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 seeks a Social Services Coordinator to work with KIND’s child clients and their families to identify needs and gaps in services, assist families in accessing services related to education, health, mental health, housing, mediation, and childcare and provide leadership in establishing and sustaining relationships with local and state social services partners.
This position is contingent upon continued funding.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Undergraduate degree in Social Work or related field, preferably in counseling, or related specialty.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience working with children, preferably unaccompanied minors, immigrant and refugee children.
• Ability to work collaboratively, and preferably, prior experience working with attorneys, law firms, or other legal service providers.
• Strong communication skills.
• Experience working with teams of social service providers and advocating on behalf of clients.
• Ability to verbalize and implement therapeutic-focused strategies for children/families.
• Ability to effectively conduct trainings in person and virtually, including attorney training and presentations for child clients.
• Familiarity or ability to work with adult caretakers, or training in trauma-informed parenting.
• Ability to manage, create and oversee various events that aim towards bringing resources and services to child clients.
• Ability to network with local coalitions to establish strong relationships to allow for cross-referrals.
• Ability to travel as assigned.
• Ability to work within an office environment, have regular interaction via telephone, teleconference, IM, and email with KIND’s team, and have in-person meetings with clients
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English (and Spanish - required for direct communication with the children we serve and their caregivers, the majority of whom are Spanish-speaking).
• 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 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 preferred but not required.

• Develops and maintains a knowledge base of social services available to clients in assigned work areas.
• Develops relationships with community coalitions in areas of high client concentration.
• Establishes working relationships and partnerships with local service providers and administrators in each service area to enhance the referral process.
• Conducts assessments of referred clients, including the larger context in which the child is living, identifying needs, barriers, and safety concerns.
• Maintains documentation regarding attempts to access services and service delivery.
• Tracks and reports client data, outreach actions and outcomes, and general information for program evaluation, performance quality, and development purposes.
• Completes referrals to services, assists families in completing intake requirements for these services, and follow up as necessary.
• Assists KIND legal staff in working with families in crisis and transition.
• Works with other KIND Social Services Coordinators nationally to develop best practices, protocols, and provide training and support on relevant topics for KIND staff.
• Conducts training to support pro bono attorneys and community social providers.
• Works closely with other legal services providers, law firms, corporations, and law schools in relevant jurisdiction(s) to identify and support resource-sharing amongst these partner agencies.
• Supervises interns and volunteers.
• Other duties as assigned.