International Programs Consultant

Position description

ARC - Artists at Risk Connection is a nonprofit international organization working for the security and protection of artists and cultural workers under threat, as well as to defend and advance artistic freedom globally. ARC provides direct emergency and resilient grants to artists and cultural workers under threat, international advocacy, security resources and training, and referrals to partner organizations worldwide. Since its inception in 2017, ARC has assisted more than 2,300 artists from over 85 countries, including direct assistance via over 1,000 emergency grants, resilience grants, and fellowships.

The International Programs Consultant will provide strategic and programmatic support to ARC’s international portfolio through a defined scope of advisory and implementation services. Working in close coordination with ARC leadership and regional consultants, the Consultant will provide advisory support on the design and strategic coordination of international initiatives; contribute to advocacy and policy-related work; and provide strategic inputs on program frameworks, partnerships, reporting, and budget planning. 

This consultancy is designed to strengthen coherence, strategic alignment, and institutional readiness across ARC’s international initiatives, ensuring that regional work, partnerships, advocacy, and funding efforts are mutually reinforcing and aligned with ARC’s mission, standards, and governance framework.

As part of this work, the Consultant may also support ARC’s international advocacy efforts by identifying relevant cases of at-risk artists or attacks on artistic freedom and preparing background materials or recommendations for ARC’s review.

The role is well situated for someone who brings a strong combination of strategic thinking and practical coordination skills, and who is motivated by ARC’s mission and values. A successful candidate will be able to translate complex international dynamics into clear recommendations, tools, and deliverables, while collaborating effectively with partners, consultants, and other stakeholders across regions and cultures. They will be proactive, highly organized, and comfortable working independently within defined scopes of work—balancing thoughtful advisory input with hands-on project support, sound judgment, and meticulous attention to detail.

Success in this role will be reflected in stronger alignment across ARC’s international initiatives, clearer strategic positioning with partners and funders, and high-quality written and analytical outputs that support ARC’s global mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Program Design & Project Coordination

• Support the planning, design, and implementation of international initiatives, such as advocacy campaigns, public programs, or partner-led activities, through defined project scopes and timelines, in collaboration with ARC leadership and regional partners
• Facilitate alignment and information-sharing among ARC’s regional consultants in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East to support documentation, reporting and progress tracking against agreed project timelines and deliverables 
• Develop and maintain working relationships with project partners and networks to support collaboration, information-sharing, and successful delivery of agreed-upon initiatives
• Support the coherence, documentation, and strategic development of ARC-led or ARC-supported regional protection networks and ecosystems, in coordination with regional consultants and partners, including contributing to shared frameworks, partner mapping, convenings, and collective learning processes.

Program Quality & Strategic Positioning

• Contribute to the quality, coherence and visibility of ARC’s international initiatives by supporting the coordination with partners, preparing outreach or promotional materials, and advising on program presentation and positioning

Strategic Advisory, Capacity Building & External Engagement Support

• Advise the Executive Director on strategies to strengthen and expand ARC’s international partnerships, regional knowledge, and geographic reach, including providing written recommendations and strategic inputs
• Contribute strategic inputs to the development, adaptation, and dissemination of ARC’s international capacity-building resources, including safety guidance, training curricula, thematic briefs, or region-specific tools, in collaboration with ARC staff and external partners.
• Support ARC’s participation in meetings, panels, and advocacy efforts by preparing briefings, background materials, or proposed remarks, and participating as requested by ARC

Coalitions & Multilateral Engagement Support

• Support ARC’s engagement in international coalitions, policy spaces, and multilateral processes by contributing background research, strategic analysis, partner coordination, and preparatory materials, in alignment with ARC’s advocacy priorities.

Grants & Reporting Support

• Support the development of grant proposals, budget, reports, and related materials for ARC’s international work by contributing strategic inputs, drafting content for ARC’s review, and supporting project-based monitoring and reporting

Additional Project-Based Support

• Provide additional project-based support only as defined in writing and mutually agreed within the agreed Scope of Work

All final decisions, external communications, and supervisory authority remain with ARC.

COMPENSATION:

This position is structured as an initial 3-6 month independent contractor engagement and does not include employee benefits. Compensation is provided via a monthly retainer in the range of $6,000 to $7,000, commensurate with experience.

LOCATION: 

This is a remote role. The applicant does not need to be U.S.-based; however, some availability during U.S. Eastern Time business hours is expected to support meetings and collaboration with ARC leadership.

APPLICATION TIMELINE: 

ARC intends to fill this position as soon as possible and will review applications on a rolling basis. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply promptly, as the position may be filled before the posting closes.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of 6-8 years of professional experience working in or alongside civil society organizations at the national or international level, particularly in the arts, human rights, freedom of expression or international development fields
• Demonstrated experience providing strategic, advisory, or project-based support to complex programs or initiatives 
• Minimum of three (3) years of project management experience, including managing timelines, deliverables, and multiple stakeholders across regions
• Experience working with distributed teams, partners, or external consultants in cross-cultural or international contexts 
• Excellent analytical and writing skills, including experience drafting reports, background briefs, policy statements, and/or program documentation
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across cultures and geographies
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and deliver high-quality outputs within agreed timelines
• Outstanding organizational, critical thinking, and innovative problem-solving skills with superb attention to detail
• Professional fluency in written and spoken English
• Proficiency in one or more additional languages, particularly Arabic, Spanish, French, and/or Russian

Preferred (but Not Required) Qualifications:

• Prior experience supporting international advocacy, policy, or multilateral engagement, including work related to the United Nations (UN) or regional policy processes
• Familiarity with issues related to artistic freedom, censorship, cultural rights, or artist protection
• Experience contributing to grant development, donor reporting, or monitoring and evaluation for international programs
• Comfort working with CRMs, databases, trackers, or basic program management systems
• Prior consultancy experience with international NGOs or nonprofit experience

Application instructions

Please submit the following materials via email to [email protected] with the subject line: “International Programs Consultant – [Your Name]” by February 15, 2026.

Required application materials:

• Short cover letter (1 page maximum) describing your interest in the role and how your experience aligns with ARC’s mission and international programs

• Resume or CV

• Brief writing sample (1-2 pages maximum) demonstrating clear, professional, written communication (e.g., case summary, research memo, advocacy letter, or similar). Writing samples may be previously written, and applicants are encouraged to redact any sensitive or identifying information. We value original thinking; please ensure the sample reflects your own voice and judgment.

Only complete applications will be reviewed. Due to the anticipated volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

No phone calls, please.

Equal Opportunity & Values Statement

Artists at Risk Connection Inc. (ARC) is an equal-opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices. In order to build the strongest possible workforce, it actively seeks a diverse applicant pool. 

ARC is committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable organization. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences, particularly those historically underrepresented in the art, human rights, and nonprofit sectors. ARC does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, or any other protected status. Reasonable accommodations are available throughout the hiring process upon request.