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. KIND provides pro bono legal representation and promotes positive systemic change in both law and policy to improve the protection of unaccompanied immigrant and refugee children. Its psychosocial services program ensures that migrant and refugee children – who have often endured trauma – receive counseling, educational support, medical care and other comprehensive services.

Building on its successful model in the Americas, in Europe KIND partners with expert legal organizations and private sector pro bono attorneys in the UK and Greece, France, Ireland, and Italy to provide legal assistance to unaccompanied and separated children, and advocates for EU law, policy, and practical measures consistent with children’s rights and vulnerabilities, in partnership with a Brussels based expert organization.

Due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as well as increased migration in the region, unaccompanied and separated children arriving in Polard or at its border are facing significant protection challenges and have unmet legal needs. KIND seeks to establish a presence in Poland to support the rights and needs of migrant children, and to advocate for policies grounded in child protection and children’s rights. KIND will bring its experience to bear in working with unaccompanied and separated children, including survivors of trauma, addressing the legal and mental health needs of this population, engaging in capacity building with government and NGO agencies, and advocating for systemic and practical reforms to advance the rights of unaccompanied and separated children.  

Position Summary:

KIND seeks an Attorney to provide expert legal services on a range of legal issues facing unaccompanied and separated children in Poland, including but not limited to children fleeing Ukraine, such as international protection, immigration issues, guardianship, options for children from Ukraine aging out of institutional care, family reunification, age assessments, detention, and other issues arising. The Attorney will also engage in advocacy to advance protection and rights of unaccompanied children in Poland, and capacity building with government actors and civil society organizations on issues such as child protection, children in the context of migration, and children’s rights.

This position is based in Lublin at the Rule of Law Institute and will work in close coordination with both KIND and the Rule of Law Institute.

This role will consider candidates available full-time or part-time. 

Essential Functions:

• Work with KIND’s Senior Director for Europe, as well as with the Rule of Law Institute to develop criteria for case acceptance.
• Conduct individual legal screenings and accept cases consistent with acceptance criteria.
• Provide legal assistance which will benefit unaccompanied and separated children in Lublin and the surrounding region on a range of issues including guardianship, family reunification, aging out of institutional care, international protection and more.
• Assist to make psychosocial service referrals as needed for children and caregivers.
• Inform unaccompanied and separated children of their rights through individual legal orientation, as well as the possibility of group know your rights sessions, and creation and sharing of information for children on their rights.
• Perform functions of legal counsel, including legal research and formulating the legal strategy for the case; conducting client interviews; appearing before relevant courts or agencies; and drafting and filing legal documents and applications for benefits.
• In coordination with the Rule of Law Institute liaise with relevant government authorities and agencies, and other stakeholders as necessary to advance and advocate for individual cases and systems that advance the best interests of unaccompanied and separated children. Advocate for policies and practices that protect children and are consistent with their rights.
• Engage in training and capacity strengthening work with government and NGOs and other relevant actors regarding the rights of unaccompanied and separated children and child protection. Liaise with the relevant local, Ukrainian, EU or international authorities and support necessary processes for children seeking family reunification to be reunified in Poland or another country when in their best interests.
• In coordination with the Senior Director for Europe and the Pro Bono Manager for Europe, determine whether there may be opportunities for private sector pro bono attorneys to support cases of unaccompanied and separated children; if yes, then recruit, train and mentor pro bono attorneys and build relationships between KIND and the pro bono community.
• Ensure entry of timely, accurate, and detailed case data into KIND’s case management systems, and provide quantitative and qualitative information as needed to support project reporting requirements and other functions.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Qualified to practice law in Poland.
• Bilingual in Polish and English. Ukrainian or Russian language skills are an additional benefit.
• Minimum 2 years' experience working with vulnerable populations, e.g., survivors of trauma, abuse, or human trafficking, or refugees. Experience working with children is highly desirable.  
• Minimum 5 years working as a lawyer in Poland, with substantial experience involving family law, child custody, guardianships, children in the care system, or migration.
• Strong record of cultural competence and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and persuasively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to take initiative, multi-task, and work independently.
• Ensure delivery on our core mission of access to justice and protection of children’s wellbeing and rights.
• Ability to multi-task and work with a sense of urgency in a dynamic, fast paced environment.
• Experience working and communicating in a remote environment.
• Experience working in partnership with different organizations and collaborative efforts, and in developing and maintaining relationships with a range of stakeholders.

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

Application Instructions:

Please be advised that an employment application will need to be submitted along with your resume and cover letter, in order to be considered for the desired role. (Acceptable to request writing sample for certain roles).

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.