Program Associate for Protection Services (Temporary)

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: Scholars at Risk (SAR) is an international network of over 600 higher education institutions and associations dedicated to protecting scholars and promoting higher education values worldwide. By arranging temporary academic positions at member universities, SAR offers safety to scholars facing grave threats, enabling them to continue their important work. SAR also provides advisory services for scholars and hosts, campaigns for scholars who are imprisoned or silenced in their home countries, monitoring of attacks on higher education communities worldwide, and leadership in deploying new tools and strategies for promoting academic freedom and improving respect for university values everywhere. Information at www.scholarsatrisk.org.

Program Associate for Protection Services (Temporary)

JOB DESCRIPTION: Scholars at Risk is seeking a highly-motivated, flexible, and team-oriented individual to fill the role of Program Associate for Protection Services (Temporary). This position is a natural fit for a self-starter who works well under tight deadlines; handles confidential materials with care; displays compassion in communications with clients; displays accuracy in communications with external partners; has excellent judgment, attention to detail, writing, research and analytic skills; has familiarity with higher education and/or human rights situations around the world; and wants to be an important contributor to a collegial team dedicated to protecting individuals, preventing future violations and promoting human rights generally. The role has a primary responsibility for intake and review of 30+ new applications per month to SAR by potential scholar-clients, and also will lend support to SAR’s placement efforts and service provision on behalf of scholars accepted for SAR assistance. This position reports to SAR’s Senior Program Officer for Protection and SAR’s Manager, Scholar Placement, works closely with all members of the Protection team, and is in regular communication with other SAR staff.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

80% Service provision for SAR applicants

• Organize and maintain application database and case files on scholar-applicants according to internal systems and procedures;
• Serve as point of contact for 30+ scholar-applicants seeking SAR assistance at any given time, sharing timely responses to external queries and regular updates to scholar-applicants regarding their application to SAR;
• Conduct initial review of incoming applications from scholar-applicants and make recommendations on whether applicant is a candidate for SAR assistance following internal review guidelines;
• Research case information of scholar-applicants seeking assistance;
• Research and draft materials—including case summaries, references, and publications/samples of work—for accepted cases for circulation to SAR members.

20% Service provision for SAR scholar-clients and hosts

• Support protection team in efforts to secure placements for scholars, including conducting research on outreach options for scholars, providing timely research and updates on current immigration trends impacting placement work, and updating scholar materials for circulation to SAR members;
• Provide support to Emergency Fund requests, including arranging flights for scholars traveling to SAR-arranged placements, following established documentation procedures;
• Draft letters requested by scholars and alumni for job and other opportunities;
• Research case-specific resources to support scholars as needed (in topics such as in career advancement, mental health/wellbeing); provide updates to online repository of opportunities and resources for scholars;
• Assist in maintenance of protection database records and tracking of services provided to scholars;
• Create one-pagers and tipsheets for SAR hosts based on existing SAR resources including the How to Host Handbook.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The ideal candidate exhibits the characteristics below and demonstrates a desire to be an important contributor to a collegial team that recognizes shared commitments to our applicants, scholar-clients, members and partners, funders, the world, each other and ourselves; seeks harmony in meeting these commitments; and sees them as positive opportunities to make a difference.

Required:

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience in direct service or related field
• 1+ year experience in higher education, human rights, relief/refugee work or related fields
• Excellent interpersonal skills, especially in a multi-cultural setting
• Excellent attention to detail and flexibility in approach to work
• Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent research and analytical skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including public presentation skills
• Solid judgment and ability to handle sensitive information in a discreet, professional manner
• Ability to manage high workloads and proactively manage own work ahead of deadlines
• Ability to manage responsibilities and priorities with limited supervision
• Enthusiasm for and commitment to direct service provision for at-risk individuals
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles

Beneficial:

• Previous experience with relocation initiatives or other direct service work
• Fluency in or familiarity with languages other than English