About KIND:

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is a global leader in the protection of unaccompanied refugee and migrant children. Launched in 2008, KIND champions a world in which every child’s rights and well-being are protected throughout their journey to safety. Since 2008, KIND has accepted over 23,000 referrals of children seeking legal representation in their immigration proceedings. KIND has welcomed more than 41,000 attendees to trainings since its founding, cultivating partnerships with over 700 law firms, corporate legal departments, law schools, and bar associations across the country.

KIND’s social services program ensures that migrant and refugee children – who have often endured trauma – receive counseling, educational support, medical care, and other comprehensive services.

To address the root causes of child migration from Central America and strengthen the protection of unaccompanied children, KIND advocates for policy changes and educates lawmakers, the media, and the broader public on the conditions that drive these children to flee their home countries. KIND supports children returning to their home countries by connecting them to essential support services and sponsors gender-based violence prevention programs in Central America to protect children in countries of origin and transit.

KIND is also building upon its expertise in the protection of unaccompanied children to encourage the development of pro bono initiatives across Europe in partnership with European NGOs.

Position Summary:

KIND’s vision and unwavering goal is that all unaccompanied children facing immigration proceedings in the U.S have a lawyer at their side while the government adjudicates their immigration case. To achieve that vision, KIND (1) establishes and leverages public and private partnerships, which expands the organization’s ability to reach and serve migrant children; and (2) aims to consistently and efficiently deliver high-quality, trauma-informed services.

KIND is poised to serve even more children by virtue of a proposed federal government contracting opportunity stemming from a forthcoming Request for Proposals (RFP) from the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families. That proposed RFP will significantly increase post-release services for unaccompanied children crossing into the U.S.

KIND seeks a Project Manager, Federal Contract to support the Senior Project Director and Deputy Project Director in managing a large, complex federal services contract. The incumbent will be responsible for overseeing direct implementation of project deliverables and providing day-to-day support to paralegals, attorneys, and interpreters/translators delivering services. The Project Manager will coordinate training and technical assistance needs to ensure that KIND and subcontractors are providing eligible unaccompanied children with high quality legal representation in accordance with the pursuant contract. The Project Manager will report to the Deputy Project Director.

This position is contingent upon KIND securing a contract pursuant to this proposed RFP.

This a headquarters position based remotely from any location in the U.S.

Essential Functions:

Oversee Direct Implementation of Legal Services

Serves as day-to-day point of contact and support for paralegals, attorneys, and interpreters/translators providing direct services to unaccompanied children.
Maintains current knowledge of all relevant laws, policies, and procedures related to the contract’s scope of work, and advises on such.
Provides support to and coordinates with Regional Program Managers to ensure effective, efficient legal services delivery and consistency in implementation of policies and practices across offices.
Supports Deputy Project Director in developing and implementing priorities, guidelines, and procedures in support of legal services provision, including pro bono facilitation and direct legal services.
Supports project leadership in monitoring cases and legal services providers’ progress toward achieving performance goals under the contract to meet customer (ORR) requirements. Ensures that all tasks are completed and deadlines met.

Assist in Coordinating Training and Technical Assistance

Works with project leadership and legal services staff to identify training needs for legal services providers.
Informs training and technical assistance development and implementation.

Support Project Administration

Coordinate and collaborate with Operations, Finance, Development, Technology, and Human Resources teams, as needed.
Supports Senior Project Director and Deputy Project Director with administrative tasks, including developing meeting agendas, taking notes, tracking follow-ups, implementing project management and task-tracking systems, and setting clear objectives for all internal stakeholders overseeing work under the contract.

Qualifications and Requirements:

Juris Doctor (J.D.) required, with at least five years of experience in immigration legal services.
At least two years of experience in programmatic and/or budgetary management.
At least three years of experience in direct service delivery work with youth and trauma-informed care.
At least three years of experience supporting legal staff, preferably in diffuse locations.
U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Experience with implementing federal contracts preferred.
Direct knowledge of and experience working with the Administration for Children & Families, or the Office of Refugee Resettlement, preferred.
Proven ability to navigate successfully in complex, fast-paced organizations.
Experience managing large and cross-functional project teams.
Ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, and communication styles. Committed to prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as embracing transparency and authenticity in daily work life and across employees, team members, and partner organizations.
Knowledge of project management methodologies and tools. Operational experience with program/project metrics tracking and reporting strongly preferred.
Experience working with nongovernmental organizations, ideally those working in the child welfare, refugee, or humanitarian immigration context, preferred.
Exceptional communication skills in English, both verbal and written, and ability to present in a professional and persuasive manner.
Ability to work independently and meet deadlines with minimal guidance and delegate as appropriate.
Job requires 25% travel, including to Washington, D.C., for candidates not based in that metropolitan area.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (such as Teams, Excel, Visio etc.).
Committed to practicing and supporting wellbeing and a work-home life balance.
Experience working and communicating in a remote environment.

Salary Range: $120,000 – $140,000 dependent on experience

Benefits: Discover the perks of working for KIND:

Benefits: Discover the perks of working for KIND

KIND requires all U.S. based staff be COVID vaccinated with the exception of those who have medical or religious beliefs exemptions.

Application Instructions:

In order to be considered for the desired role please apply using this link:
https://supportkind.clearcompany.com/careers/jobs/819c181e-5fb6-7629-2567-53d3576a0962/apply?source=2681452-CS-53052

Please submit an employment application along with your resume and cover letter.

KIND has an organization-wide commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We strive to create a work environment where everyone has a sense of belonging. Individuals from historically underrepresented or underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Disclaimer: KIND is committed to an ethical recruitment and hiring process and maintains a firm “no fees” recruitment policy. We will never charge a fee or ask for money as part of the application process. KIND also conducts all interviews via telephone or video conference, and at no time will KIND engage in a text or mobile app-based application or interview process. For more information, please visit the following website: https://supportkind.org/join-the-team/kind-employment-practices/.