About KIND
Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is a global leader in the protection of unaccompanied and separated children who are forcibly displaced from their countries of origin. Launched in 2008, KIND champions a world in which every child’s rights and well-being are protected throughout their journey to safety.

Building on its extensive programming and successful model in the United States, KIND is expanding in the Americas and Europe to bring its experience to bear in working with unaccompanied and separated children. Our work focuses on addressing the legal and mental health needs of this population; building strong partnerships and engaging in training and capacity strengthening with governments, NGOs, and the private sector; and advocating for systemic and pragmatic reforms to advance the rights of unaccompanied and separated children.

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 deliver high-quality, trauma-informed services consistently and efficiently.

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 likely significantly increase post-release services for unaccompanied children crossing into the U.S.

KIND seeks a Deputy Project Director, Federal Contract, to support the Senior Project Director, Federal Contract, in managing a large, complex federal services contract. The incumbent will oversee referrals, coordinate legal services, and serve as the primary liaison for government and other stakeholders on programmatic questions regarding referring cases for representation. The Deputy Project Director, Federal Contract is responsible for ensuring that KIND provides eligible unaccompanied children with legal representation in accordance with this contract. This position reports to the Senior Project Director.

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

Essential Functions

Coordinate Referrals and Legal Services
Serves as deputy to the Senior Project Director, Federl Contracts overseeing a large, complex federal services contract
Oversees referrals from a variety of stakeholders to ensure that eligible unaccompanied children receive legal representation, and that no duplication of efforts exists
Serves as primary liaison for government and other stakeholders on programmatic questions regarding referring cases for representation
Devise and operationalizes effective and efficient systems to assess and place unaccompanied children with legal representation under the contract through KIND, subcontractors, and pro bono volunteers
Supervises and supports Regional Program Managers in overseeing legal service providers’ performance
Develops processes and best practices for coordinating referrals and matching eligible unaccompanied children with legal representation
Works with Regional Managers to ensure quality and consistency across all locations
Oversee Program Performance and Data Management
Works with Regional Program Managers, Management and Evaluation Associate, and legal services providers to ensure the delivery of high-quality services, monitor performance metrics and goal completion, and comply with ORR reporting requirements
Oversees data management for services to unaccompanied children under the contract (may require accessing unaccompanied children’s contact information in ORR databases to coordinate referrals for legal services)
Guides and monitors workloads, sets priorities, and establishes effective workflows to meet program deliverables
Facilitates collection of quantitative and qualitative performance data for analysis and reporting
Presents legal services activities, progress, and challenges to the project’s senior leadership
Attains a high level of understanding of KIND’s mission and programmatic functions to communicate effectively with project senior leaders and stakeholders and provide advice
Lead Internal Team and Oversee Program Administration
Oversees program implementation and administration, including liaising with Operations, Finance, Development, and Human Resources teams
Works with the Senior Project Director, Federal Contract and Finance staff on budget monitoring
Resolves conflicts effectively, while encouraging a healthy team environment
Supports Senior Project Director, Federal Contract in convening internal contract-related meetings, including supporting agenda development, implementing project management and task-tracking systems, and setting clear objectives for all internal stakeholders overseeing work under the contract

Qualifications And Requirements

Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field required, with a minimum of 5 years of experience in legal services program management
Juris Doctor (J.D.) preferred
Minimum of 5 years of experience in data management and oversight
Minimum of 3 years of experience overseeing performance and tracking deliverables, hiring, planning, and project implementation
Willing to undergo background checks and/or security clearances, if needed, to access ORR databases
U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Experience managing large, complex federal contracts, and/or significant state and local funded initiatives, and serving as the lead in project, program and/or portfolio management, strongly preferred
Knowledge of project management methodologies and tools. Operational experience with program/project metrics tracking and reporting, strongly preferred
Direct knowledge of and experience working with the Administration for Children & Families, or the Office of Refugee Resettlement, 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
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, etc.)
Ability to work collaboratively and multi-task in our KIND environment, managing numerous priorities and emerging opportunities
Excellent organizational skills with the ability to work on multiple projects in a deadline-oriented environment; ability to prioritize tasks and delegate as appropriate
Ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, and communication styles
Commitment to prioritizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, as well as embracing transparency and authenticity in daily work life.
Be disciplined and nimble to ensure delivery on our core mission of access to justice and protection of children’s wellbeing and rights
Ability to multitask and work with a sense of urgency in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
Committed to practicing and supporting wellbeing and a work-home life balance.
Experience working and communicating in a remote environment.

Our Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance with KIND paying 100% of the employee only portion of the premium for one of the two medical plan options, dental, and vision
Pre-tax flexible spending account (FSA) for both medical and dependent care
Pre-tax transit and parking spending account
Employer-paid life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance
Employer-paid short and long-term disability insurance

For a complete list of benefits, please click here.

Our Focus on Wellness

KIND recognizes that our ability to help our clients starts with helping our team members. KIND has prioritized wellness for employees through Mindfulness and Wellness Trainings, Wellness Platforms, Employee Assistance and Resilience Programs, Time Away and Office Wellness Activities.

For more information regarding our Wellness initiatives please visit this link.

Application Instructions

To be considered for this role, please submit an employment application at supportkind.org/join-the-team, 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/.

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)

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Deputy Project Director, Federal Contract