About IARC

IARC is a specialist community legal centre providing free immigration advice and assistance to people across New South Wales. We provide advice in relation to immigration and domestic and family violence, Family and Humanitarian visas, visa cancellations and citizenship. In partnership with Unions NSW, we support migrant workers at risk of workplace exploitation through the Visa Assist program. IARC also provides free community legal education to workers and the general public.

As a community legal centre, our mission is to help those with the greatest need. Nearly half our clients have experienced or are at risk of family violence. They are financially disadvantaged, come from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and often face multiple layers of disadvantage including homelessness, low education levels and disability. Many have experienced torture and trauma.

About the Role

Since August 2021, IARC has seen a significant surge in demand from the Afghan community in Australia and overseas seeking immigration assistance for themselves and their families.

As part of our crisis response, we have created a new Solicitor position responsible for providing immigration legal advice and representation services to people evacuated from Afghanistan by the Australian Government.

The role is a full time, fixed term position for 12 months and is classified at level 5 of SCHADS Award ($85,083 plus super and loading). Salary packaging is available.

The position is based at the IARC office in the Sydney CBD but may require attendance at outreach locations in Sydney and elsewhere in New South Wales as well as occasional weekend work.

Responsibilities

• Provide immigration legal advice, assistance, and representation services to IARC clients in person and over the telephone in accordance with the IARC legal practice manual and other policies and procedures.
• Assist in the coordination of the Afghanistan response program including intake and triage activities, legal clinics, file management and application lodgement.
• Attend client interviews with the Department of Home Affairs.
• Contribute to the preparation of resources such as information sheets, templates and instruction manuals.
• Provide reporting to management as required.
• Help supervise legal support officers and law student volunteers.
• Attend and contribute to legal practice and staff meetings.
• Undertake administrative tasks as required.
• Perform other duties as reasonably required.

Selection Criteria

Essential

• Holds or is eligible to hold an unrestricted practicing certificate in NSW with at least three years post admission experience, ideally in immigration law.
• Experience working with clients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
• High level verbal and written communication skills and experience working with interpreters.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills and the capacity to quickly develop relationships and rapport with clients and stakeholders.
• Commitment to social justice.
• Experience in working cooperatively as part of a team

Desirable

• Experience working with refugees and asylum-seekers or other people with past experience of trauma.
• Previous experience working in a community legal centre.

How to Apply

To apply, submit your CV with a cover letter or statement addressing the selection criteria in through EthicalJobs. Enquiries about the position can be emailed to the Principal Solicitor, Ali Mojtahedi at [email protected], using the subject line: Solicitor enquiry via EthicalJobs.

We are seeking to complete recruitment for this position as soon as possible and may commence interviews before this posting closes. For that reason, applicants are encouraged to submit the applications early.