Staff Attorney

Position: Staff Attorney
Position Percentage: Full-time
Hiring Manager: Deputy Director
Location: Tel Aviv, Israel
Start Date: January 2026

Job Description

We are seeking a Staff Attorney to lead and coordinate the organization’s gender-based violence (GBV) prevention work. The Staff Attorney will work to advance the rights of asylum seekers in Israel and provide legal representation to asylum seekers, with a particular focus on supporting women and developing a GBV prevention program. The position includes litigation, provision of professional legal counsel, and ongoing collaboration with the legal team and external stakeholders, grounded in a commitment to human rights and gender equality.

Key Responsibilities

• Legal counseling and representation of asylum seekers, with priority given to cases involving gender-based violence, including litigation in courts and relevant legal forums.
• Ongoing engagement with the asylum-seeking community and promotion of community-based initiatives, with an emphasis on initiatives led by women.
• Independent management of complex legal cases and strategic legal proceedings.
• Ongoing professional coordination and collaboration with the organization’s team.
• Promotion and development of professional partnerships with relevant organizations, public bodies, and external partners.

Position Requirements

• Licensed attorney.
• Ability to work full-time.
• Familiarity with immigration and legal status law in Israel, and at least three years of litigation experience.
• Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills, including the ability to promote internal and external collaboration.
• Commitment to human rights, gender equality, and work with vulnerable populations.
• Ability to work independently with strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Fluency in Hebrew and English; proficiency in Arabic – an advantage.
• Experience working with asylum seekers and refugees – an advantage.
• Experience working with women and handling gender-based violence cases – an advantage.

DISCLAIMER:

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills required or permanent location. The successful candidate must be comfortable in a fast-paced, changing work environment with many crucial deadlines. All team members may be required to perform duties outside of their normal work hours of responsibilities as needed.

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 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 • ????? ?????? (Hachnasat Orchim)

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • ??? (Tzedek)

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • ??? (Chesed)

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • ?????? (Chevruta)

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • ???? (Ometz)

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • ??? (Ruach)

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. 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, political orientation, or other legally protected status.