Vacancy Announcement

[Bandana Pattanaik]

Vacancy: Programme Officer Southeast Asia

Location:  GAATW-International Secretariat (Bangkok, Thailand) with significant travel to different countries

 About us:

 The Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women (GAATW) is a progressive think-tank, and cutting-edge Alliance committed to work for changes in the political, economic, social and legal systems and structures which contribute to the persistence of trafficking in persons and other human rights violations in the context of migratory movements for diverse purposes, including security of labour and livelihood.

 We promote a human rights approach in working towards our mission to defend the rights and safety of all migrants and their families against the threats of an increasingly globalised and informal labour market.

 We have member organisations based in different parts of the world. The International Secretariat (GAATW-IS) is based in Bangkok, Thailand, and has a small and very committed team of people. The GAATW-IS currently works on themes of Access to Justice, Accountability and Power in Migration and Work. We also publish a bi-annual peer reviewed journal, the Anti-Trafficking Review. While member organisations work with women, children and men, GAATW-IS has always focussed on the rights of adult women in the context of labour migration.

 For more information, please see: www.gaatw.org

 GAATW-IS’ Work in Southeast Asia: GAATW currently has 17 member organisations in six Southeast Asian countries. Through a few thematic projects we have focussed on a range of issues around human trafficking and migration in this region. Our work has included action research on migrant workers’ and trafficked persons’ access to justice, and exploring how self-organising among sex workers has enabled them to address exploitation and abuse. Typically, our projects carry out research in collaboration with member and partner organisations with a view to steer advocacy at national, regional and international level. GAATW-IS has just started a new project that aims to reduce trafficking in persons in Asia through a more effective regional response that addresses human trafficking risks, provides appropriate responses that transcend borders, and protects the rights of vulnerable and trafficked persons. As part of this project we will be working in conjunction with several members and partners in the ASEAN region to steer evidence based advocacy, including policy advocacy.

 The selected candidate’s work will focus on the above mentioned project and other organisational tasks at the IS.

 Key Responsibilities:

 Oversee the implementation of the project activities as per the project agreement;

Coordinate research activities with research institutions and research advisors and provide mentoring support to external researchers;

Carry out desk and field research on trafficking and related topics, prepare reports as well as other dissemination documents;

Coordinate and support strategic CSO interventions in regional advocacy arenas on women’s rights, human trafficking, migration and labour rights;

Maintain communication with the donor and prepare reports in compliance with the project agreement;

Organise and participate in project meetings;

Work closely with the Communications and Advocacy Team to develop common advocacy positions and collaborative activities with members and CSO partners.

Required Knowledge and Experience:

 

Post-graduate degree in social sciences including women’s studies, political science, sociology and law;

Critical understanding of the current labour migration regime in Southeast Asia and the way it impacts on the rights of all workers, especially women migrant workers;

At least three years of experience in managing projects at regional level;

Knowledge of ASEAN instruments, including the Anti-Trafficking Convention and experience with engaging in ASEAN platforms;

Experience with working with CSOs and international agencies in the region;

Excellent networking skills and experience of facilitating multi-disciplinary steering groups and networks; 

Excellent command of the English language, both oral and written;

Ability to communicate well in one or two ASEAN languages is an advantage.

Competencies:

 

Ability to analyse, research and/or abridge diverse information from varied sources;

Ability to work strategically and respectfully with diverse stakeholders towards a key objective, i.e. familiarity with working effectively with both government representatives as well as civil society organisations;

Accountability and the ability to deliver on agreed tasks to a high standard;

Ability to work independently and to meet deadlines;

Ability to work in a multicultural environment and with people from a diversity of regions, professional backgrounds and levels of authority;

Willingness to travel, as required.

Term, Remuneration and Benefits

 

Duration: Two-year contract (six months’ probation period), with the possibility of extension.

 

Monthly Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and work experience in the relevant field, in the range of THB 50 000-60 000 (approx. USD 1,500-1800) per month, and additional benefits, such as contributions to employee provident fund, house rent allowance, medical benefits, relocation allowance and reimbursement of one-way air fare to take up the position in Bangkok, if relocating to Bangkok.

 

Recruitment Process

 

Deadline for receiving applications: 1 August 2017

 

Shortlisted candidates will be notified by 15 August 2017

 

Interviews and written exam will be conducted tentatively in the week of 28 August.

 

Position to start: latest by 1 November 2017

 

How to apply

 

Please send your application (CV, a writing sample, names of two referees who can be contacted at a later stage and a cover letter detailing why you are interested in this position and how your experience makes you a suitable candidate) with the subject line Programme Officer Southeast Asia by email to [e-mail] by 1 August 2017. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.