Mexico: Special Advisor to Executive (volunteer position)

About Asylum Access Asylum Access is a leading global refugee human rights organization. Â Headquartered in Oakland, California with substantial operations in three countries plus partnerships in additional countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, Asylum Access works to make human rights a reality for refugees in first countries of refuge.

Our unique combination of policy advocacy and legal empowerment creates conditions in which refugees can better live safely, move freely and work legally. By helping refugees assert their rights, we put power back into their hands. Our work transforms the traditional approach of endless humanitarian handouts to a sustainable solution that gives refugees the tools to provide for themselves and make choices about their own lives.

Asylum Access envisions a world where refugees are seen as people with rights, not just people with needs. Asylum Access believes that by empowering refugees to assert their human rights, we can create effective, lasting solutions for refugees around the world.

Position Description The Special Advisor Volunteer Advocate will work directly with Asylum Access’s Executive Director and regularly engage with top global leadership of the organization during the course of this prestigious one-year full-time volunteer position.  This role is unique in that it includes one-on-one mentoring from Executive Director Emily Arnold-Fernandez, a renowned leader and innovator in the field of refugee human rights.
The Special Advisor position involves accompanying the Executive Director in internal and external online meetings, including with government and multilateral representatives, peer NGOs, donors and funders, and staff at Asylum Access operations around the world. Â The Special Advisor will also be responsible for outreach and followup related to these relationships, from development of talking points to calendaring and logistics to drafting concept notes for partnerships or advocacy initiatives. If resources permit, the Special Advisor may have the opportunity to join in-person meetings from time to time. Â In addition to managing and supporting engagement with key individuals and organizations in the refugee response, human rights, and international development sectors, the Special Advisor also will support the Executive Director and global leadership in thought leadership and communications, giving the successful candidate an opportunity to expand and sharpen writing, research, and analysis skills. Â As time permits and in line with organizational goals, the Special Advisor may take on special projects such as developing and delivering in-house or external trainings or partnerships, leading participation in and strengthening connections to global networks, and/or developing and implementing new organizational initiatives.
The Special Advisor Volunteer Advocate position requires quick thinking, strategic analysis, and creative problem-solving to strengthen and grow Asylum Access’s reach and impact in service of our mission. This position provides a unique opportunity to work closely with a global leader, understand the intricacies of a thriving multinational NGO, connect daily with people from all over the world, and gain leadership skills across all aspects of organizational management and growth.

Essential Responsibilities  Executive Shadowing and Support

• Manage Executive Director’s correspondence with leaders, organizations and decision makers around the world, exercising strong judgment and strategic thinking to maintain and build relationships with a wide range of contacts across many cultures.  This may include ghostwriting for the Executive Director.
• Develop preparatory materials for Executive Director’s internal and external meetings with with government and multilateral representatives, peer NGOs, donors and funders, and staff, and efficiently manage logistics and calendaring for these meetings. Â
• Accompany Executive Director in internal and external online meetings (and as resources permit, in-person meetings), and manage outreach and followup related to these relationships, including managing meeting notes, communication about meetings to others in Asylum Access, and development of followup materials such as concept notes for partnerships, funding, or advocacy initiatives. Special Projects
• For Executive Director and other members of the Executive Team, draft speeches and develop high-quality visual presentations; draft research briefings on individuals, entities or topics; pitch OpEds, blog posts, and other writing to support growth of Asylum Access’s profile and thought leadership; and other projects as assigned.  Required Qualifications
• Fluency in English;
• Excellent writing skills, including the ability to adjust writing tone and approach to a wide variety of media and audiences;
• Strong research and analytical skills;
• Impeccable attention to detail;
• Solid organizational and project management skills; ability to manage multiple projects at once, to see projects through to completion, and to take initiative;
• Comfortable and skilled in communicating and managing relationships with with high profile individuals, including global leaders, influencers and philanthropists;
• Experience travelling independently and planning travel logistics, including internationally;
• Interest in international human rights and/or refugee rights and/or related topics;
• Ability to work with diverse individuals and groups; culturally sensitive;
• Working knowledge of Gmail, Google Drive, Microsoft Office and related tools (Docs, Sheets, etc.)

Preferred Qualifications

• Fluency in Spanish highly desirable; fluency in Arabic, French, Thai, and/or Malay helpful;
• Experience using CRM databases, preferably Salesforce.

Hours and Location This position will require approximately 40 hours of work per week for a full year.  Ideally, this position will be based at Asylum Access Mexico’s office in Mexico City or Asylum Access’s global headquarters in Oakland, California.  Alternatively, on an individual basis we would consider negotiating remote work arrangements based in New York; Washington, DC; Geneva; Amman; or Nairobi.  Schedule and hours are somewhat flexible, but position will require accompanying the Executive Director at meetings outside business hours from time to time.  Commitments regarding hours and work time will be formalized between the selected candidate and the position supervisor.

Compensation This is a full-time, unpaid volunteership.

Application Instructions Please send a resume, cover letter, and brief writing sample to apply@asylumaccess.org. In your cover letter, please describe your reasons for applying, relevant qualifications, and how you learned about the position. Applicants will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Applicants in need of accommodation during the interview can contact HR at apply@asylumaccess.org.

Asylum Access is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. For more information about our organization, visit www.asylumaccess.org