Costa Rica: Staff Attorney

HIAS seeks one (1) Costa Rican lawyer to support its mission to provide legal support to asylum seekers and refugees in Costa Rica. The program currently implemented by HIAS in Costa Rica provides asylum seekers and refugees in Costa Rica with information about rights and procedures, refer them for non-legal services, provide legal assistance on the access to basic rights and government services, provide the most vulnerable with individual legal representation on that regard and on the RSD procedures and build the capacity of legal stakeholders to advance refugee protection.

The new attorney will have at least two years of experience in administrative proceedings before government agencies, and in immigration proceedings, preferably with exposure to constitutional law or human rights.

He/she will represent persons of concern in particular cases in which a humanitarian visa or other migratory condition is necessary, as well to the refugee status; assume on call attention of cases at the Southern or Northern borders as well as in ports and airports; support the legal representation activities undertaken by other attorneys at HIAS before the Refugees Unit, Refugees Commission and Administrative Immigration Tribunal; advocate on behalf of asylum seekers and refugees regarding effective access to the exercise of social and economic rights and the enjoyment of the public services legally available to them.

The selected lawyer will hold the position for a period of seven (7) months, with the possibility of extension. The lawyer also provides aid to asylum seekers and refugees through conducting trainings about rights and procedures; providing individual legal representation during first instance, appeal and reconsideration procedures before the government agencies; and performing outreach and coordination with a wide range of stakeholders for legal capacity building.

Please submit your resume and cover letter, including salary expectations, to our website by January 30, 2019.

Essential Functions

• Advice persons of concern in particular cases in which refugee status, a humanitarian visa or other migratory condition is necessary.
• Assume on call attention of cases at the Southern or Northern borders, ports, international airports and Migration Service premises.
• Assume or support the legal representation activities undertaken by HIAS before the Refugees Unit, Refugees Commission and Administrative Immigration Tribunal;
• Undertake advocacy and initiate legal actions and representation so that health, education, labor, among other rights, are properly granted by government entities, in particular with concern to vulnerable groups (SGVB survivors and UASC).
• Hold interviews with beneficiaries to render advice on all matters of refugee law and the effective access to the exercise of social and economic rights and the enjoyment of the public services legally available to them.
• Take action before the constitutional chamber of the Supreme Court, whenever determined necessary by HIAS and in consultation with referring partners.
• Respond to requests from other implementing partners of UNHCR in relation to refugees’ legal protection needs in relation to social and economic rights and public services.
• Attend coordination meetings at legal clinics in order to review cases, procedures, and services provided by these clinics to refugee clients.
• Provide support and information to refugees at the Refugees Technical Unit on days when applications are filed.
• Supervise Legal Fellows to compile information to advocate cases before the government agencies.
• Draft and submit claims for asylum seekers and refugees related to effective access to the exercise of social and economic rights and the enjoyment of the public services legally available to them
• Communicate with Costa Rican authorities on a regular basis regarding updates on cases and changes in procedures.
• Attend meetings and build relationships with legal stakeholders and other partners.
• Mentor and assist Legal Fellows and Volunteer Attorneys as required.
• Assume registration and recording of cases in different databases and preparation of periodic reports as per instructions from the Country Representative or the Managing Attorney.
• Any other task that the Country Representative or Managing Attorney may assign.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Law degree and registration with the Costa Rican bar association.
• Minimum of two (2) years’ administrative law experience.
• Experience with human rights law preferred.
• Experience working with a INGO preferred.
• Excellent oral and written Spanish skills; excellent drafting, analytical and communication skills.
• Experience with asylum or refugee status determination procedures or interviewing vulnerable populations preferred.
• Experience in administrative procedures and in immigration proceedings.
• Knowledge of Costa Rican immigration law, international refugee law, human rights law, constitutional law or public law application preferred.
• Proven capacity of understanding the state of mind, country of origin information and all other social and emotional aspects that challenge the beneficiaries when they are newly arrived in Costa Rica, and the capacity to communicate well with them, throughout the provision of services.
• Capacity to do self-management and work with an efficient time management attitude.
• Ability to flexibly adapt to a changing legal environment and to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Skilled to work focused and carefully with details.
• Strong ability to analyze cases and respond in a timely manner with appropriate legal solutions and possible ways to give an adequate legal answer to the beneficiaries.
• Proficiency in English is preferred (oral, written and spoken).

http://www.hias.org/career-and-internship-opportunities