Job Announcement

Position Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network Officer
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Employment Duration: 10 months contract renewable subject to successful performance evaluation and fundraising.
Subject to 3 months probation at the beginning of contract Salary & Benefits
A competitive salary in local currency will be offered according to the successful candidate’s experience and qualifications
Health and Accidental Insurance
Relocation allowance
Round trip air ticket
Closing date 18 September 2009
Interview Dates 19-20 September 2009

About the Organisation

As a membership-based regional human rights organisation, FORUM-ASIA works to promote and protect all human rights including the right to development through collaboration and cooperation among human rights defenders and organisations in Asia.

Founded in 1991, FORUM-ASIA is committed to building an alternative society that is peaceful, just, equitable and ecologically sustainable; where all human rights of all individuals, groups and peoples - in particular, the poor, marginalised and discriminated people - are fully respected and realised in accordance with internationally accepted human rights norms and standards.

FORUM-ASIA, as a NGO in Consultative Status with the UN, also advocates human rights issues through engagement with governments, inter-governmental organisations and the UN for better promotion and protection of all human rights.

FORUM-ASIA presently has 46 member organisations across Asia and it has offices in Bangkok, Thailand and Geneva, Switzerland.

Summary of the Programme
FORUM-ASIA is a founding member and host organisation of the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN). The APRRN is a growing network of more than 100 civil society organisations and individuals committed to advancing the rights of refugees in the Asia Pacific Region through information sharing, mutual capacity building and joint advocacy. The APRRN Steering Committee, under the leadership of the Steering Committee Coordinator, provides strategic and policy direction to the APRRN.

Duties and Responsibilities
The Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Officer shall report to the Steering Committee Coordinator of the APRRN, and shall:

Common Tasks
• Implement the plans of the APRRN, providing administrative support for its activities
• Organise the annual/biannual Asia Pacific Consultation on Refugee Rights
• Maintain and improve effective, regular and secure communication amongst APRRN members (including email lists and monthly bulletins)
• Build and maintain the membership of the APRRN, creating consultative mechanisms to assist the Steering Committee in decision-making as well as ensuring up to date records of membership
• Facilitate the development of common advocacy positions and collaborative activities on key issues in the region for joint advocacy
• Liaise with external partners and stakeholders of the APRRN, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
• Coordinate strategic interventions in regional and international refugee policy-setting arenas
• Develop capacity building programmes and shared resources to support the work of APRRN members in advocating for refugee rights
• Write, submit and implement funding proposals for key activities of the APRRN
• Maintain the public relations of the APRRN, including serving as a focal point for queries, maintaining the website, coordinating press releases and organising public events

Basic Qualifications and Criteria Education:
1. Bachelor’s degree or higher, preferably in law, politics, international relations, development or social science disciplines
2. Some formal training in human rights and/or refugee rights

Competence:
1. Mature personality; ability to work in a multicultural setting and in a demanding working environment with cross programme coordination
2. Diplomatic, tactful, and thoughtful in speech and conduct; good social and communication skills; builds rapport easily
3. Reliable, self-motivated, disciplined, positive in outlook
4. Able to work under pressure and to manage a team in order to meet deadlines
5. Flexible in thinking an action; able to respond to unexpected demands and challenges
6. Strong technical aptitude and expertise with MS office tools (including knowledge of Microsoft Office suite of products: Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
7. Able to train and supervise new associates (interns/volunteers) with clarity regarding output quality and deadline.
8. Ability to work as part of a team under the direction of team leaders to meet agreed upon goals

Experience:
1. Minimum three years work experience in promoting and protecting the human rights of forced migrants (refugees, internally displaced persons and/or stateless persons) and/or providing humanitarian assistance to these populations, preferably both at the national level in the Asia Pacific region and in regional/international contexts
2. Experience in developing advocacy positions and/or conducting policy research
3. Experience liaising with the UNHCR, international human rights and humanitarian NGOs, and working closely with national NGOs and community-based organisations focusing on the rights of refugees and other forced migrants
4. Experience in consulting with multiple partners in different contexts in order to design and implement coordinated responses
5. Understands the overall socio-political situation as well as human rights situation in the Asia Pacific region.
6. Experience writing funding proposals and managing the implementation of funding agreements.

Skills:
1. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills both in oral and written English, and preferably an Asian language
2. Strong communication, research and analytical skills and the ability to rapidly analyse and integrate diverse information from varied sources
3. Strong ability to harness and maintain good relations with external stakeholders, the UNHCR, and other relevant institutions and civil society organisations
4. Strong project management and coordination skills; able to manage projects involving a number of stakeholders in different countries

Application Procedure
Those who are interested in the job are requested to fill in the Job Application Form and return the form by email together with a self-introduction letter and names and contact details of two referees with knowledge of your recent work experience who may be contacted immediately without further notice.

More information on FORUM-ASIA can be obtained at www.forum-asia.org
Kindly send your application to:
[email][email protected] with a copy to [email][email protected] before 18 September 2009
The successful candidate will be contacted for an interview after 18 September 2009 and the interview may include a written or practical test.