Program Assistant, National Refugee Leadership and Lived Experience Council Program (NRLLEC)

About the National Refugee Leadership and Lived Experience Council Program (NRLLEC)

The NRLLEC is a new program funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) that designs, implements, evaluates, and promotes national-level councils consisting of refugees and other ORR-eligible populations who have resettled into communities throughout the United States within the last five years. The program's primary goal is to positively impact the lives of council members and their refugee and larger communities by building council members' capacity to serve as leaders.

Position Summary

The primary function of the Program Assistant will be to provide administrative support for the NRLLEC Program, by carrying out a range of tasks relating to council-member administrative processes, training sessions, meetings, events, and outreach and marketing activities. This position reports to the NRLLEC Program Director.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist the NRLLEC Program Director and Assistant Director with all aspects of the NRLLEC program, including support for working committees chaired and co-chaired by RC staff and maintaining notes from subcommittee meetings.
• Attend meetings of NRLLEC committees as assigned, and take minutes of meetings.
• Provide administrative support for the NRLLEC Program, and individual councils, including travel arrangements for NRLLEC activities, together with the Finance and Grants Manager.
• Maintain the online filing system and relevant databases for the NRLLEC.
• Provide administrative and logistical support for NRLLEC meetings and events, including an annual in-person gathering of NRLLEC Council members in Washington, DC.
• Other administrative and program support duties, as assigned by the Director of Programs.

Requirements/Qualifications:

• 2-3+ years of relevant work experience
• Experience working with forcibly displaced people
• Strong English oral and written communication skills; other languages a strong asset
• Experience with word processing, spreadsheets, scheduling, videoconferencing, and other related software
• Experience with booking travel and accommodations for large groups
• Demonstrated capacity for working in cross-cultural settings
• Strong organizational, multitasking, and problem-solving skills
• Experience with word processing, spreadsheet, and other related software
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred but not required
• Working knowledge of a language other than English is an asset
• Must be willing to travel occasionally as required
• Must be willing to adjust work hours to include an occasional evening and weekend
• Candidates with direct lived experience of forced displacement are strongly encouraged to apply.

About Refugee Congress

Refugee Congress (RC) is a national nonpartisan organization, built and led by leaders who have experienced forced displacement, that promotes the well-being, inclusion, and dignity of refugees, asylees, and other forcibly displaced peoples (FDPs). Refugee Congress envisions a world where forcibly displaced people are treated with dignity and respect, their contributions are recognized, and their voices are integral to shaping policies that affect their lives. Our mission is to promote the well-being, inclusion, and dignity of refugees, asylees, and other FDPs through leadership development, public education, and advocacy. Through our work, we aim to ensure that policies and programs are more inclusive and equitable by involving those who have experienced forced displacement in their creation.

Location: While this is a remote position, candidates who reside in the Washington DC region are strongly preferred.

Salary Range: $ 50,000 - $55,000. This position is funded by a federal grant from the Office of Refugee Resettlement and is subject to renewed funding on September 30, 2025.

Benefits: Benefits include health, vision, and dental insurance; paid time off; a 403(b); and other competitive benefits.

How to Apply

Please submit a resume and cover letter discussing your interest in the NRLLEC program, Refugee Congress’ mission, and your experiences and skills that qualify you for this position, along with references to jobs@refugeecongress.org, using the subject line “NRLLEC Program Program Assistant.” Please reach out to jobs@refugeecongress.org with any questions. Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications must be submitted by 11:59pm on Thursday, January 16th.

Refugee Congress is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to racial equity, diversity, and inclusion. People of color, women, LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender/gender identity, age, or disability.

For more information about Refugee Congress, please visit our website at www.refugeecongress.org.