[Hiring] Executive Vice President - Programs and Strategy @International Refugee Assistance Project

Role Description

The Executive Vice President (EVP) of Programs and Strategy is a highly skilled and visionary leader whose primary responsibilities are to lead the strategic development of IRAP’s global programs and to engage with key stakeholders, both internal and external, to advance and resource the organization's mission.

The EVP plays a key role on the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and collaborates with the Senior Leadership Team on strategic initiatives, as well as leading the Programmatic Leadership Committee (PLC).

As an ELT member and in a public-facing role, this leader will partner with the President and the Development team to communicate IRAP’s strategic vision and programmatic impact to funders and other external stakeholders, supporting the organization's positioning as an innovator and its long-term growth and sustainability. They will:

• Lead and innovate in the program priorities of the organization, including those of the global offices in the US, Germany, Jordan, and Lebanon.
• Represent IRAP in key national and global policy, thought-leadership, and funder networks and forums on refugees, migration, immigration, etc.
• In collaboration with the EVP External Relations & Organizational Planning, build relationships with new potential donors and maintain relationships with current donors in order to diversify IRAP’s funding sources and ensure that the organization is resourced for the innovative work ahead.
• Align client services, systemic change initiatives, including litigation and policy, and innovative solutions to support pathways to safety for displaced people.
• Spearhead innovation in the dynamic field of refugee and migrant rights.
• Enhance the scalability and accessibility of the programming through various modalities to increase the impact of IRAP’s core mission for a more expansive audience across the globe.
• Play a pivotal role in shaping IRAP’s annual planning and budgeting for the Programs Division and organizationally.

The EVP- Programs and Strategy supervises the US, Europe, and SWANA program offices, including the direct legal representation, policy advocacy, and litigation work in the respective locations.

Responsibilities

• Set and articulate the organization’s Theory of Change and Program Vision and annual priorities.
• Lead the strategic and programmatic development and planning processes, including establishing high-level objectives, goals, and key progress indicators to support the organization’s commitment to its mission and strategic plan.
• Oversee the development of new impactful programs and ensure integration and alignment of all of IRAP’s programs globally with IRAP’s mission, vision, and strategic goals.
• Develop strategies and facilitate innovative approaches to enhance program effectiveness and impact.
• Cultivate, deepen, and sustain partnerships that support the work of IRAP and the Programs Division.
• Engage in critical relationship building and networking to further IRAP’s impact with a variety of stakeholders, including donors.
• Provide visionary leadership and guidance for all programmatic areas.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture within the Programs Division and ensure effective coordination and communication across programmatic functions.
• Ensure program outcomes and impacts are effectively tracked and communicated in collaboration with the Evaluation and Learning team.
• Manage and support the development of IRAP’s talented team, and lead a culture of commitment and collaboration.
• Offer a supportive, equitable, and inclusive work environment that upholds the principles of anti-oppression across the division.

Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and Senior Leadership Team (SLT) Engagement

• In partnership with members of the ELT - primarily the President and EVP External Relations & Organizational Planning - introduce and build an external network of key partners and relationships to support Program success and funding sustainability.
• Serve as a key member of the ELT, contributing to high-level decision-making and organizational strategy.
• Collaborate with ELT members to drive strategic initiatives and organizational goals.
• Engage with the Senior Leadership Team on strategic planning and initiatives.
• Provide leadership and insights to support the development and execution of IRAP’s strategic priorities.

Annual Planning and Budgeting

• Lead the annual planning and budgeting process for the Programs Division.
• Ensure that program plans and budgets align with IRAP’s overall strategic goals and resource availability.
• Monitor program performance against goals and budget, making adjustments as needed.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in law.
• Proven experience in a senior leadership role within the nonprofit or international development sectors, with a particular focus on working with refugees and forcibly displaced people or other immigrants.
• Extensive experience in innovative and transformative program leadership, including systemic change efforts for impact and network/brand-building.
• At least eight years of supervisory experience, including mentoring and growing leaders within an organization.
• Understanding of impact litigation in the U.S. and/or European context, with some direct experience in one or both ideal.
• Understanding of refugee protections internationally, as well as in at least one of the locations where IRAP operates: Jordan, Lebanon, Europe, or the United States.
• A history of successfully partnering with the development team to support the sustainable development of an organization through mission awareness, relationship-building, and developing programs for engagement with donor communities.
• A demonstrated track record of engaging new donors and/or increasing donations from existing donors.
• Strong track record of strategic planning, budgeting, and execution.
• Knowledge of legal requirements and a strategic approach to sub-granting.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and partner with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to communicate in writing and verbally in English is required.
• A demonstrated, deep connection to IRAP’s mission and an understanding of critical challenges faced by forcibly displaced populations.
• Application of an equity lens to all aspects of strategy, priority setting, team development, and community engagement, grounded in IRAP’s commitment to justice and equality and its organizational values.
• Clear ability to translate complex legal concepts into compelling cases for support, and to drive IRAP’s brand visibility and opportunity development by building and maintaining effective relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills with ease, building a compelling narrative of IRAP’s strategic vision and programmatic impact to funders and other external stakeholders.
• An ability to digest and act upon evidence-based approaches to strategic communications seeking narrative and/or public opinion change.
• Demonstrated sound judgment, strong analytical skills, and decisiveness in addressing challenges and seizing opportunities.
• Ability to learn complicated legal systems and protections rapidly and effectively.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, and management skills, including in the legal services/legal representation context in the U.S. or Europe.
• Commitment to developing new and next-level leadership within the organization by supporting them to be accountable, creating opportunities for engagement on strategy and impact, and coaching and mentoring on effective decision-making.

Job-related Requirements

• This position is remote in the US.
• This position requires approximately 30% traveling, predominantly domestic travel across the US. International travel is typically annually to IRAP office in Germany, Lebanon, and Jordan for 5-7 nights.

Benefits

• IRAP’s benefits vary across office locations, and IRAP seeks to offer equitable and generous benefits to all employees.
• Fully paid family health insurance.
• Retirement options: U.S. full-time, tax-paying staff are eligible to participate in our 401(k) plan, including an employer match.
• Extensive PTO (20 or more vacation days, 18 and more public/org-wide holidays).
• Comprehensive leave time for sickness.
• Disability and parenting: We have a generous parental leave program that allows parents to take more than 27 weeks. In addition, we support staff who travel for work by offering a childcare stipend.
• Reimbursement for work-from-home equipment.
• Generous opportunities for professional development.
• $250,000 - $260,000 a year. The salary will be based on the candidate’s education, experience, and internal equity.
• The position is an at-will position. The organization has committed funding for two years.

How To Apply:

If you have an interest in this opportunity, please share a resume and a brief cover note to:

Tory Clarke
Partner, Bridge Partners
[email protected]

You are also required to upload your resume to this application for record-keeping. Priority will be given to applications submitted by July 20th, 2026, although we will continue to receive and review applications until the position is filled.

IRAP is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, IRAP will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please refer to your request in the cover letter.

IRAP is an equal-opportunity employer; people of color and individuals from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. IRAP does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, citizenship status, ethnic background, religion, political orientation, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other protected class. We consider all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of all local, state, and federal laws related to the Fair Chance Act.