Bahá’í Service Fellows
As a Bahá’í-inspired organization, the Tahirih Justice Center regularly offers year-long Bahá’í Service Fellowships. The Fellowships were created to enable the Fellows to engage in service to humanity and learn from the work of a well-established, Bahá’í-inspired, non-profit organization. The full-time Fellows who serve in these positions are Bahá’ís who work as paralegals and/or social service case aides, assisting Tahirih’s clients to achieve justice while also becoming involved in the local Bahá’í community.
Qualifications:
- College degree (required)
- Proficiency in a language in addition to English (preference for Spanish and French)
- Excellent English writing, research and problem-solving skills
- Strong communication and organizational skills
- Experience living abroad or working with immigrant communities
- Informed interest in international women’s rights
- Self-motivated, enthusiastic, and flexible
- Eligibility to work in the United States strongly preferred
In limited circumstances, a candidate who is otherwise not eligible to work in the United States may be eligible for a J-1 visa. In this case we will work with fellowship recipient to obtain the documents necessary for them to enter and work in the United States.
Responsibilities:
Testimonials from past Fellows:
“At Tahirih, I grew professionally in my field of interest and developed a concrete understanding of what it means to work towards elevating the status of women.” – Mackenzie Gallaway (Immigration Program Fellow 2009-2010)
“My Baha’i Service Fellowship was a time of great personal growth. It was, and continues to be, one of the most enriching and life-changing experiences I have had. I wouldn’t exchange it for the world!” – Negin Avaregan (Immigration Program Fellow 2007-2008)
- Legal and Social Services Program (Houston, TX)
- Conduct phone screenings, referring cases as appropriate for additional legal screening to Legal Advocate or Attorney
- Work with community partners to coordinate referrals to assist women and girls obtain counseling, legal assistance, medical care, housing and other community services
- Work closely with community partners and Tahirih’s Social Services and Immigration Program staff to ensure that individuals seeking our help are receiving adequate crisis services, safety planning, and legal advocacy
- Gather documentation and communicate with governmental and non-governmental partners to assist clients access Crime Victim Compensation, federal benefits and health care access cards
- Provide direct interpretation support (if appropriate) and coordinate interpreters for clients and service seekers as needed
Manage office voicemail, incoming and outgoing mail, and office supplies - Provide the Houston Director and staff attorneys with administrative support when needed, including faxing, copying, mailings, filing, and research
- Assist in outreach and trainings to build our pro bono medical and interpreter networks and to raise community awareness about gender-based violence and Tahirih’s services
- Represent the Tahirih Justice Center at coalition meetings and community-outreach events; represent Tahirih at the annual Social and Economic Development Conference
- Immigration Program (Washington, DC Area)
- Conducting initial client screenings and intake interviews
- Preparing immigration forms and applications for relief for clients
- Assisting with country conditions research and evidence gathering
- Database entry and management
- General attorney support including administrative tasks such as preparing correspondence, faxing, copying, answering phones, and filing
- Attending and representing the Tahirih Justice Center at coalition meetings and community-outreach events, including the annual Social and Economic Development Conference
- Social Services Program (Washington, DC Area)
- Conducting social service intake interviews for Tahirih clients
- Assisting with social, legal, and medical service referrals
- Database entry and case management
- General social work assistance including administrative tasks such as faxing, copying, mailings, filing, and research
- Managing volunteer database
- Outreach to community clinics and doctors to build our pro-bono medical network
- Attending and representing the Tahirih Justice Center at coalition meetings and community-outreach events, including the annual Social and Economic Development Conference
It is important for the applicant to be aware that all of Tahirih’s clients have faced some form of trauma, such as rape, domestic violence, or female genital mutilation, and that the Fellow’s role will often involve discussing the details of these past experiences.
Compensation for the fellowship includes a nominal salary plus room and partial board provided by local Bahá’í host families. Benefits for the position include medical and dental insurance, accrued paid time off for vacation and sick days, and paid time off for federal holidays.
Houston fellows are required to provide their own transportation.
To apply, please click here to download application.
Financially support a Fellowship at either Tahirih’s Washington, DC Area Office or our Houston, TX Office.
The Farshud Farokhzad Memorial Bahá’í Service Fellowship
This Fellowship will remember the soul of a youth dear to the Northern Virginia Bahá’í community, Farshud Farokhzad, by establishing Tahirih’s first in memoriam fellowship. The Farshud Farokhzad Memorial Bahá’í Service Fellowship will be honoring a youth who was a source of joy in so many people’s lives within the greater Bahá’í community and that of his own family. We look to honor his memory and uplift his soul by dedicating this position of service to him. Support the Farshud Farokhzad Memorial Bahá’í Service Fellowship.
For more information about the Bahá’í Service Fellowships, to speak to a current Bahá’í Service Fellow, or to volunteer to host a Bahá’í Service Fellow as a member of the Bahá’í community local to Tahirih’s Houston, TX or Washington DC area offices please contact us at justice@tahirih.org.
