migration-related field.
- Values, Competencies and Skills:
- Familiarity with asylum and family reunification frameworks in Germany and in the European Union.
- Familiarity with key stakeholders in the area’s of IRAP Europe’s work, ideally including refugee and migrant-led groups and organizations.
- Autonomous, highly flexible, and adaptive to organizational contexts.
- Ability to work efficiently and responsively in a multicultural setting.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in German and in English required; excellent skills in other languages (particularly French and Swedish) a plus but not required.
- Strong research, writing, and analytical skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite.

- - Job-related Requirements
- This position is based in Berlin and may be remote.
- This position is a 50% part-time contract.
- For remote employees, the position requires periodic (twice per year) travel to IRAP Europe’s office in Berlin.
- This position does not require office availability.

Benefits

IRAP’s benefits vary across office locations, and IRAP seeks to offer equitable and generous benefits to all employees. Benefits for IRAP’s employees in Germany include:
Supplementary company health insurance for staff as well as their partners and dependents.
Berlin transport pass (A, B, C).
Daycare reimbursements.
A wellness reimbursement twice per year.
Generous professional development opportunities.
Resilience and well-being coaching.
Company retirement plan.
25 vacation days.
Office closure December 25-January 1.
Approximately 20 additional paid office closures throughout the year (incl. Public holidays).

Compensation

€72,580 - €77,000 a year

Compensation at IRAP is based on a candidate’s education, experience, internal equity.

The annual full-time equivalent salary range for this position is:

€72,580-77,000.

This position is a 50% contract which will be compensated at 50% of this amount.

To Apply:

Please provide the following:

1- Cover letter customized to IRAP

2- Updated Resume

3- List of three references

4- Writing Sample in German

Reasonable Accommodation

IRAP is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment for all employees. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations in your cover letter provided.

We will work with you to ensure that you have the necessary support and accommodations in place throughout the recruitment process and during your employment with us.

IRAP is an equal-opportunity employer; people of color and individuals from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. IRAP does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, citizenship status, ethnic background, religion, political orientation, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other protected class. We consider all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of all local, state, and federal laws related to the Fair Chance Act.