United States Refugee Advisory Board (USRAB) is Seeking Applicants for Advisors
The United States Refugee Advisory Board (USRAB) is currently accepting applications for its third cohort of Advisors.
What is USRAB?
The United States Refugee Advisory Board was established by Refugee Congress, Refugee Council USA (RCUSA), and the Institute for the Study of International Migration (ISIM) at Georgetown University as a self-governing initiative to ensure that forcibly displaced people have a meaningful and equitable role in influencing policy-making processes across the global policymaking fora. This includes engagement with relevant government entities, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), civil society groups, and refugee-led organizations. USRAB provides a transparent and accountable mechanism for meaningful participation in multilateral settings, and ensures that the interests, perspectives, knowledge, and experiences of forcibly-displaced people are consistently given an influential voice on issues regarding themselves and other forcibly displaced populations.
To serve on the Board, individuals must have direct lived experience of forced displacement. In addition, the Board seeks applicants with demonstrated technical expertise in one or more of the following areas: immigration or international law; public policy or legislative affairs; humanitarian or refugee response; finance, or fundraising; diplomacy or international relations; climate displacement or environmental justice; research, or evaluation; and other fields relevant to global displacement and protection. Candidates who bring both lived experience and technical expertise are strongly encouraged to apply.
What are the roles and responsibilities of an USRAB Advisor?
USRAB Advisors serve for a single three-year term, which starts on September 1, 2026 and ends August 31, 2028. The estimated time commitment for serving as an Advisor is 5 to 15 hours per month.
Advisors are expected to attend and participate meaningfully in required meetings –which can occur during and/or outside regular business hours.
Advisors must be available to attend onboarding activities/training, additional details to be confirmed.
Advisors are expected to provide input into the goals, priorities, and functioning of USRAB, and are expected to meaningfully contribute to project-based work that advances the mission of USRAB and participate in task-specific sub-committees.
To help inform USRAB priorities, Advisors are expected to participate in community consultations and engagements with members of forcibly displaced communities across the United States, and to contribute their technical expertise to help shape USRAB’s strategic focus and recommendations in response to displacement dynamics in the U.S. and globally. Advisors must have the ability to travel within the United States for meetings, convenings, and training. International travel may be requested for select engagements; however, inability to travel internationally should not preclude applicants from applying, and applications will be considered accordingly.
While being an USRAB Advisor is a volunteer position, USRAB-related travel costs and expenses will be covered by USRAB with prior approval.
What are the expectations of being an USRAB Advisor?
Advisors will work with USRAB’s Executive Committee to determine priorities in multilateral and global ecosystems as they impact people with forced displacement.
Advisors will assist in developing and refining guiding principles for equal and meaningful participation of forcibly displaced people at the policy and strategic level.
Advisors will collaborate with global leaders who have forced displaced experience.
Advisors will have opportunities to network with government entities, UN officials, civil society stakeholders, and to powerfully share their lived experience and professional expertise in impactful settings.
Advisors will also receive advanced orientation and training in national and international policy led by the Institute for the Study of International Migration at Georgetown University.
How are USRAB Advisors Selected?
To qualify for consideration as an USRAB Advisor, an individual must have direct lived experience of forced displacement.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to demonstrate several of the following qualifications:
Demonstrated understanding of the intersecting political, legal, and social forces shaping displacement today, including restrictive migration policies, democratic backsliding, armed conflict, climate-related displacement, and rising anti-migrant and anti-LGBTQIA+ sentiment globally and within the United States.
Professional and/or lived expertise related to forcible displacement, including but not limited to: refugee and asylum law and policy; resettlement and reception systems; complementary pathways; humanitarian protection; statelessness; climate-induced displacement; gender-based violence; racial and economic justice; disability and accessibility rights; child protection; mental health and psychosocial support; food security; border and enforcement policy; detention and deportation systems; and the protection of LGBTQIA+ forcibly displaced persons.
Demonstrated experience translating community needs into policy-relevant recommendations, including the ability to synthesize lived experience, research, and on-the-ground practice into actionable guidance for U.S. government agencies and policymakers.
Experience engaging in strategic advocacy, coalition-building, or movement work, particularly in politically constrained or hostile environments, and the ability to navigate complex power dynamics across government, civil society, and impacted communities.
Prior leadership in project-based or initiative-driven work that advances the rights, safety, and long-term stability of displaced people, whether through NGOs, mutual aid networks, grassroots organizations, academic institutions, faith-based entities, or government bodies.
Experience advising, serving on, or collaborating with boards, task forces, advisory committees, or working groups, with a demonstrated ability to contribute constructively, thoughtfully, and accountably in collective decision-making spaces.
Where can I apply?
Applicants can apply for the USRAB Advisor role through this form.
What is the Submission Deadline?
The deadline for submission is by 5:00pm (EST) Saturday, April 25, 2026. The application form will require at least 30 minutes to complete. Incomplete and late forms will not be considered.
When will applicants be notified of the selection decision?
Advisors who are selected will be notified after May 25th, 2026.
Who should I contact with questions?
Please direct questions regarding the Advisor application to the USRAB at email address usrab@refugeecongress.org
