The Refugee-Led Research Hub (RLRH) is recruiting for three full-time positions across its Oxford, United Kingdom, and Nairobi, Kenya offices. The opportunities span administration, partnership development, and career transitions, with all positions offering fixed-term contracts and a closing date of 21 September 2026.
RLRH is a globally recognized research and professional pathways organization that works to advance refugee leadership, higher education access, and meaningful career opportunities for people affected by forced displacement. The organization strongly encourages applications from individuals with lived experience of displacement and those from historically underrepresented communities.
About the Refugee-Led Research Hub
The Refugee-Led Research Hub is based at the Oxford Department of International Development and operates across multiple international hubs. Through research, education, and professional pathways programmes, RLRH supports refugee leadership while strengthening opportunities for displaced scholars and graduates.
Its Professional Pathways Pillar works with universities, employers, research institutions, NGOs, and the private sector to expand equitable access to employment and professional development across Africa and globally.
1. Administrative Assistant
Location: Oxford, United Kingdom
Contract: Full-time, fixed-term until 31 August 2027
The Administrative Assistant will provide day-to-day operational and administrative support across the organization. Working closely with colleagues in RLRH’s global offices, the successful candidate will coordinate travel, human resources processes, contracts, records management, and organizational systems.
Key responsibilities
- Coordinate operational and administrative activities across programmes.
- Support travel, HR, contracts, and organizational systems.
- Maintain accurate records and documentation.
- Provide timely administrative support to colleagues across international teams.
Ideal candidate
Applicants should have experience providing high-quality administrative support in a fast-paced environment, preferably within higher education, research, or the charity sector. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, digital productivity skills, numeracy, initiative, and cultural humility are essential.
2. Partnerships Manager (Professional Pathways Pillar)
Location: Kileleshwa, Nairobi, Kenya
Contract: Full-time, fixed-term (12 months)
The Partnerships Manager will lead the expansion and stewardship of RLRH’s network of employer and institutional partners. The role focuses on creating professional opportunities for graduates affected by forced displacement through partnerships with NGOs, universities, research institutions, and private sector organizations.
Key responsibilities
- Build and manage strategic employer partnerships across Africa and globally.
- Expand professional placement opportunities for refugee graduates.
- Serve as the primary liaison with Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program university partners.
- Support ambitious targets for professional placements and trainee enrollment by 2028.
Ideal candidate
Candidates should have demonstrated experience in partnership development, stakeholder engagement, project coordination, and widening participation. Familiarity with refugee professional advancement, economic inclusion, and higher education ecosystems within Africa is highly desirable.
3. Transitions Manager (Professional Pathways Pillar)
Location: Kileleshwa, Nairobi, Kenya
Contract: Full-time, fixed-term (12 months)
The Transitions Manager will design and deliver employability and career readiness services for graduates affected by forced displacement. The position combines strategic programme development with direct coaching, workshops, and individualized career support.
Key responsibilities
- Design and implement career readiness programmes.
- Deliver one-on-one career coaching and employability workshops.
- Support graduates with applications and workforce transitions.
- Provide technical guidance to university and employer partners.
- Help develop and supervise an expanding careers function.
Ideal candidate
Applicants should have significant experience in career guidance, employability, talent development, or workforce transition programmes. Experience supporting refugees or individuals facing employment barriers, together with knowledge of African labour markets and strong cultural humility, is essential.
Why These Opportunities Matter
These roles contribute directly to expanding educational and professional opportunities for people affected by forced displacement. Whether supporting organizational operations, building employer partnerships, or preparing graduates for meaningful careers, successful candidates will help strengthen refugee leadership and inclusive workforce development across Africa and internationally.
RLRH’s collaborative and mission-driven environment makes these positions particularly valuable for professionals committed to equity, research, higher education, and refugee inclusion.
Application Deadline
The deadline for all three positions is 21 September 2026.
Interested applicants should carefully review the relevant job description and submit their application through the official Refugee-Led Research Hub recruitment platform.
