Academic Content and Facilitation Manager, Refugee-Led Research Hub

Join the Refugee Studies Centre as an Academic Content and Facilitation Manager, driving innovative research and education for displaced individuals in Oxford.

• Translate the Academic Pillar’s objectives and KPIs into structured curricula, learning outcomes, session guides, and facilitation plans, contributing to the achievement of RLRH’s collaboration programme goals, including those developed with the Mastercard Foundation.
• Lead on and be accountable for the development, delivery, and ongoing improvement of high-quality academic content, in collaboration with subject-area specialists, including:
• Academic courses (e.g., innovating around existing programmes and developing new Foundations courses in in-demand disciplines, such as Environment Studies, African Studies, Gender Studies, among other new bridging content).
• Skills-based programme content (e.g. on topics such as choosing a good-fit university, improving academic writing, developing an academic CV and motivation letter, deepening research skills and critical thinking, and managing AI use in scholarship).
• Academic enrichment activities (e.g., in-person and virtual workshops, book clubs, seminar series, and film screenings, adapted across our offices)
• Liaise with University of Oxford faculty across departments, as well as values-aligned professors, researchers, and practitioners more broadly, to solicit support in developing bespoke academic content that can be made available to displaced learners in RLRH’s networks.
• Ensure content is pedagogically rigorous, inclusive, and accessible to diverse, multilingual learner cohorts.
• Develop standardised toolkits, templates, and resource banks to ensure consistency across programme delivery.
• Adapt and, with the support of locally based academic facilitators, embed advanced academic curricula in RLRH’s in-person learning hubs in Kuala Lumpur, Nairobi, Kampala, Kakuma, Amman, and Oxfordshire.
• Develop content and strategies to help displaced students (across 30+ partner universities, including those in the Oxford Sanctuary Community (OSC)) achieve on-course success and ease transitions into further study or academic opportunities following completion of master’s degrees and PhDs.
• Review and regularly update materials in response to learner feedback, mentor input, and evolving academic requirements from partner universities, working closely with the AP’s Mentoring and Student Success Manager and the Academic Partnerships and Outreach Manager to ensure alignment.
• Develop and implement virtual (and occasional in-person) facilitation and delivery guidance and quality standards to ensure alignment with programme objectives and commitments to learners.
• Manage the facilitation of online and in-person workshops, seminars, and mentoring sessions.
• Engage with RLRH learners, whether new or already affiliated; Hub-based affiliates; and OSC learners.
• Be responsible for ensuring sessions are engaging, participatory, and responsive to learner needs.
• Directly facilitate select sessions where needed, modelling good practice in inclusive, learner-centred pedagogy.
• Support the recruitment, training, and ongoing development of RLRH facilitators, providing guidance and direction to ensure consistent, high-quality delivery.
• Develop content production schedules and delivery timelines to ensure programmes are delivered on time and to a high standard.
• Coordinate with other team members to ensure seamless programme implementation.
• Take responsibility for coordinating and contributing to quality assurance processes for both content and facilitation, embedding continuous improvement practices.
• Analyse learner data and feedback to inform reporting, programme refinement, and impact measurement.
• Oversee the development and dissemination of an external academic opportunity database beyond degree programmes, ensuring that RLRH learners are aware of offerings, and coordinating with AP team members to support learners’ success in securing the opportunity (e.g., for online and in-person short courses and summer schools, academic mentoring schemes, academic publishing opportunities, scholarships, and visiting fellowships, among others).

• Substantial content and/or curriculum development experience in an (I)NGO and/or higher education setting, with excellent leadership experience and timeline management.
• A postgraduate degree (or equivalent professional experience). No particular field is expected, but familiarity with (Refugee and Forced) Migration Studies, Education, International Development, and related disciplines can be an advantage.
• Strong understanding of how to impart mastery of academic skills, including critical thinking and academic writing, research methods, and compiling compelling postgraduate applications.
• Demonstrated experience designing and developing structured academic or skills-based learning programmes.
• Proven experience facilitating workshops, seminars, or online learning sessions, with working knowledge of inclusive, learner-centred pedagogical approaches.
• Understanding of quality assurance processes in educational or training contexts, with the ability to analyse learner data and provide feedback to inform continuous improvement.
• Excellent written communication skills, to produce clear, engaging, and high-quality learning materials.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to deadlines. Ability to work independently, prioritise own workload, and work flexibly as part of a team.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, with experience working across diverse teams.
• Excellent cultural competency and cultural humility.
• A commitment to demonstrating respect, courtesy and consideration in interactions with members of the University community.
• Familiarity with the African education ecosystem and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
• Fluency in additional languages spoken by RLRH learners and affiliates, such as Kiswahili, Arabic, or French.
• Familiarity with project management principles and tools, including task scheduling and progress tracking.