Refugees International (RI), a leading humanitarian advocacy organization dedicated to promoting lifesaving assistance, protection, and solutions for refugees and displaced people, seeks an Program Officer to support its Middle East program.
The Program Officer will provide administrative, programmatic, research, and advocacy support to RI's Middle East portfolio, with a focus on displacement crises and humanitarian policy issues across the region, particularly on Syria and the Levant. Working closely with RI's Middle East Senior Advocate and broader Program Team, the Advocate will help coordinate advocacy initiatives, carry out research and draft publications, manage logistical and operational tasks, and assist with engagement with policymakers, partners, and affected communities.
This position is ideal for an early-career professional with administrative work experience and who seeks to build expertise in humanitarian advocacy, forced displacement, and Middle East affairs.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Administrative Support (50%)
Provide administrative and operational support to the Middle East program;
Coordinate scheduling, meeting logistics, and external engagements with partners, policymakers, UN agencies, and civil society organizations;
Assist with travel planning and logistics for international assessment missions, conferences, and advocacy meetings, including arranging flights, accommodations, visas, itineraries, and security-related documentation;
Track program budgets and expenses, process invoices and reimbursements, and support financial reporting in coordination with RI's operations team;
Maintain contact databases, partner records, and program files;
Support planning and execution of public and private events, webinars, roundtables, congressional briefings, and partner consultations.
Research and Advocacy Support (30%)
Conduct background research on humanitarian, displacement, and protection issues across the Middle East;
Monitor political, humanitarian, and policy developments affecting refugees and displaced populations;
Prepare reports, issue briefs, blogs, and advocacy products;
Draft meeting notes, summaries, briefing materials, advocacy letters, talking points, presentations, and other supporting documents;
Support outreach to policymakers, humanitarian organizations, think tanks, and civil society partners;
Track advocacy opportunities and policy developments relevant to RI's priorities.
Communications and External Engagement (20%)
Support dissemination of reports, publications, and advocacy products;
Assist with media monitoring and compilation of relevant regional developments;
Coordinate with communications staff on webinars, public events, and advocacy campaigns;
Represent Refugees International at meetings, events, and conferences as appropriate.
Other Duties
Perform other reasonably related duties as assigned in support of Refugees International's mission and advocacy objectives.
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Bachelor's degree required in international relations, Middle East studies, political science, international development, humanitarian affairs, or a related field;
3-5 years of relevant professional experience, including internships, fellowships, or employment with NGOs, think tanks, research institutions, international organizations, or advocacy groups;
Experience providing administrative, operational, or program support required;
Experience coordinating travel, events, budgets, or external partnerships;
Experience in humanitarian issues, forced displacement, refugee protection, and/or Middle East affairs.
COMPETENCIES REQUIRED OR PREFERRED
Required
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail;
Strong written and verbal communication skills in English;
Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously;
Strong administrative and project coordination skills;
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and virtual collaboration tools;
Experience supporting budget management, travel logistics, and event coordination;
Proficiency in Arabic;
Legally eligible to work in the United States.
Preferred
Professional proficiency in Arabic.
Familiarity with humanitarian and displacement issues in the Middle East;
Knowledge of the Syria displacement crisis and/or the Israeli-Palestinian conflict;
Experience working with NGOs, humanitarian organizations, or advocacy institutions;
Familiarity with the international humanitarian system and key UN agencies.
This position is based out of Refugees International’s office in Washington DC. We have a flexible, hybrid work environment, with an expectation of 3 days in the office per week.
Compensation
$65,000 - $70,000 per year
To Apply
If you are interested, please apply. Your application should include a cover letter explaining your interest in and qualifications, a résumé and a non AI generated writing sample of no more than 5 pages. We will run the writing sample through an AI tracker.
About Refugees International
Refugees International advocates for lifesaving assistance, human rights, and protection for displaced people and promotes solutions to displacement crises around the world. The team of advocates travel to some of the world’s most severe displacement crises to investigate first-hand the challenges displaced people face, create policy solutions, and demand action.
Refugees International is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace. Refugees International encourages applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, or other factors protected by law.