POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS seeks a Lead, Domestic Programs to oversee all components related to the programmatic success of HIAS’ legal, asylum and resettlement programs, based out of its United States operations.

This role has leadership responsibility for all HIAS’ US programs, including those managed through affiliates and partners to include social and legal service agencies across the United States.

Given shifting funding streams and the ever-changing external context, the incumbent brings deep sector experience to redesigning and delivering HIAS’ strategy, structure and operations for all of its’ domestic programming.  Further, the Lead, Domestic Programs works closely with the Chief Programs Officer and Programs Leadership, to enhance and strengthen the impact of HIAS’ programs both in the United States and around the world, sharing best practices, ensuring coherence across sector specific programing and generating new evidence in durable solutions programming and protection solutions.

With a deep technical knowledge of the global resettlement landscape and processes, the role holder will oversee HIAS’ durable solutions programming and represent HIAS in global fora where resettlement expertise, both processing and integration, and an understanding of complementary pathways are required.

Serving as a member of the HIAS Leadership Team, the Lead, Domestic Programs will manage a team of professionals who are subject experts in resettlement and integration, immigration legal services in the United States, reception and placement and long-term social and economic integration of refugees and asylum seekers. Working closely with Development and Finance colleagues, they must ensure the ongoing effective oversight of all US based and other awards/grants being implemented by the team.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Oversees staff responsible for all programmatic work in the United States, including federal, state and private grants that support resettlement, legal and social services work, as well as along the border and throughout the legal network.
• Oversees State Department’s Resettlement Support Center (RSC) agreement with HIAS.
• Provides thought leadership to ensure that HIAS provides effective and high-quality services to refugees and other forcibly displaced populations, and ensures the organization is able to fulfill the needs of changing populations and other programmatic shifts in new and existing programs.
• Works to diversify funding to support HIAS’ strategic direction and collaborates with teams across divisions to successfully broaden the partnerships and funding that supports HIAS’ US programs and overseas durable solutions programming.
• Provides guidance to colleagues and team members on planning, developing and executing applications for funding, needs assessments, developing program implementation plans, reporting and policy setting for program activities.

• Initiates and develops relevant interdepartmental collaboration and structures to support joint efforts and to enhance cross collaboration efforts.

• Represents HIAS at major durable solutions events and forums, and acts as the formal point of contact for the United States government, and with any other State with durable solution programs, on issues regarding overseas and domestic resettlement processing, reception, placements and integration of refugees and humanitarian parolees.

• Supports the steady growth of the HIAS legal network and provides guidance on the development of programming responsive to potential new policies that directly affect refugees, asylum seekers, asylees and other displaced persons.
• Benchmarks monitoring protocols across programs to ensure high quality operations and appropriate frameworks in place.
• Coordinates with grants management staff to track program and system performance through assessments and performance measures.
• Identifies and manages human resources needs, supervises and evaluates direct reports and provides professional development opportunities that aligns staff with programmatic needs; reviews job descriptions and executes performance reviews among direct reports.
• Seeks and scopes potential opportunities to expand HIAS’ work in other areas within North America, and works with relevant divisions on strategic plans under the guidance of the Chief Programs Officer and in collaboration with Programs and other colleagues, for example in External Relations.
• Works closely with People Operations and Safeguarding to implement HIAS’ international management standards across HIAS domestic programs, including in relation to the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and volunteer program.
• Works closely with cross departments to ensure AAP frameworks and minimum standards are in place.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Graduate degree in Public Policy, Law, International Relations or a relevant field strongly preferred.
• 15+ years of relevant experience, with demonstrated knowledge of refugee resettlement and the US asylum system; previous supervisory and administrative experience required.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills; ability to develop written resource materials on refugee-related topics for funders and relevant stakeholders; ability to read, analyze and interpret reports and legal documents, and ability to disseminate new information from such materials.
• Substantive experience and knowledge of the global resettlement structure and dynamics, specifically as it relates to the US.
• Expertise in recent developments around complementary pathways and labor mobility, as well as a demonstrated track record in integration programing within the US.
• Able to engender the support of a strong staff so that they have the space to excel in their areas of focus.
• Adept at managing multiple budgets, some from federal agencies, required.
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills; ability to organize, coach and guide staff.
• Extensive experience with refugee resettlement programs and prior experience with federal grants and private foundations; familiarity with techniques and methodologies used in anti-poverty, employment and integration programs.
• Solid experience with resettlement processes overseas and familiarity with resettlement processes of countries beyond the US.
• Knowledge of Office 365 Suite.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 15% of the time.

ABOUT US:

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts, and history of the Jewish people – a history of oppression, displacement, and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities, and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history, and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency, and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community, and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission, and values.

VISION:

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety, and opportunity.

MISSION:

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • הכנסת אורחים (Hachnasat Orchim)

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • צדק (Tzedek)

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • חסד (Chesed)

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • חברותא (Chevruta)

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • אומץ (Ometz)

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • רוח (Ruach)

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation, or other legally protected status.