Refugee Studies Centre
About the Refugee-Led Research Hub (RLRH):
The Refugee-Led Research Hub (RLRH) is an initiative of the Refugee Studies Centre (RSC) at the University of Oxford. RLRH supports individuals with lived experience of displacement to become leaders in fields of humanitarian response, forced migration, human rights, and related areas. We do so by delivering academic programming to a global cohort of students who have been affected by displacement, supporting access to graduate degrees and professional development opportunities. RLRH also creates opportunities for researchers with displacement backgrounds to lead primary and secondary research studies, from start to finish.
About the consultancy:
We are currently recruiting a consultant to lead the design and implementation of the strategy for our Professional Placements Programme (PPP), expanding advanced career opportunities for individuals who complete our academic and/or research training.
The consultant will support the strategic development of RLRH’s refugee livelihoods portfolio and play a leading role in the initial stages of delivering a strategy. Internally, the consultant will consult the RLRH management team, notably the RLRH Professional Placements Manager. Externally, they will expand and manage a portfolio of professional placement hosts that students and other RLRH affiliates can work with. The consultant will interact with the RLRH’s academic programmes to ensure alignment in approach.
Activities:
The appointed consultant will engage in the following activities over four months, from early May through August 2024, with possibility for extension**:**
- Design a detailed work plan with deliverables relating to the design and delivery of a strategy for expansion of RLRH’s Professional Placements Programme.
- Design the strategy for expanding RLRH’s Professional Placement Programme, ensuring it is in line with the mission, vision, timelines, and targets for the RLRH. Examine current practices in the PPP to identify gaps and opportunities for further growth. Lead the implementation and operational oversight of the strategy.
- Develop RLRH’s portfolio of professional placement hosts, expand partnerships, maintain communication with hosts.
- Develop and deliver a series of professional development training, ensuring that affiliates currently on placements have fulfilling journeys in line with their career aspirations. Prepare a comprehensive resource package focused on professional and leadership skills that can be made available to all affiliates.
- Collaborate across the PPP and Academic programmes, to ensure alignment of programme objectives and milestones.
- Develop documentation relating to all aspects of the agreed strategy.
Profile:
The ideal consultant will meet the following criteria:
- 3+ years developing, implementing, and managing projects.
- Demonstrated professional experience in displacement-related themes and durable solutions, with particular emphasis in refugee livelihoods and/or access to higher education.
- Extensive experience in engagement and managing relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including research institutions, NGOs, and civil society actors.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, analysis, and report writing.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with ability to lead and work across diverse teams, and adapt to changing work environments.
How to apply
Application and selection:
If you’re interested in carrying out this work, please submit the following materials to [email protected] including “Livelihoods programme strategist consultancy” in the subject line of the email. Applications due by Monday 25 March, 5pm GMT. If you have any questions before then please reach out over email.
Materials to be submitted:
- Your CV (maximum of two pages)
- Independently authored writing sample: One extended writing sample up to 5,000 words, or two shorter pieces up to 2,500 words each. Excerpts are welcome. Please share documents as PDFs.
- A cover letter explaining why you are interested in this role. In your letter, please include relevant skills or previous experiences that would be advantageous in carrying out the described work. Please include your projected availability during the proposed duration of the consultancy (May–August 2024).
Please note: We encourage applications from individuals who have been affected by displacement and those who identify with social groups that are historically under-represented in this space, including, but not limited to, LGBTQI+, gender non-conforming, women, and disabled candidates.
Deadline: 25 Mar 2024