Thailand: Earth Rights Defenders Coordinator

Early applications encouraged, as the position may fill earlier than the deadline. EarthRights International (ERI) will continue accepting applications past the deadline if the position is not filled.

Job Summary:

The Earth Rights Defenders (ERD) Coordinator position comprises two core components: (1) develop, enhance, and implement systems to address the physical, digital, and legal security needs of ERI’s staff, students, alumni, networks, and allies, particularly in the Mekong Region of Southeast Asia, as well as our US and Amazon offices, and (2) engage in international advocacy to create a strong security environment for Earth Rights Defenders around the world.

Qualifications:

The Coordinator must have 2-3 years or more experience and a demonstrated success working with human rights or environmental defenders, preferably in Southeast Asia. Candidates should ideally have:

• Familiarity with ERD issues that arise in Southeast Asia, particularly the challenges and opportunities facing local and national campaigners and lawyers;
• Experience working with networks of grassroots activists, NGOs, CBOs, and academics;
• Experience working with and relating to indigenous peoples and threatened populations;
• Demonstrated commitment to human rights and/or environmental protection and a deep understanding of their interrelationship;
• Familiarity integrating security and campaign strategies;
• Excellent interpersonal and intercultural communication skills and experience working with multicultural teams;
• Excellent oral communication and the ability to participate in public speaking events;
• Excellent written communication, research, and organizational skills;
• Self-motivated, work well under pressure and be able to handle several projects at one time;
• Comfortable with the responsibility of helping ERD to work in difficult political spaces;
• Good judgment and a sense of humor;
• Fluent in English

Preferred additional qualifications:

• A track record of developing and implementing physical, legal, and digital security systems for organizations;
• A deep understanding of the political context in Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and/or Vietnam;
• Knowledge of the issues facing Earth Rights Defenders in the Amazon region;
• International advocacy campaign skills;
• Experience working with communities;
• Experience working with donors;
• Ability to speak one or more Southeast Asian language;
• Comfortable enough with technology to implement digital security procedures or supervise a consultant doing so

Responsibilities:

Management and Administration

• Help develop and implement program goals, strategies and work plans in line with ERI’s mission and strategic plan in consultation with the Mekong & Myanmar Programs Director;
• Assist the Mekong and Myanmar Programs Director to assess physical, legal and digital risks to ERI staff and partners;
• Develop and oversee budgets for particular projects as instructed by the Mekong & Myanmar Programs Director;
• Assist the Mekong and Myanmar Programs and Campaigns Directors to report to the ERI Board and donors;
• Provide report and proposal writing support to the Development Team;
• Along with ERI’s staff, help with collective administrative and office work duties

Building networks and mentoring champions of best practice

· Assist coordination of ERI’s ERD strategic activities and meetings;

· Provide capacity building, mentoring and advice on physical, legal and digital security to ERI staff, EarthRights School Alumni and ERI partners;

· Collaborate with ERD in ERI’s network to design and implement sustainable practices in physical, legal and digital security

Research/writing:

• Contribute to ERD publications and research and write reports, risk assessment papers, briefing papers, and other written material that contribute to ERI’s mission and strategic plan and the progression of project goals;
• Coordinate the provision of ERI’s advice and inputs to other NGOs, activists and networks;
• Supervise ERD research conducted by consultants, student fellows, interns and volunteers

Advocacy and outreach:

• Help identify emerging risks for ERD and devise innovative context specific solutions for protecting ERD, and develop and coordinate efforts to implement them;
• Coordinate ERI’s ERD advocacy in national, regional and international fora;
• Contribute to ERD publications and research and write reports, strategic option papers, briefing papers, and other written material that contribute to ERI’s mission and strategic plan and the progression of project goals;
• Help develop partnerships with other NGOs and activists to advance advocacy goals;
• Speak on behalf of ERI on legal issues to policy makers, academics, businesses, media and other earth rights stakeholders at conferences and meetings

Training:

• Assist ERI’s Mekong and Myanmar School staff develop, deliver and revise training materials on ERD security;
• Develop curriculum materials to promote ERD understanding and risk management in the region;
• Organize and conduct ERD policy trainings in multiple forums across the region

Communication

• Draft or review program materials and publications, and develop program/project content for the ERI website;
• Conduct public relations, outreach and media activities related to project, as requested by Mekong & Myanmar Programs Director;
• Support to the Communications Team’s initiatives and activities, including writing materials for ERI’s website in consultation with the Communications Team

We offer:

• a competitive, non-profit sector, salary
• medical insurance coverage
• annual & post-employment resettlement benefit
• paid vacation, sick and personal days
• a casual, and fun, work environment

To apply: Submit cover letter, resume, writing sample, and a list of at least three references to: apply-sea@earthrights.org