Careers

ABOUT PILNET

PILnet is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) that partners with legal professionals and civil society organizations (CSOs) globally to protect civic space, address global challenges, and work to build just, equitable, and sustainable societies. PILnet does this by supporting civil society, engaging legal professionals, and nurturing the next generation of legal professionals in three strategic priority areas: civic space, climate justice, and refugees and people on the move. PILnet currently has offices in New York, Budapest, and Hong Kong but operates globally. 

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

We are looking for an experienced and highly motivated Senior Program Officer – Forced Displacement to lead the day-to-day implementation and further development of PILnet’s work on forced displacement and migration. The role will play a central part in delivering a multi-component programme to increase access to pro bono services for refugee-led organisations (RLOs) and other non-profits in Asia, strengthen the GRF Legal Community Pledge, advance meaningful refugee participation, and contribute to the strategic management of PILnet’s wider Forced Displacement Programme.

You will work closely with, and report remotely to, the Program Director – Forced Displacement, and will have supervisory responsibilities for program staff, including fellows, secondees, interns and a Program Officer.

Key responsibilities include:

• Oversee outreach in Asia to non-profits and RLOs and manage the scoping, and matching of their pro bono needs through PILnet’s global clearinghouse, including review of intake forms and the drafting of legal matter descriptions.
• Plan and co‑organize key program events such as workshops, trainings, roundtables and regional or global convenings (including an Asia Refugee Rights Pro Bono Pitching Roundtable), in close collaboration with partners.
• Contribute to coordination of the GRF Legal Community Pledge, including supporting meetings, outreach to members and development of tools and materials to help track and communicate Pledge implementation.
• Support the Program Director with programme planning, workplan development, budgeting, risk management and overall coordination of the Forced Displacement portfolio.
• Supervise and mentor junior staff (including the Program Officer, fellows, secondees and interns), ensuring clear allocation of responsibilities and timely, high‑quality delivery.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with law firms, bar associations, non‑profits, RLOs and funders, representing PILnet in external meetings and events as needed.
• Ensure timely implementation, monitoring and reporting of activities in line with grant agreements, including contributing to funder reports and basic data and knowledge management for the programme.
• Support any other tasks assigned by the Program Director. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Undergraduate degree in law. Advanced legal degree and/or training or a degree in refugee law is a plus.
• Minimum 5 – 7 years of relevant work experience, preferably in a legal nonprofit focused on supporting refugees and other forcibly displaced people.
• Fluency in written and spoken English. Spoken and written proficiency in other languages, especially those spoken by displaced people and/or the legal community is a plus.
• Strong interest in public interest law, refugee law, social justice and human rights.
• Project management experience and a record of delivering activities on time.
• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to set and execute multiple activities simultaneously.
• Ability to work well under pressure and manage competing priorities while maintaining a professional approach.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent people skills, including networking, organizing, and negotiating. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite (Excel, Outlook, Access, etc.) and Google Apps.

LOCATION

You will work as part of a small, multicultural and largely remote team with backgrounds in non-profit management and law, in a supportive and flexible working environment. The role has a sub-focus on Asia but is global in scope and will require regular interaction with colleagues and partners in different time zones. It will require a limited number of night times calls. The successful candidate will need to be based in Asia, with a preference for candidates based in South East Asia. 

This is a remote position and PILnet especially encourages candidates with a refugee background or other lived experience of statelessness or displacement to apply if they have the necessary work authorization. There is also the possibility of working from our Thailand office if suitable work authorization is available.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Interested candidates should provide basic information via this form and send a cover letter and CV to [email protected] with the subject line ‘Application for Senior Program Officer – Forced Displacement position’, as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed after March 8, 2026. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis by mid-March with an ideal start date of 1 April. PILnet will be able to offer you an initial contract, subject to funding being confirmed, until 31 December 2026. PILnet envisages that this role will be extended, subject to additional funding being secured.

The  cover letter should describe your interest to work with PILnet and spell out your relevant educational and/or practical experience. We kindly request that applicants do not submit CVs with pictures. PILnet focuses solely on qualifications, skills, and experience relevant to the job requirements.

PILnet is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at PILnet are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications and merit, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. PILnet will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. PILnet encourages applicants of all ages and backgrounds.

Personal data provided by applicants will be used strictly in accordance with PILnet’s Privacy Policy.