Application Guide
How to Apply for Head Of People & Culture
at International Refugee Assistance Project
🏢 About International Refugee Assistance Project
The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) is a unique global legal aid organization that provides direct legal assistance to refugees and displaced people worldwide, combining frontline legal services with systemic advocacy. Working at IRAP offers the opportunity to support a mission-driven organization that operates across multiple countries, directly impacting vulnerable populations through legal empowerment and policy change.
About This Role
As Head of People & Culture at IRAP, you'll lead all global HR functions across multiple international offices while specifically managing US operations including payroll, union relations, and recruitment. This role is impactful because you'll be building anti-oppressive organizational culture in a dynamic global environment while directly supporting staff who provide life-changing legal assistance to refugees worldwide.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve morning coordination with European and Middle Eastern offices on talent management initiatives, midday US-focused tasks like payroll processing and union communications, and afternoon strategic planning sessions to develop anti-oppressive culture frameworks that work across all global locations. You'll regularly coach managers on supporting staff who work directly with traumatized refugee populations while ensuring HR systems function smoothly across time zones.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who International Refugee Assistance Project Is Looking For
- Has 5+ years of senior HR leadership experience specifically in global mission-driven organizations (not just corporate HR)
- Possesses hands-on experience managing multinational HR functions including global compensation, benefits, and talent management across offices in multiple countries
- Demonstrates proven ability to build and maintain anti-oppressive organizational cultures in complex, geographically dispersed environments
- Has experience with union management and US-specific HR operations while maintaining global perspective
📝 Tips for Applying to International Refugee Assistance Project
Highlight specific experience with refugee-serving or international human rights organizations in your resume, not just general nonprofit HR
Quantify your global HR experience by listing the number of countries/offices you've supported simultaneously in previous roles
Include concrete examples of how you've built anti-oppressive workplace cultures in previous positions
Demonstrate understanding of IRAP's specific legal aid model by referencing their direct service approach in your materials
Show how you've managed the tension between US-specific HR requirements (payroll, union) and global standardization needs
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your experience with mission-driven organizations serving displaced populations or human rights causes', 'Specific examples of building inclusive, anti-oppressive workplace cultures across multiple countries', "How you've successfully managed both strategic global HR functions and daily US operational tasks simultaneously", 'Your approach to coaching senior leadership on talent management in high-stress, humanitarian contexts']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → IRAP's specific legal aid model and their recent high-profile refugee cases
- → The organization's global office locations and staff structure across different regions
- → IRAP's public statements on workplace equity and anti-oppression principles
- → Recent news about refugee crises in regions where IRAP operates (Middle East, Central America, etc.)
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on corporate HR experience without highlighting mission-driven organization background
- Failing to demonstrate specific global HR experience across multiple countries (not just multiple US states)
- Using generic DEI language without showing concrete anti-oppressive workplace initiatives you've implemented
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to International Refugee Assistance Project!