Vacant job

Are you passionate about advancing LGBTQI rights globally and ready to lead an international team? Join RFSL as Head of Program (HoP) within the International Unit and contribute to impactful Global programs supporting LGBTQI communities.

About RFSL and the International Unit

RFSL (the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Rights), founded in 1950, is one of the world's oldest non-profit LGBTQI advocacy organisations working on advancing LGBTQI rights. RFSL’s mission is to ensure that LGBTQI individuals’ human rights are respected both nationally and internationally. Our international work focuses on supporting partner organisations in Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, the Southern Caucasus, the Caribbean, and other regions globally through regranting and partnerships, capacity-strengthening, and facilitating access to international advocacy platforms.

Your role with us

As the Head of Program (HoP), you will oversee, lead, and coordinate two global programmes – the programmes have distinct but complementary focus areas: one primarily centred on advocacy and engagement with international and regional human rights mechanisms, and the other primarily focused on regranting and long-term support to partner organisations. The main activities of the programmes are connected to grantmaking, capacity-strengthening, and global advocacy.

You will oversee the team’s strategic and operational activities while maintaining a collaborative and supportive environment. The role includes supporting team members in their programme implementation, programme and budget oversight, donor relations, and ensuring the well-being of the programme team.

As Head of Program, you will be part of RFSL’s extended management team and contribute to strategic coordination and organisational development across the International Unit and the organisation as a whole.

While you will hold operational leadership responsibilities for the programme team, formal employer and work environment responsibilities rest with the International Director, to whom you will report.

For a full description of the role and key responsibilities, please see our job ad on RFSL’s careers page.

Who are you?

We are looking for a solution-oriented, collaborative, and structured professional with strong leadership, pedagogical skills, and program management experience. You have extensive experience in international development with expertise and passion for advancing the rights of LGBTQI people. You bring excellent interpersonal and empathetic communication skills, enabling you to build trust-based relationships with colleagues, partners, and donors. You have experience leading and supporting teams in a hybrid work environment, ensuring clarity, accountability, and team cohesion across locations and working arrangements.

To succeed in this role, you need:

• A proven track record in programme, leadership, and grant management;
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in international development or civil society organisations, preferably including experience of working in repressive contexts and/or conflict in Asia and Africa;
• Strong financial management and donor relations experience;
• Professional proficiency in English, both spoken and written;
• Experience of working with capacity-strengthening activities and advocacy;
• Proven experience working with LGBTQI movements, including grassroots or small organisations, in the Global South, experience with feminist or other relevant intersecting movements is an advantage;
• Degree in international relations, political science, or related fields, or equivalent experience;
• Experience in team leadership, including task planning and follow-up, in hybrid and/or geographically distributed teams.

Desirable qualifications:

• Conversational proficiency in Swedish;
• Demonstrated understanding of the lived realities and structural conditions affecting LGBTQI people in the Global South, including experience working with movements and organisations in diverse socio-political contexts;
• Familiarity with Swedish development cooperation frameworks;
• Additional language skills beyond English are considered a merit, particularly languages commonly used in Asia or Africa.

Employment terms

• Employment type: Full-time, permanent position.
• Location: RFSL office in Stockholm, with some hybrid work possible. Occasional travel for program activities is expected.
• Start date: As agreed.
• Contract terms: Covered by the Collective Agreement for Nonprofit Organisations.

Our offer

RFSL offers a dynamic and inclusive workplace that values professionalism, growth, and social impact. We provide competitive conditions, including occupational pensions and parental benefits.

Right to work in Sweden and location

The position is based in Stockholm. While RFSL applies a hybrid working model, the role requires the ability to be physically present at the office and at external meetings when needed. We welcome applications from candidates who may require a work permit to work in Sweden; please note that employment can only begin once the permit has been granted. RFSL does not provide financial support for relocation, housing, or work permit application fees, but we offer structured administrative guidance throughout the work permit process to support new colleagues.

How to apply

Applications should be submitted by February 22, 2026. We use anonymous, competency-based recruitment and require a background check and work sample before employment. This recruitment process will be conducted in English.

For inquiries about the position, please contact hiring manager Christian Hellqvist at [email protected]. For recruitment process questions, reach out to HR Partner Tobias Jensen at [email protected].

As a feminist and anti-racist organisation, RFSL strives to be an inclusive workplace for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, sex characteristics, religion, race, ethnicity, country of origin, disability status, age, and other grounds of discrimination. Candidates with diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.