RRLI Fundraising Officer

Innovative Human Rights NGO Seeks Resourcing Refugee Leadership Initiative Fundraising Officer (Remote)

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.

About RRLI

The Resourcing Refugee Leadership Initiative (RRLI) is a coalition of six refugee-led organizations (RLOs) across six countries, with a mission to support displaced communities to shape and influence the response to forced displacement. Our vision is a world where people who have experienced forced displacement have agency over their lives and access to dignified, sustainable solutions. We drive impact through four key strategies: financial support through our Refugee Leadership Fund, strengthening programs, advocacy, and evidence generation. The initiative is convened by Asylum Access, and includes 5 prominent RLOs around the world: Basmeh & Zeitooneh (B&Z) 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.

Position Description

The RRLI Fundraising Officer will play a pivotal role in RRLI’s mission by leading efforts to identify, cultivate, and secure new funding opportunities. This role primarily involves research and development of funding prospects and partnerships, with a focus on maintaining effective, long-term donor relationships. The RRLI Fundraising Officer will also support key processes such as proposal development and record-keeping, essential for advancing RRLI’s financial sustainability and strategic goals. The position is also expected to provide strategic and operational aid to RRLI coalition members and grantee partners to ensure alignment with organizational goals and enhanced program impact.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Fundraising and Pipeline Development (70%)

• Take the lead in identifying new funding opportunities that align with RRLI’s vision and strategies.
• Drive research to identify potential high-impact donors and funding sources, with a focus on diverse philanthropy and governmental funding streams.
• Explore and evaluate a range of fundraising models, including philanthropic foundations, government grants, and corporate partnerships, to diversify RRLI’s revenue.
• Regularly track,evaluate, and report on fundraising performance, using data to refine strategies and meet targets.
• Maintain detailed records of donor engagement, funding pipelines, and key contacts in RRLI’s donor management system.
• Collaborate with RRLI coalition members to identify opportunities for joint fundraising initiatives and leverage their networks and expertise to secure additional funding. For example, coordinate with coalition members to organize donor engagement events that showcase the collective impact of RRLI programs.

Donor and Partnership Cultivation (30%)

• AssistRRLI’s efforts to build and leverage strategic partnerships that strengthen fundraising, including travel when needed.
• Cultivate relationships with existing and prospective donors, ensuring consistent communication and alignment with RRLI’s mission.
• Partner with internal teams on proposal creation to ensure they meet donor priorities and reflect RRLI’s values.
• Coordinate with coalition members to align strategies, contribute insights, and maximize fundraising opportunities for collective impact.
• Assist in preparing content for RRLI’s annual reports and other organizational reports as needed.

Reports to: RRLI Director of Partnerships

Minimum Qualifications:

• Demonstrated a history of impact in fundraising leadership and stewardship of donors.
• Proven experience in fundraising, grant writing, or donor relations, particularly in humanitarian or development sectors.
• Strong identification with RRLI’s values, mission, and vision.
• High level of initiative, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and work independently and collaboratively in a virtual team environment.
• Fluency in English and the ability to demonstrate excellent writing skills.
• Effective time management and organizational skills.
• Cultural competence, ability to work well in a diverse, multicultural workforce.
• Comfortable using digital tools and software for remote collaboration.
• Strong analytical and observational skills and ability to think creatively, take initiative, and react to situations with flexibility

Preferred Qualifications:

• Over 5 years of professional experience in fundraising, resource mobilization, or donor engagement, particularly in the humanitarian or development sectors.
• Personal experience of forced displacement or deep familiarity with the challenges and strengths of refugee-led organizations.
• Experience working with international teams and stakeholders across multiple regions, particularly in the global refugee response sector.
• Fluency in languages in addition to English, such as Spanish or Arabic, to support engagement with diverse donors and partners.
• Demonstrated success in securing multi-year grants, unrestricted funding, or other innovative funding models that align with RRLI’s mission and strategies.

Hours and Location of Work

This is a full-time remote position based in one of the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Kenya, Mexico, Netherlands, Spain, Thailand, Uganda, or Zimbabwe.

The RRLI Fundraising Officer position is a full-time, exempt role. We anticipate that the role will take approximately 40 hours per week.

Compensation

We are open to candidates in a variety of locations, but RRLI team members typically keep working hours of 9:00AM to 5:00PM GMT, except for candidates in the Western Hemisphere who work from 8:00AM to 4:00PM in their time zone. Note that employment arrangements and contract details may differ based on location. All candidates, regardless of location, should be aware that some flexibility regarding working hours is required in order to take out-of-hours calls and meetings with international colleagues.

The position comes with a well-paying nonprofit salary based on location, with an annual salary for US-based candidates of USD 68,400. The offered salary will be calculated based on location and offered in local currency. Generous paid time off policies and healthcare coverage appropriate to the location will also be offered.

Asylum Access is committed to paying competitive salaries and upholding sustainable equity practices. Due to the ways in which salary negotiations perpetuate existing structural inequities, Asylum Access as a practice does not participate in salary negotiations for any candidate.

Application Instructions to Candidates

Please upload a resume, cover letter, and brief writing sample in English. In your cover letter, please describe your reasons for applying, relevant qualifications, 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_._

Keywords

FundraisingDonor RelationsHumanitarianDevelopmentRefugee-led OrganizationsPartnershipsGrantsFinancial SupportAdvocacyResearchPhilanthropy