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Program Associate

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Refugee Council USA (RCUSA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting efforts to protect and welcome refugees, asylees, asylum-seekers, and other forcibly displaced populations; advocating for just and humane laws and policies; and promoting communication and collaboration among government, civil society and those in need of protection and welcome.

RCUSA has a nearly 20-year history as a coalition, and recently became an independent nonprofit entity, fiscally sponsored by Church World Service. RCUSA’s membership includes the nine national refugee resettlement agencies, plus twenty other organizations that support refugees, people seeking asylum, stateless persons, and other displaced populations. Our diverse membership is grounded in the principles of international protection and welcome that are embodied in a commitment to support and resettle refugees and other displaced persons in the United States. RCUSA has a small staff whose activities complement the work of a very active set of membership committees.

Position Summary

RCUSA is looking for a highly motivated and team-oriented Program Associate to provide support for projects, partnerships, committees, advocacy, communications, and member engagement.  The Program Associate will engage with a broad range of members, partners, and other stakeholders including non-profits and government agencies. Reporting to the Interim Executive Director, the Program Associate will also—as assigned—provide support for the work of Director for Policy and Practice, and the Advocacy and Communications Manager. The incumbent should have experience within the non-profit sector, ideally in the humanitarian, international development, philanthropic, or social service sectors.

The Program Associate will help coordinate the meetings, minutes, and communications associated with RCUSA’s member-led committees and working groups. The Program Associate will assist in the implementation of RCUSA projects and partnerships. The Program Associate will assist with RCUSA’s advocacy and strategic communications, and will take on a range of administrative support tasks, including event planning, member outreach, and generating and tracking consultant contracts, invoices, and member dues.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide research and programmatic support to RUCSA staff, consultants, committees and working groups.
• Support RCUSA partnerships and special projects, including (in 2021-2022) providing administrative and programmatic support for the participation of international civil society organizations in the Annual Tripartite Consultations on Resettlement.
• Assist in the preparation and updating of advocacy and strategic communications materials.
• Interact with other staff, consultants, committees and working groups to arrange and schedule virtual and in-person meetings and events. Duties may include coordinating schedules, preparing meeting materials, setting up Zoom or Teams links and/or computer and A/V equipment, coordinating event logistics, note-taking and post-meeting/event distribution of notes and/or recordings.
• Update and maintain mailing lists, databases, Google groups, and office files – including shared Google Drive folders – and managing inquiries from the general public.
• Participate in meetings with funders and help prepare grant proposals and reports.
• Draft and send documentation such as contacts, dues invoices, and member surveys.
• Prepare and distribute materials in advance of quarterly meetings of the Board of Directors and Annual Member Meetings.
• Perform other administrative duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

Key Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience as a program assistant, program or research associate, or similar position in a nonprofit or advocacy organization, media organization, or research institute.
• Experience with research, event management, and program administration.
• Experience in working with both in-person and remote teams.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.
• Tact, discretion, and experience with working with diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent working knowledge of English, and strong writing ability.
• Demonstrated capacity for working in cross-cultural settings.
• Must be aligned with RCUSA’s mission to protect and welcome refugees, asylees, asylum-seekers, and other forcibly displaced populations.

Preferred Qualifications

• BA or comparable experience in social work, public policy, international affairs, or related area.
• Work experience in the humanitarian, international development, philanthropic, or social service sectors
• Educational background and/or work experience related to refugees, forced migration, or immigration.
• First-person knowledge of the lived experiences of refugee and immigrant communities.
• Working knowledge of a language other than English.

This is a full-time position, with competitive benefits. The position is currently remote, but once RCUSA re-opens a physical office in Washington, DC (within the next one to three months), the Program Associate will be expected to be physically present in the office throughout the week as needed. The successful candidate will be hired through the Church World Service human resources department but will be employed by RCUSA and will report to the Executive Director of RCUSA.

Salary range for this position is $50,000 to $60,000, contingent on applicable skills and relevant experience.

People of color, ethnic minorities, immigrants and refugees, women, and LGBTQIA+ people are particularly encouraged to apply.

To apply, please submit a resume, a cover letter explaining your interest in the position and your qualifications, along with names and contact information for two professional references, at the following website: https://refugeecouncilusa.applytojob.com/apply/1Q5Zds6MH6/Program-Associate

(Note that references will not be contacted until the final stages of the hiring process, and we will notify you before contacting any references.)

Application deadline is October 29. The successful candidate will begin on or about December 1.

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