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About Asylum Access

Asylum Access is a human rights organization made up of human rights advocates who support forcibly displaced individuals and communities as they reclaim their rights, agency, and power. 

Their unique combination of legal empowerment, policy advocacy, and global systems change creates conditions in which refugees can live safely, move freely, work legally, and go to school. Their work transforms the traditional approach of endless humanitarian handouts into a sustainable solution that honors refugees’ freedom, dignity, and autonomy and equips them to make choices about their own lives.

Asylum Access’ global team and family of local civil society organizations, advocate making human rights a reality for refugees throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Their national organizations are led and staffed primarily by community members in those countries, and there is strong mutual trust and respect between them and their clients. On the international stage, they work with established institutions to shift the global system to uphold and promote refugees’ human rights better. They help catalyze and lead systemic transformation because, uniquely among NGOs in the refugee response sector, they focus exclusively on rights and governance.

About Asylum Access Malaysia

Asylum Access Malaysia (AAM) remains the only legal aid organization dedicated to supporting forcibly displaced individuals in Malaysia. Their work focuses on transferring knowledge and skills so that community leaders can better meet growing protection needs within their communities. Through legal empowerment programs, strategic litigation, monitoring and evaluation, and advocacy, they work to reshape policies and practices, ensuring that rights are upheld both in law and in practice. At the heart of their approach is a commitment to shifting power to the communities themselves, equipping them to break down barriers and drive lasting, systemic change.

About the Role

The Executive Director of AAM serves as the organization’s executive leader, providing strategic direction and oversight across all areas of organizational programming and operations. 

The Executive Director of AAM reports to the co-CEO(s) of Asylum Access and may be required to connect with other global staff members and/or Board members. 

Purpose of the Role

• Ensure that AAM achieves Asylum Access’s mission in Malaysia – working towards an environment where refugees can live safely, move freely, work fairly, and advocate for themselves and the needs of their community;
• Serve as the primary spokesperson for AAM in interactions with key stakeholders in policy, communications and donor engagements; 
• Oversee and understand all AAM programs, and manage the leadership team (including programmatic and operational leaders) so the team can collectively have an impact; 
• Steward and grow the AAM work culture and environment, ensuring that team members at all levels and the work of the organization are supported and resourced;
• Build and maintain a strong organizational infrastructure and ensure compliance with national and global requirements, including financial and programmatic reporting, donor accountability, and HR and operational requirements;
• Lead through transition, including participating in the broader Asylum Access transformation process and building autonomy and strategic direction for Asylum Access Malaysia.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Organizational Reputation, Growth, and Advocacy:
  • Cultivate relationships with key decision-makers in government, multilateral organizations, and other influential institutions to promote refugee rights and drive essential policy and practice changes.
  • Strengthen the organization’s reputation by engaging strategically with donors, partners, media, and government stakeholders.
  • Lead AAM’s communications strategy, ensuring all messaging aligns with organizational goals and desired impact.

• Internal Leadership and Management:
  • Oversee all AAM programs and manage the leadership team to ensure coordinated impact across the organization.
  • Foster a positive, inclusive work culture that motivates staff, encourages collaboration, and embraces cultural diversity.
  • Provide ongoing support and coaching to program and operational leaders, equipping them with the resources they need to lead their teams effectively and sustainably.
  • Develop and implement systems within the organization to promote transparency and accountability following good governance practices.
  • Promote a desirable workplace through clear communication of expectations, professional development opportunities, and cross-team sharing of best practices.

• Strategic Planning, Monitoring Evaluation and Learning:
  • Lead the annual planning process, translating goals into actionable work plans, metrics, and indicators to guide program teams.
  • Ensure teams have the necessary resources for evaluation and learning to assess their impact and continuously improve.
  • Develop and guide AAM’s strategic vision in alignment with Asylum Access’s overall direction, overseeing the organization’s progress toward achieving this vision.

• Operational and Programmatic Oversight:
  • Guide operational and programmatic functions to ensure organizational resilience, success, and alignment with AAM’s mission.
  • Collaborate with the leadership team to implement strong risk management practices, maintaining a safe and secure environment for staff and clients.
  • Ensure programs meet quality standards, adapt to emerging needs, and support long-term sustainability.
  • Oversee the organization’s financial health, funding strategies, and the impact of strategic decisions to drive sustainable growth.

• Donor Cultivation, Stewardship, and Accountability:
  • Serve as an ambassador for AAM, partnering with Asylum Access HQ to identify, cultivate, and steward donor relationships.
  • Build and maintain connections with existing donors, including hosting visits and supporting grant applications and reporting.
  • Participate in identifying and cultivating potential future donors, both institutional and individual.

• Organizational Leadership:
  • Collaborate with other national directors and Asylum Access Headquarters team members as part of Asylum Access’s global leadership.
  • Provide overarching oversight of AAM’s strategic plan, ensuring accountability for organizational sustainability and impact.

Skills and Experience

• Extensive experience in human rights, public policy, refugee response, or legal assistance.
• Deep understanding of the legal and practical environment for forcibly displaced individuals in Malaysia and a strong ability to understand and develop creative responses to changes in the environment.
• Substantial experience in policy advocacy or fundraising.
• Enthusiasm for identifying, cultivating and stewarding funder relationships.
• Demonstrated success in leading teams, including setting team and organizational culture and overseeing operations and HR.
• Remarkable track record and experience in team management and the supervision and development of program and operational leaders.
• Strong experience in leading strategic planning and change management processes in times of transition.
• Strong commitment to realizing equity and inclusion both internally and externally.
• Previous experience in major organizational leadership roles.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in executive leadership; 
• Experience with financial oversight or leadership;
• Fluency in Malay and English.

Asylum Access is committed to paying competitive salaries and upholding sustainable equity practices. However, because salary negotiations perpetuate structural inequities, Asylum Access does not participate in salary negotiations for any candidate.