Position: Human Rights Research and Advocacy Officer
Location: Bangkok, Thailand (Relocation required)
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week)
Period: 1 November 2023 – 31 October 2025 (Fixed term contract)
Duration of contract: 2 year
About APTN
Since it was founded in 2009, APTN has grown to become a credible platform and voice for transgender people in Asia and the Pacific, working to ensure that their needs and rights are respected and fulfilled politically, socially, culturally and economically. The network serves as a platform for transgender people to advocate for the right to the highest attainable standard of health, legal gender recognition and legislative reform, human rights, and social and gender justice, as well as to exchange information and strategies with each other.
About Human Rights Research & Advocacy Officer Position
APTN is currently seeking to expand the team to assist with the ongoing advocacy work. Through the expanded team structure, APTN seeks to build on its ongoing advocacy work and broaden the scope of its advocacy portfolio, including systematic monitoring of and evidence based research on human rights violation, development of advocacy toolkits to assist the national advocacy work of APTN country partners and the broader community of trans human rights defenders, regular sharings of updates on legislative and policy changes in the region, development of thematic papers on emerging issues, response to urgent issues as well as increased engagement with the global and regional gender justice and human rights accountability mechanisms and development frameworks, including United Nations (UN) .
APTN is seeking to recruit a Human Rights Research & Advocacy Officer to work closely with the Human Rights Research & Advocacy Officer to aid in addressing some of the complex human rights issues faced by trans and gender diverse people in the Asia-Pacific region. Details of the roles and responsibilities of this position are provided below:
Job Profile
Key roles & responsibilities for the Human Rights Research & Advocacy Officer are provided below:
- Assist the Human Rights & Advocacy Manager (HRAM) in developing and implementing the Advocacy Framework according to APTN strategic plan;
- Co-lead with HRAM in coordination of APTN’s research projects, including shaping research methodology, finding analysis, and report development;
- Co-lead with HRAM and support in the coordination of APTN’s research projects in wide range of topics, including transphobic hate crimes, conversion therapy practices, regional reviews of legal and policy trends related to trans and gender diverse people, regional mapping of access to trans competent healthcare, and regional mapping of trans led organisation and movements;
- Co-lead with HRAM or assist in drafting and distributing thematic reports, briefing papers, advocacy toolkits, letters, press release, op-eds and other submissions to UN human rights and development related bodies;
- Present human rights concerns of transgender people in public forums, international, regional, and national meetings, if assigned by HRAM;
- Liaise with APTN country partners and staff to ensure effective coordination and delivery of advocacy activities;
- Assist in the preparation of technical reports and publications;
- Assist in development and conducting capacity building training and workshops related to human rights and advocacy for trans and gender diverse people;
- Coordinate with APTN’s communications team on the development and dissemination of knowledge resources as needed;
- Assist in developing abstracts/session proposals for submission to relevant conferences, and powerpoint presentations needed for meetings/workshops/conferences;
- Assist the development and implementation of an engagement strategy with the Trans Advocacy Week, human rights mechanisms such as UPR and UN treaty monitoring bodies, UN IE on SOGIESC and etc;
- Assist in the administrative, procurement, payments and travel arrangements;
- Coordinate and support the development of quarterly newsletters/resource sheets on legal/policy development in the region around trans rights;
- Draft general and urgent correspondence and responses to enquiries and field requests for information;
- Travel in the region and internationally, when assigned by the Human Rights & Advocacy Manager and;
- Other relevant tasks as assigned by Human Rights & Advocacy Manager and the Executive Director and/or project leads.
Prerequisite
- Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills and good knowledge to independently conduct human rights related research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the Internet, intranet and other databases;
- Good knowledge of training methodology as well as devising and delivering training materials;
- Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems;
- Ability to apply justification in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities;
- Shows pride in work and in achievements;
- Ability to work with people with different genders, sexual orientation, race, nationalities, ages, religions, cultures, etc.;
- Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter;
- Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns;
- Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges;
- Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of it in all areas of work.
Desired Qualifications
- University degree and/or equivalent experience in Human Rights, Sociology, Law, Health, Community Mobilization, and/or Public Policy or other relevant field;
- Minimum of 3 years of work experience in research centering advancing human rights of marginalised communities, highlighting rights-based perspectives of social issues, as well as advocacy for human rights and social justice, and project management;
- Documented experience working with trans people led organisations and/or, or the issues related to human rights, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) issues and challenges faced by the transgender community;
- Experience of working with community based organisations is highly preferred;
- Engagement with UN, and other international rights entities on human rights issues will be an asset;
- Experience working in regional non-profit organisation will be an asset;
- Excellent written, verbal, organisational, analytical, and interpersonal skills;
- Excellent computer skills, proficient in Microsoft Office;
- Proficiency with social media is a strong asset;
- Language Requirement: Fluency in written and spoken English is essential;
- Excellent listening and communication skills with sensitivity to cultural communication differences;
- Show discretion and ability to handle confidential issues;
- High level of self-motivation and at ease working independently when necessary;
- Poised, works well under pressure, and attentive to detail;
- Willing to grow and learn from experiences;
- Flexibility and willingness to work simultaneously on a wide range of tasks and projects and ability to prioritize tasks;
- Pleasant, diplomatic manner, and disposition in interacting with co-workers, partners, and the general public;
- Fluency in written and verbal English is required. Ability to speak and write in one of the local languages of APTN priority countries will be an asset.
Salary
1,800 – 2,000 USD per month (commensurate with experience).
Remuneration and duration of contract: This is a full time position on a renewable 12-month contract. Contract renewal is dependent on performance (with a probation period of 6 months) and the availability of funding. Short-listed applicants will receive specific information about the salary range.
How to Apply?
Please submit to apply@weareaptn.org your CV, 1 writing sample, a cover letter demonstrating your relevant working experiences, and your motivation working in this position by 25 September 2023. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted and informed about the next stages of recruitment.
APTN is an Equal Opportunities Employer. APTN adheres to a fair recruitment process, regardless of any individual or group characteristics, including gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, sex characteristics, race, age, disability, ability, economic status, national origin, religion, ethnicity, and historical, cultural and geographic experiences.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, intersex persons, transgender and gender non-binary persons, and persons from the Global South are especially encouraged to apply. Only qualified candidates will be notified.