Administrative Assistant- Remote

Innovative Human Rights NGO Seeks Resourcing Refugee Leadership Initiative (RRLI) Administrative Assistant

About 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. Collectively, the initiative aims to assist 45 RLOs to access 20 million USD across 10 countries in 5 years and unlock 20 million USD for RLOs around the world. We were the recent recipient of the USD 10 million Larsen Lam ICONIQ Impact Award, which has kickstarted the effort, and have already awarded 3.6 million in grants to 17 refugee-led organizations.

Position Description

The Administrative Assistant provides key support to RRLI’s mission, helping RRLI team members to carry out program activities that center inclusivity and accessibility. During RRLI’s grantmaking cycle in the first half of the year, the Administrative Assistant focuses on providing logistical aid to the Programs Team and Coalition as they assess applications and select new grantees. When the grantmaking cycle is over, the Administrative Assistant carries out other tasks in support of RRLI’s team and mission as described below.

The Administrative Assistant reports directly to the Coalition Lead.

Key Responsibilities

Grantmaking Administration

• Create and maintain a system to collect and store application materials in alignment with standards of confidentiality and in alignment with Coalition Standard Operating Procedures
• Provide logistical assistance to the Programs team to carry out the grantmaking cycle, including scheduling interviews and meetings and drafting correspondence as needed
• Create and track grantmaking calendars
• Create and maintain an automated system to remind grantees of when reporting is due
• Carry out other administrative tasks as needed related to the grantmaking cycle

Financial Administration

• Help RRLI’s Finance Manager and Program Officers in disbursing funds to grantees through soliciting and tracking necessary information, and filling out needed forms

Other Administrative Tasks

• Monitor Coalition email account, responding to and forwarding inquiries when necessary
• Ensure bilingual nature of Coalition activities through translation of materials using software or through liaising with translators as needed
• Aidt RRLI team in organizing virtual and in person events through coordination of logistical elements
• Schedule and organize Coalition and working group meetings
• Take meeting minutes at Coalition meetings and working group meetings
• Coordinate RRLI team and Coalition travel arrangements as needed
• Support the RRLI team with other administrative tasks as needed

Reports to: The Resourcing Leadership Initiative Coalition Lead.

Required Qualifications:

• Prior experience working not-for-profit organization or in philanthropy;
• Strong planning and organization skills, with great attention to detail;
• Ability to coordinate across cultures, languages, and time zones;
• Passion and significant interest in forced displacement issues;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion;
• Notable initiative to work effectively independently and collaboratively in a team environment;
• Fluency in English and the ability to demonstrate excellent oral and writing skills;
• Cultural competence and intelligence, ability to work well in a diverse, multicultural workforce;
• 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 Latin America, Africa, or the Middle East.

Compensation

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

Application Instructions to Candidates

Please send your resume, cover letter, and a brief writing sample in English. In your cover letter, please describe your reasons for applying, relevant qualifications, preferred location, and how you learned about the position.

Asylum Access is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We value the expertise of those who have experienced displacement, and encourage people with such lived experience to apply.

For more information about our organization, visit www.asylumaccess.org_._