Program & Research Associate

Overview

Salary Range
: $23,000 - $26,000 annually

Reports to: Senior Development & Research Coordinator

Adhikaar, meaning “rights” in Nepali, is a women-led community and workers’ center based in Queens, New York. We provide direct services and organize low-income Nepali-speaking communities from South and Southeast Asia (Nepal, India, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Tibet), and other impacted communities, to advance social justice and human rights.

Founded by working-class immigrant women, Adhikaar is rooted in grassroots leadership, collective action, and building community power. For over 20 years, we have been a trusted home (“maiti ghar”) for our community, supporting workers, advancing dignity, and fighting for systemic change.

The Program & Research Associate is a core member of Adhikaar’s team, supporting community-based Youth and Civic Engagement programs that build political education, leadership, and collective action among immigrant communities. This role is deeply relational and hands-on, combining program coordination, member outreach, storytelling, and data tracking to ensure our work is responsive, accountable, and impactful.

The ideal candidate is grounded in immigrant community experiences, highly organized, and motivated by movement-building. They are comfortable working in a fast-paced, grassroots environment and understand that strong systems, clear communication, and care for the community are essential to sustaining long-term change.

• Program Coordination & Community Engagement:
  Support planning, coordination, and implementation of Youth and Civic Engagement programs rooted in political education and leadership development.
• Prepare agendas, materials, and logistics for meetings, training, and community gatherings; facilitate sessions when appropriate.
• Conduct consistent phone banking and follow-ups to maintain strong relationships with members and stay responsive to community needs.
• Provide in-person program support, including weekends (especially Sundays).
• Participate in coalitions, partnerships, and community spaces with integrity and accountability.
• Storytelling, Communications & Movement Narrative:
  Support the development of program materials, including flyers, short videos, graphics, and reports that reflect community's voice and dignity.
• Collect member stories, testimonials, photos, and videos, including translation and interpretation support when needed.
• Assist with content creation for social media, website updates, and public-facing communications that uplift community leadership.
• Support communications and documentation during live and virtual events.
• Data, Learning & Accountability:
  Collect, organize, and track program data for internal learning, evaluation, and funder reporting.
• Support monthly and quarterly program reports and deliverables tracking.
• Assist with story-based reporting that connects quantitative data to lived experience.
• Conduct donor research and prospecting.
• Provide administrative and programmatic support as needed to ensure smooth day-to-day operations.

• Required
• Deep alignment with Adhikaar’s mission, values, and immigrant-led, community-centered approach.
• Strong understanding of immigrant, working-class, and/or youth experiences in the U.S.
• Awareness of the current political and social landscape impacting immigrant communities.
• At least 1 year of experience in community organizing, grassroots nonprofits, or service-based work (volunteer experience welcomed).
• Strong communication, coordination, and follow-through skills.
• Ability to work independently while being accountable to a collective team process.
• Comfort working in-person with diverse immigrant communities.
• Proficiency in Google Drive, Canva, and basic digital tools for documentation and reporting.
• Must be 18 years or older.
• Must be eligible to work in the US.

• Bilingual in Nepali and English.
• Additional language skills (Tibetan or Indigenous languages from the Nepali diaspora).
• Experience with data tracking, spreadsheets, or basic database systems.
• Familiarity with social media platforms and community-centered digital storytelling.
• Experience working in immigrant-led…