Protection International (PI) is seeking to recruit a Advocacy Officer in Thailand supporting advocacy tasks.
PI is an international non-profit organization researching strategies and security management tools that protect human rights defenders and sharing its expertise in this area with people at risk for their human rights work all around the world. PI sees human rights defenders as agents of change who form a pillar of free and just societies. In many parts of the world, HRDs face threats from state and non-state actors for their human rights work. PI works with human rights defenders to develop strategies tailored to their profile and context.
The role
The Advocacy Officer works with partners (human rights organisations, communities and individual human rights defenders) in developing advocacy strategies to improve their own protection. PI has been working with partners focussing on issues related to community-based human rights defenders (HRDs) in contexts of exploitation of natural resources. The Advocacy Officer is part of a team of four and reports to the PI Representative in Thailand. Although the position is based in Bangkok, (s)he travels regularly within the country.
Main responsibilities
- Monitor on a daily basis the situation of community based HRDs and develop appropriate and effective responses to their security protection in coordination with PI Representative;
- Contribute to the documentation of human rights violations in Thailand for advocacy initiatives;
- Analyse public policies regarding HRDs protection and other human rights mechanisms at national and international level in order to provide briefings to key actors, as the need arises;
- Carry out advocacy activities and produce advocacy-oriented communication materials in coordination with the PI Representative in Thailand and PI Advocacy team at headquarters;
- Liaise with community-based HRDs and build their capacity to advocate with local and international stakeholders;
- Propose adaptations of PI’s Training Manual for Human Rights Defenders according to specific requirements of local, national and regional context;
- Report on advocacy activities (including on their evaluation and to propose any recommendations on possible adaptations);
- Liaise with regional, national and/or local HRD organisations with a view to establishing or reinforcing relationships and possibly developing partnerships;
- Liaise with international Non-Governmental Organisations and international bodies working on the protection of human rights defenders in the region;
- Collaborate and prepare reports for the PI Representative in Thailand on programmatic and thematic topics as well as other requests;
- Assist with English translations and drafting of reports in English;
- Prepare regular updates to PI website and share electronically relevant information;
- Hand in, in a timely manner, financial reports related to the Advocacy Officer’s activities under supervision of the Office Manager in Bangkok;
- Contribute to the development of the organisation’s security plan, update it and abide by it;
- Keep abreast of the political situation in the country and contribute to the organizational political analysis.
Skills & Experience
- University degree in law, human rights, political science, social sciences or related field;
- 3-5 years of work experience in developing and implementing advocacy strategies in Thailand or in the region ;
- Experience in human rights work in Thailand or the region;
- Excellent knowledge of political processes and experience working with civil society groups to advocate for change;
- Excellent research skills, including the ability to find, analyze, synthesize, and present information;
- Good communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships;
- Excellent spoken and written English, ability to speak/read in Thai a strong asset;
- High adaptability and ability to work independently and under stress in a sensitive environment;
- Creativity/Initiative and good team player;
- Proficient in Microsoft Windows applications, Excel format and power point;
- Command of wordpress software a strong asset;
- Available for travel and flexible working hours.
The offer
One year contract (renewable) with a three months’ probation period.
To apply for the position please send your resume, cover letter and names and contact details of 2 references before 11 January 2015 to the following email: recruitment [at] protectioninternational.org” href=”mailto:recruitment [at] protectioninternational.org“>recruitment [at] protectioninternational.org including in the subject line: “Application for Advocacy Officer in Thailand”. Interviews are scheduled to be held in the week of 19-23 January, 2015. Starting date is planned for 2nd February, 2015.
Include your name in the file name of your application documents, e.g. John_Smith_CV.doc. Do not attach any certificates or references at this stage of the recruitment process.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
