Be Part of the Solution: Volunteer with Asylum Access!

Asylum Access depends on volunteer staff who work in our US office, on the ground overseas, or virtually. Interested in helping us grow? Look below and then email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  (Inquiries by email only, no phone calls please).

Volunteer in the US
Volunteer abroad
Intern in the US

Volunteer in the US

Asylum Access's work is only possible with the help of our dedicated volunteers in the U.S. and around the world. Volunteers can help Asylum Access with on-line research, communications, community outreach, event planning, donor relationships, graphic design, one-time volunteer opportunities and much more. To volunteer, send a resume and an email describing your volunteering preferences to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Volunteer abroad

Asylum Access is looking for volunteer lawyers and highly-qualified law students who can commit to spending 6 months or more in Africa, Asia or Latin America, providing legal counsel and representation to refugees seeking asylum or other legal status.

Volunteer legal advocates receive an intensive training in international refugee law, and practice before local offices of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees or local refugee status adjudicators. Volunteers may also have the opportunity to engage in policy advocacy at a national or international level. All volunteers are responsible for their own travel and living expenses.

Asylum Access is currently recruiting volunteer legal advocates for its refugee legal aid projects in Ecuador, Thailand and Tanzania. We accept applications and offer acceptances on a rolling basis. Please note which project(s) you are interested in applying for in your application.

Position Responsibilities:

• Legal Advocates are responsible for the following duties:

• Advise refugees on the RSD process, assist them to understand their rights, and prepare them to testify coherently and accurately in RSD proceedings.

• Maintain a high caseload of first instance and appeals cases, including preparation of legal briefs for RSD appeals submissions.

• Ensure all clients have a fair hearing and access to an RSD procedure that complies with due process both in first instance and appeals cases.

• Where possible, assist clients with other legal needs, including assistance to assert rights to security, employment, education and social services.

• Conduct client intake and screening interviews, assess needs, and refer to other service providers as needed.

• Conduct research on Country of Origin situations and refugee law jurisprudence.

• Teach and/or participate in “know your rights” workshops.

• Occasionally, represent Asylum Access in events, conferences and meetings, and/or assist in other publicity and/or fundraising efforts.

• A background in law and/or experience working in human rights and/or with refugees and asylum seekers.

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in law is preferred, but other degrees or equivalent experience in a related field will be considered.

• Experience working with vulnerable populations and/or survivors of trauma.

• International experience living in Africa, Asia or Latin America.

• Ability to cover all travel and living expenses and to commit to 6 months of full-time work. (In exceptional circumstances, Asylum Access may consider a shorter commitment, with prior arrangement, but in no circumstances fewer than 3 months.)

• For Ecuador, fluency in oral and written Spanish is also required.

Program Highlights

Development Training – Throughout your work with us, Asylum Access will support you with a series of tools to maximize your programmatic work and your understanding of refugee law and practice. Initially, you’ll receive thorough training in international and domestic refugee law. Regular training and debriefing sessions will offer you the chance to enhance and process your experience and share insight about cross-cultural issues.

Casework – Once you join our team, you will be responsible for your own casework, which you will see through preparation, submission and results. This will give you an invaluable experience and lasting ties with your clients.

Networking – After working with us, you will be connected with an ever-growing network of refugee legal advocates around the world, which circulates job openings, research opportunities, refugee news, and more.

How to Apply

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to Volunteer Coordinator Julissa Llosa at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please specify your countries of interest and the dates you are available.  (Email inquiries only, no phone calls please).

Intern with Asylum Access

Asylum Access internships at our San Francisco headquarters offer the chance to see a startup nonprofit in action. Asylum Access generally accepts undergraduate, law or business students or recent graduates. Internships may include:

• Research on refugee law, policy and practice in Africa, Asia or Latin America.

• Research and analysis of international and domestic refugee rights policy issues or drafting of policy recommendations.

• Communication with refugees seeking asylum assistance around the world.

• Research in support of refugee legal aid and the work of Asylum Access, and forging connections with potential partners and supporters in the US and worldwide.

• Event planning and execution to raise US public awareness of refugee rights issues.

• Creation of web and print text that educates the US public about international refugee law and refugee rights issues.

• Strategic planning, including analysis of opportunities to initiate or foster new refugee legal aid projects in Africa, Asia or Latin America.

• Drafting of articles or press releases related to refugee rights and/or the work of Asylum Access.

• Donor outreach and education, grantwriting, or other development work.

• Fostering relations with the media, political figures, prospective donors, and others with the ability to promote Asylum Access's work.

Qualifications:

Interns must be highly self-motivated "go-getters" with strong problem-solving skills, the ability to think critically about the current refugee assistance regime, and the ability to implement well-conceived plans with minimal oversight. Interns should also be creative, flexible, enthusiastic and committed to building the refugee rights movement around the world. Academic-year internships requires 16-20 hours per week; summer internships are full-time for 10 weeks. Asylum Access may allow some flexibility with regard to working hours and some work may be conducted off-site.

How To Apply

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample (ideally an analytical or opinion piece) to Volunteer Coordinator Julissa Llosa at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  (Email inquiries only, no phone calls please).

IMPORTANT:  Please specify in the subject line of your email what position(s) you would like to be considered for.  For example, if you are interested in our Ecuador and San Francisco offices, please write "VLA / Intern Positions Ecuador / San Francisco" in the subject line.  Similarly, if you are only interested in our San Francisco office please write "Intern Position San Francisco" in the subject line.  Be sure to include in the subject line all positions you would like to be considered for.   

Please note that Asylum Access internships and Volunteer Legal Advocate positions are unpaid; we are happy to work with interns to arrange for work study funding or school credit where available.