Grants Associate (Remote in Asia) At Asylum Access

About Asylum Access

We are human rights advocates who support forcibly displaced individuals and communities as they reclaim their rights, agency and power.

Our unique combination of legal empowerment, policy advocacy and global systems change creates conditions in which refugees can live safely, move freely, work legally and go to school. Our work transforms the traditional approach of endless humanitarian handouts to a sustainable solution that honors refugees’ freedom, dignity and autonomy, and empowers them to make choices about their own lives.

Asylum Access’ global team and family of local civil society organizations advocate to make human rights a reality for refugees throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America. Our national organizations are led and staffed primarily by community members in those countries, and there is strong mutual trust and respect between us and our clients. On the international stage, we work with established institutions to shift the global system to better uphold and promote refugees’ human rights. We can help catalyze and lead systemic transformation because, uniquely among NGOs in the refugee response sector, we focus exclusively on rights and governance.

Department Description

This position will primarily support fundraising efforts for Asylum Access’ national organizations in Malaysia and Thailand, as well as other projects in Asia. They may also occasionally be required to support broader organization-wide fundraising efforts at the global level.

Asylum Access Malaysia and Asylum Access Thailand are both members of the Asylum Access family of national organizations. In Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok respectively, they work to ensure refugees have access to justice and rights by providing individualized legal services, partnering with refugee communities, and advocating for changes in laws and practices that will allow refugees to live safely, move freely, work and rebuild their lives.

At the regional and global level, the Global Systems Change (GSC) team eagerly instigates increased refugee and national-level civil society participation in regional and global decision-making around displacement efforts, and assists with efforts of our civil society partners (including refugee-led organizations) to drive progress at a national level. The GSC team also advocates with institutions of power to improve their accountability, transparency, and role in catalyzing forward progress on refugees’ human rights.

Much of the work of Asylum Access Malaysia, Asylum Access Thailand and Asylum Access Global is funded by grants from institutional, multilateral and government donors. It is critical to the mission and vision to ensure that our funding is aligned with our priorities and to responsibly steward the funds that we receive from donors. Programmatic and operations staff across both organizations, as well as Asylum Access Global, help facilitate this process.

Position Description

The Grants Associate will be in charge of developing proposals for government, international, foundation, and private donors to strengthen AAM’s, AAT’s and AA Global’s operations and ensure program sustainability. In coordination with the Executive and Deputy Directors of AAM and AAT, and under the overall supervision of the Director of Global Programs and Policy, the Associate will maintain and steward relationships with current funders, by preparing vital reports, preparing for and tracking meetings, and proactively monitoring project deliverables.

This position provides a unique opportunity to comprehend the complexities of a thriving multinational NGO, get in touch with people regularly at the national and global level, and gain leadership skills in all aspects of organizational growth and management.

Key Responsibilities

• Actively seek project opportunities that can strengthen AAM, AAT and AA Global’s programs and priorities;
• Work with Executive and Deputy Directors to cultivate and track relationships with potential funders;
• Develop proposals to present to potential funders in conjunction with national and global programs staff and finance teams. Prepare narrative proposals and participate in budget development;
• Participate in alliances with other civil society organizations and initiatives to present projects in coalition;
• Participate in monitoring the implementation of existing projects, working with the global and national teams to ensure that AAM, AAT and AA Global meet project goals and proactively identifying the need for amendments to projects;
• Write necessary reports for existing projects;
• Collaborate with communications colleagues to increase the profile of the organization and disseminate the achievements of the projects that AAM, AAT and AA Global implement;
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience with fundraising and development for nonprofit organizations
• Culturally intelligent; experienced in and interested in creating and building strong, equitable relationships with colleagues across cultures and preferred working styles;
• Experience coordinating input into projects and/or proposals from many stakeholders;
• Excellent writing skills in English, including the ability to adapt tone and framing to different audiences;
• Clear knowledge of Google Suite tools (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Calendar, Drive) and Microsoft Office;
• Experience in managing multiple projects with different stakeholders;
• Impeccable organizational skills and ability to set achievable project plans and take initiative;
• Impeccable attention to detail;
• Strong interest in human rights and the rights of refugees in Thailand, Malaysia and beyond;

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with fundraising, reporting, and management of projects financed by the UN, governments, and/or multilateral organizations
• Experience developing and monitoring project budgets and working closely with finance teams
• Strong project management skills
• Oral and written Spanish and/or Thai a plus.

Salary and Benefits

The position comes with a competitive nonprofit salary and robust benefits package including paid time off and professional development funds.

Hours and Location of Work

This is a full-time position and will be based in Asia (with a preference for candidates based in Malaysia or Thailand). Candidates should be aware that some flexibility regarding working hours is required in order to work together with colleagues in other time zones. Due to the COVID-19 situation, the Grants Associate will work from home until further notice.

Asylum Access is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We value the expertise of those who have experienced displacement, and encourage people with such lived experience to apply.

For more information about our organization, visit www.asylumaccess.org.