International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP)
IRAP is the first organization to provide comprehensive legal representation to refugees through the registration, protection, and resettlement processes. We are 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 persons around the world. IRAP operates offices in New York, Jordan, and Lebanon. Our legal services are supplemented by a corps of pro bono lawyers from leading U.S. and international law firms, and law students who have created IRAP chapters at 26 universities in the U.S. and Canada. IRAP was founded in 2008 by a group of Yale Law students with a vision to change the status quo of global refugee processing in order to assist the most vulnerable refugees.
Opportunity
IRAP is seeking several law students for spring and summer 2016 internships. Legal interns will work at IRAP’s headquarters in New York City 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. Students will gain valuable experience:
- Conducting intake interviews with refugees to determines 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 foreign governments.
- Researching law and global country and human rights conditions to reinforce claims.
- Liaising with colleagues at partner NGOs and IGOs to resolve issues, and attending meetings as necessary.
- Other duties as assigned.
Skills
- BA and pursuing an advanced degree in law
- Interest in refugee law and/or processing, human rights, and international law
- Strong research, writing, and analytical skills
- Must be organized, flexible, motivated, and a good team player
- Strong interpersonal and communications skills, and the ability to understand and handle sensitive and confidential information
- Fluency in oral and written English, ability to speak Arabic is a plus
- Microsoft suite
Note: While internships are unpaid, IRAP is committed to working with students who are seeking credit and/or funding. Students should be willing to commit to 12-15 hours per week for the spring semester and full-time for a minimum of 10 weeks in the summer.
IRAP welcomes applications from diverse candidates.
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