Program Officer – RRLI At Asylum Access

Asylum Access believes it’s time to put power back in the hands of people who have been forcibly displaced from their home countries.

Our unique combination of legal empowerment, policy advocacy and global systems change creates conditions in which refugees can live safely, move freely, work legally and go to school. By supporting refugees as they assert their rights, we help restore their power and agency. Our work transforms the traditional approach of endless humanitarian handouts to a sustainable solution that honors refugees’ freedom, dignity and autonomy, and empowers them to make choices about their own lives.

Asylum Access’ global team and family of local civil society organizations advocate to make human rights a reality for refugees throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America. Our national organizations are led and staffed primarily by community members in those countries, and there is strong mutual trust and respect between us and our clients. On the international stage, we work with established institutions to shift the global system to better uphold and promote refugees’ human rights. We can help catalyze and lead systemic transformation because, uniquely among NGOs in the refugee response sector, we focus exclusively on rights and governance.

Project Description

The Resourcing Refugee Leadership Initiative (RRLI) is a six-organization strong global coalition dedicated to shifting power and resources to refugee-led organizations (RLOs). The initiative is convened by Asylum Access, and includes 5 prominent RLOs around the world: Basmeh & Zeitooneh in Lebanon, Saint Andrew’s Refugee Services (StARS) in Egypt, Refugiados Unidos in Colombia, Refugees and Asylum Seekers Information Centre (RAIC) in Indonesia, and Young African Refugees for Integral Development (YARID) in Uganda. Together, the initiative aims to assist 45 RLOs to access 40 million USD across 10 countries in 5 years. We were the recent recipient of the USD 10 million Larsen Lam ICONIQ Impact Award, which has kickstarted the effort, and funded the administration of the project, including this position.

The RRLI coalition is hiring a five-person team (Project Lead, Finance Manager, Program Officer, Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, and Communications Coordinator) to manage implementation. This team will be accountable to the coalition, and will sit on the Asylum Access staff.

Position Description

The Program Officer will be a key team member in ensuring the success of the Resourcing Refugee Leadership Initiative. The Program Officer liases grant applicants and grant recipients, ensuring RLO grantees can maneuver the grantmaking process successfully. This will include assisting the development of applications, and referring RLOs for capacity building opportunities. The Program Officer coordinates a network embracing of all fund recipients, including facilitating information and knowledge sharing across the network. Additionally, the Program Officer will provide assistance to and report to the Coalition Lead.

Key Responsibilities

Advertising Grant Opportunities:

• Assist coalition members in advertising for funding opportunities with RLOs in target countries, including by developing comprehensive and accessible advertising materials.
• Assist the organization of inclusive and accessible webinars for advertising grantmaking opportunities.

Liaise with Grant Applicants and Grant Recipients:

• Work with RRLI Coalition members and grantees to ensure all applications and reporting obligations are met by prospective and current grantees.
• Conduct due diligence of all grantees, ensuring the collection and storage of all applications materials.
• Offer aid to grantees in preparing applications and reports, as necessary, in a thoughtful manner.
• Liaising with coalition members to identify areas for capacity building in alignment with RRLI Standard Operating Procedures.
• Liaise between RLO grantees and RRLI Finance Manager to answer questions related to budgets and financial reporting.
• Provide assistance to the RLO-to-RLO fund applicants in preparing applications, conducting due diligence, and coordinating reporting.

Administration and Knowledge Management:

• Prepare coalition members for application review and approvals, including by presenting roster of applicants on regular basis
• Track grantmaking calendars
• Create automated system to remind grantees of when reporting is due
• Store all due diligence, application and grantmaking materials in alignment with knowledge management Standard Operating Procedures

Network Building:

• Assist the coalition members in verifying and documenting the understanding of RLO landscape in each region of operation (North Africa, East Africa, Middle East, Southeast Asia, South America).
• Design the development of the RLO-to-RLO network of the fund grantees.
• Facilitate cross-cohort knowledge and opportunity exchange.
• Facilitate alliances between grant recipients and potential stskrohlers as advised by the coalition members.

Reports to: The Resourcing Leadership Initiative Coalition Lead.

Required Qualifications:

• Prior experience working at a not-for-profit organization or foundation
• Exceptional relational skills, with an ability to develop and maintain nuanced relationships according to interests, requirements, and need;
• Passion and significant interest in forced displacement issues;
• Exceptional coordination and organizational skills;
• Notable initiative and ability to take ownership of projects, manage multiple deadlines, and work effectively independently and collaboratively in a team environment;
• Fluency in English and the ability to demonstrate excellent oral and writing skills;
• Time management and organizational skills;
• Cultural competence and intelligence, ability to work well in a diverse, multicultural workforce;
• Exceptional willingness to ensure meaningful participation, inclusion and engagement for all team members and external partners;
• Fluency in Spanish and/or Arabic is a significant plus;
• Prior experience working with refugee-led organizations or involvement in community-led initiatives is an asset;

The ideal candidate must have experienced forced displacement.

Hours and Location of Work

This is a full-time remote position and candidates should be aware that flexibility regarding

working hours is required in order to take off hours calls and meetings with international

colleagues. The Program Officer should be located in the Middle East, Africa, or Latin America.

Compensation

The position comes with a well-paying nonprofit salary commensurate with experience, and suitable to the location of the Program Officer. The Program Officer will also receive a robust benefits package.