• Position: Refugee Project Policy Associate
• Location: USA, UK, or Switzerland (with preference for Washington, DC, USA or Geneva, Switzerland). There is no relocation or sponsorship support for this position; candidates must have the legal right to work in the country where they are applying.
• Hours: Full-time;
• Closing date for applications: Rolling;
• Remuneration: Competitive with benefits package provided including unlimited leave policy and flexible working arrangements.

Description

Independent Diplomat (ID) is a unique non‐profit venture in the world of international relations, diplomacy and conflict prevention. Staffed by former diplomats, international lawyers and experts in international relations, ID offers independent and confidential advice and assistance on diplomatic technique and strategy to governments, political groups, international institutions, and non‐governmental organizations. Our vision is to contribute to a more inclusive and equitable diplomatic system that responds to the needs and priorities of those most affected by crises and conflicts.

ID’s staff are at the forefront of some of the world’s most urgent international crises and foreign policy challenges.  We are engaged in conflict resolution in areas including, but not limited to, Ukraine, Yemen, Mali, and Myanmar.  Our staff are tackling major shared global threats: such as climate change and internet freedom.  And we are seeking to make the system of diplomacy fairer through our effort to improve the working methods of the UN Security Council, ensure meaningful inclusion of women in peace processes, and assist refugees to lead global refugee policy development.

Our staff work day-to-day with the groups and governments with whom we partner, providing advice, negotiating support and strategy. ID currently has a presence in New York, London, Brussels, Washington D.C., Panama City, and Geneva.

Job Purpose

Independent Diplomat is recruiting a Policy Associate for its Refugee Project.  Launched in 2016, ID’s Refugee Project works to fundamentally change the international system of refugee policymaking to ensure the systematic and comprehensive inclusion of refugees. This work is predicated on the idea that meaningful engagement of legitimate refugee voices in policymaking will enable lasting, systemic change to improve the global refugee response system, in the interest of human dignity and social justice.  To do this, ID works in partnership with refugee-led organizations (RLOs) in six focus countries – Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Jordan, Egypt, and Turkey.  We support our RLO partners to conduct diplomacy at local, national, regional, and global levels.

Role Description

The Refugee Project Policy Associate will work under the supervision of the Refugee Project Manager to provide administrative assistance to ID’s refugee team and to support the smooth functioning of the project, which spans globally. Responsibilities will include:

• Schedule and set up meetings, both internally and externally
• Maintain administrative and scheduling contacts and relationships across ID’s operations and projects, including contact databases
• Make travel arrangements, including flights, hotels, and lodging, for partners internationally
• Plan and coordinate logistics for international project visits, including support to ID partners
• Provide in-person admin support during key meetings and convenings, especially if based in Geneva
• Maintain grant reporting calendars in coordination with the finance team
• Coordination of translation and interpretation
• Track project outputs across different donors and geographic regions
• Assist with social media and traditional media, including creating a social media calendar, tracking engagement, reaching out and coordinating with journalists and media outlets, and maintaining and growing a media contact database

Skills & Abilities

• University degree in a related field;
• 0-2 years of experience and a demonstrated interest in international affairs and refugee issues;
• Fluency in English. Proficiency in other languages, especially Arabic, French, Spanish, Turkish, Amharic, and/or Swahili, is a plus;
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite;
• Technologically savvy;
• Strong attention to detail;
• Ability to perform several tasks concurrently with ease and professionalism;
• Ability to work independently to meet deadlines;
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and work ethic with strong client service orientation;
• Must maintain confidentiality and security;
• Prepared to work with a geographically diverse team over different time zones (international travel may be required);
• Able to solve problems with minimal guidance, comfortable working for a supervisor who is remotely located;
• Commitment to Independent Diplomat’s mission;
• Candidates with a background of forced displacement are particularly encouraged to apply.

We are a small and nimble team, and the successful candidate will bring enthusiasm and flexibility to the role.

Independent Diplomat is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions based on qualification and merit.  Our objective is to encourage diversity and have the best available person in every job.  ID’s policy prohibits discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, sex (including pregnancy), religion, marital status, familial status, age, alienage or citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, sexual orientation, military status, domestic violence victim status or any other unlawful consideration.

Applications

Please send applications to sophia.petros@independentdiplomat.org and reference “Refugee Project Policy Associate” in the subject line.  Applications should include a CV and a succinct letter detailing your interest in, and qualifications for the position.  The CV should include the names and contact details of two references.  Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.  Due to volume, all applications will not be acknowledged, but those chosen for interviews will be contacted further.  The identity of applicants will be held in strictest confidence.  No phone calls please.

By submitting an application for the position of Refugee Project Policy Associate at ID, you expressly consent to ID processing the personal data contained in your application, including, but not limited to, the information contained in any cover letter, curriculum vitae, resume or references.  We will hold your information securely and use it only to process your application.  When the post has been filled, ID will erase your personal data securely. For further information about ID’s Data Protection Policy, including why and how we process and transfer personal data, and your rights with respect to your personal data, please refer to our website at www.independentdiplomat.org